Ellington

Woman sentenced for Pablo shooting

By MEGAN STRICKLAND

Mariners battle to the brink

By JOHN HEGLIE 

Public comment sought on tourney

From Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

Breastfeeding events hel

From the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes 

Community notes

“NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM” 

Lakeshore erosion lawsuit slated for separate trials

By MEGAN STRICKLAND

Mission Valley Senior Center Ronan

By ALBERTA BLAKE

Renovations, new events will greet fair-goers

By MEGAN STRICKLAND

Massive fly-in slated for Polson

On July 27, pilots of powered hang gliders, otherwise known as “trikes”, from all across the United States, will converge at the Polson Airport for North America’s largest fly-in of this type of aircraft. Anyone interested in light-sport flight is welcome to visit the airport, view the aircraft, take introductory flight to experience the thrill and beauty of open cockpit flight, or sign up for lessons to become a licensed pilot.

Biological Station to hold open house

The Flathead Lake Biological Station will hold an open house on Aug. 3 from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.

Library hosts food drive

CEO touts operation of dam

As we at Energy Keepers, Inc. approach the completion of our first year of operations of the Selis Ksanka Qlispe (SKQ) Project, formerly Kerr Dam, we are proud to reflect on our accomplishments. 

Convicted animal abuser facing new charges for alleged cruelty to cattle her

By MEGAN STRICKLAND

Native voter registration group to visit Flathead Reservatio

from Western Native Voice 

Majority leader dissapointed in veto

There has been a lot of talk about infrastructure since the last Montana legislative session.

St. Ignatius festival brings a good old time

By Marla Hall

Among other things: Major wildfires are still possible

DORIS I. NELSON BUSWELL

Doris I. Nelson Buswell, 92, of Helena died Tuesday, July 19, of natural causes. Born on January 1, Doris liked to share with others that she was the first baby born in Helena in 1924. She was a graduate of Helena High School in 1941 and worked for the telephone company for many years following high school. Doris married Grant W. Buswell on December 1, 1951. They raised a family of six children together on a small ranch outside of Helena where they also raised Arabian horses.

LIBERTY DUPUIS BOWER

A celebration of life for Liberty Dupuis Bower, 96, who died May 22 will be at 1 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Lake Mortuary and Crematory, 101 Sixth Ave. E., Polson. A gathering at the family home will follow at 35043 Courville Trail, Polson. Call (623) 236-5993 for further information.

Young cowboy says thanks

Dear Leader,

Lake County District Court

Area Agency on Aging

At this time of year in The Area VI Agency on Aging, we usually have several clients walk in with the same look in their eyes. Family members come to visit in the prime of our beautiful summer season, and find that their parent/relative/friend who lives here is struggling with the limitations of advancing age. We can help identify resources available in the area, and also financial assistance they may not be aware of.

Ruling may not affect water compact

By SAM WILSON

Tribal biologists request swan information

Wildlife Biologists with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes began a project to restore trumpeter swans as a resident species on the Flathead Indian Reservation in the mid-1990s. Subsequent efforts resulted in the release of 258 captive bred trumpeter swans since 2002, which has resulted in at least 100 successful nesting attempts that have produced 294 fledgling cygnets to date. Most of the nesting success has occurred on the Flathead Indian Reservation, but nesting swans that originated from the restoration project have also nested near Eureka during the past three years, and others that likely originated from the project have nested at Glacier National Park, Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge and elsewhere in the Flathead Valley and north toward British Columbia. Thus far, the project has proved to be very successful in restoring this native species to northwestern Montana as a viable breeding population.

Port Polson Players presents Shadows on Oak Island

The Port Polson Players in association with the Mission Valley Friends of the Arts continue their 41st season of Summer Theatre with the gripping psychological thriller

Jaden Everette Heavy Runner

Jaden Everette Heavy Runner was born June 24 at the Nesting Place in Providence St. Joseph Medical Center. He was 20 and ¾ inches and weighed 9 pounds, 15 ounces.

Starkey baby girl arrives

Dahlia Crystal Starkel was born June 23, 2016 at the Nesting Place at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson. She was 20 inches and weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces.

Tripp Ryan Parker

Ella Parker is excited to announce the birth of her brother, Tripp Ryan Parker. He was born June 4, 2016 at the Nesting Place in St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson.

Authors to sign books at North Lake County library

Three Montana authors will read and sign their books at North Lake County Public Library on Tuesday evening, July 26, at 7 p.m.  Everyone is invited to attend.

Cherry Festival brings people from far and wide to Polson's streets

By MICHAEL BEHNING

Man sentenced for seventh DUI

Man questions recent operation of Kerr Dam

Editor,

Irrigation commissioner gives update on meeting

On Monday, July 11, the Flathead Irrigation District board held its third regular meeting since the May election. 

Community notes

FAIR ENTRIES

Lake County District Court

FROM THE BENCH OF JAMES A. MANLEY, July 13:

Longtime Ronan superintendent retires

Vice-principal steps into position 

Waffle-loving grizzly put down near Ferndale; cubs captured

From Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks 

Bison Range transfer gets positive reviews

By SAM WILSON

County to reconsider prosecution of tribal members' felony cases

By MEGAN STRICKLAND

Huckleberry Patch opens in Arlee

Commission studying proposed Bison Range agreement

By MEGAN STRICKLAND

Ronan student receives top scholarship

Area softball squads wrap up summer slate at State

By JOHN HEGLIE

Community Notes

From the Lake County MSU Ag Extension Office

In the June 2016 issue of the Monthly Weed Post, a Montana State University Extension bulletin, author Jane Mangold highlights a research study that examines if invasive plants such as knapweed can be a friend or foe to pollinators. The study set out to determine how pollinator communities are affected by an invasive plant common to Montana and elsewhere, spotted knapweed. Researchers at Montana State University studied how density and growth stage of spotted knapweed affected pollinators. Another study investigated impacts of spotted knapweed on reproduction of the native forb hairy goldenaster, this species shares many pollinators with spotted knapweed and their flowering periods overlap for six weeks.

Arlee High School honor roll

Honor Roll: 3.3 and above GPA

Ask the judge: 2nd Amendment

Since the senseless massacre in Orlando, there has been a lot of discussion about gun control. This leads to questions regarding the Second Amendment. The purpose of this article is to look at the history behind the Second Amendment and the current debate surrounding the Second Amendment. The Second Amendment to the Constitution states: A well- regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Doctors head to Mission Valley

Lake County Leader 

Helicopter crashes near Yellow Bay

No one was injured in a helicopter crash near the Yellow Bay area over the weekend, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. 

Prisoner faces new drug charges after funeral incident

A Lake County jail inmate is facing new charges after officers stopped him from swallowing a condom at his father’s funeral that allegedly contained heroin, drug paraphernalia and money. 

Family very grateful for fundraiser, community suppor

We write this message with humble and heartfelt gratitude to community, friends, and family for supporting us at the June 25 fundraiser with donations, bidding, and all other forms of generosity. Special thanks to Mandy and Joel Belcourt for their generous donations and for organizing the event. Thank you, Bill Swaney, for your humor and auctioneering. Thanks to the kitchen help who not only worked all day feeding people but also provided the delicious Indian tacos and fixings. The financial assistance, prayers, and caring shown have eased some worries and placed more focus on staying positive. 

Wreck prosecution disheartening

In Polson, on March 2 of this year, my car was struck by a driver, sending me into another vehicle. I was injured and my car was a total loss. Prior to the collision there were calls made to Lake County Dispatch, by concerned motorists reporting this erratic driver, who minutes later caused the accident. The authorities were advised. 

Among other things: Remembering Thelma Haight

During my lengthy tenure as editor of The Flathead Courier of Polson, my favorite columnist was Thelma Haight. In 1972 the Courier published Thelma’s book, “How to Alienate Friends … and Win Enemies!’

E-mail hacking linked to foreign aggression?

Bailey, Schinski to wed

Denny Ingraham

DENNY EARL INGRAHAM

Richard "Dick" Lee Thurston

RICHARD “DICK” LEE THURSTON

George Henry Bostwick

GEORGE HENRY BOSTWICK

Lake County Justice Court

From the bench of Justice of the Peace Randal Owens:

Lake County District Court

FROM the bench of Deborah Kim Christopher, July 7:

Students transform in Charlo

Charlo Schools gymnasium is usually full of well-mannered farm girls and boys, but at the end of June, mythical beasts and creatures ran wild throughout its hallways.

Water flowing again after massive blowout

Water is once more flowing to farms and ranches near Charlo following a washout that dried up ditches for three weeks and cut off irrigators during the middle of an otherwise productive year for crops.

Cherry Festival has ripe history

Polson’s annual Cherry Festival started with an idea from downtown business owner, Jackie Cripe, who wanted to showcase the gorgeous small-town atmosphere of Polson and the quaint downtown storefronts she knew tourists loved to visit.

High court denies rapists appeal

The Montana Supreme Court has denied the appeal of a Polson man whose public defender found that he had no basis for appealing a 2014 conviction for sexually assaulting an ex-girlfriend.

Convicted murderer asks for new trial

A Ronan man serving life without parole for killing raping and killing his cousin at Wild Horse Hot Springs in May 2013 has asked the Montana Supreme Court for new trial and for $35,000 in public defender’s fees to be reconsidered.

Cherry harvest runs ahead of schedule

One person dies in Swan Highway crash

Fourth of July Parade

Fire works

Weekend fires

Sunday afternoon in the park, you'd think it was 4th of July

NRA Rodeo draws big crowd

118th Arlee Powwow Youth Grand Entry

Hendrix Wayne Wooton

 Sarah and Ryan Wooton are proud to announce the birth of their son, Hendrix Wayne Wooton, born June 16 in Kauai, Hawaii. Hendrix weighed 8 pounds, 13 ounces. Maternal grandparents are Dave and Connie Bull, great grandparents are Fred and Kathi Bull. Paternal grandparents are Bob and Louisa Wooton.

Jewell Patricia (McBride) Anderson

Jewell Patricia (McBride) Anderson, 98, resident of the Montana Masonic Home, Helena, passed away on June 23.  She was with a number of her family during her final days.  Jewell was born July 22, 1917 in Lambert, Montana.  She was the daughter of Benjamin McBride and Amanda (Stoick) McBride.  The McBrides relocated to Missoula where Jewell began her early education in the elementary schools.  Jewell completed her formal education as a graduate of Missoula County High School in 1936.  Upon graduation she attended Montana State University-Missoula (University of Montana), taking great interest in music, as well as participating in the social aspects of the college.  Pledging Sigma Kappa sorority was a high point. 

Ronan Middle School Honor Roll

Area Softball Sparkles at 2016 Capital City Classic

By JOHN HEGLIE 

Area softball players hold own fireworks show at tournaments

    While most area softball teams were idle over the Independence Day holiday, a segment of players were participating in tournaments much like some of their baseball counterparts.

Mariners Sparkle during Firecracker Tourney

Quilts on display during Mission Mountain Quilts Guild show

Come see the Mission Mountain Quilt Guild’s 2016 quilt show held Thursday, July 28 through Saturday, July 30 at the K. William Harvey Elementary School gym. 

Gayle lynn Brown Brueggeman

Berniece may “Auntie bea” Upham-Atkinson

Berniece May “Auntie Bea” Upham-Atkinson, age 104, passed away on Wednesday, June 29 at her residence in Creston. She was born on May 23, 1912 in Polson, the daughter of Herbert LeRoy and Stella May (Pengra) Upham. 

Tribes host meeting on proposed transfer

Tribal spokesman explains tax burden under Bison Range transfer

As a resident and taxpayer of Lake County and a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, I appreciate the Lake County Commission’s interest in the National Bison Range and the ongoing dialogue between Lake County and Tribal leadership on that issue. However, I was disappointed by the some of the information conveyed in Lake County Commissioner Gale Decker’s guest column, in the June 30 Lake County Leader, regarding the Tribes’ draft National Bison Range restoration legislation. I think it is important to correct some of the claims made by Mr. Decker so that the public is not left confused.

Mayor encourages participation in project planning

The Polson City Commission would like to hear from you. Last year the Commission enacted an Economic Development Council (EDC), and one of their first projects was to take a look at how we might be able to make some improvements to our streets, which has continued to be a primary concern of our citizens. Our budget available for these activities is low (about $100,000 per year) and the costs of construction and maintenance are high (I’ve been told roughly $300,000 for one full block to be built). 

Ruling on water compact wanted

Man files lawsuit against Ronan Police Department

A man once charged with felony assault on a police officer has sued the Ronan Police officer who arrested him after the Lake County Attorney’s Office dropped the assault case. 

High court denies St. Ignatius man's appeal in child abuse case

The Montana Supreme Court has denied an appeal by a St. Ignatius man serving a 35-year prison sentence for severely abusing a child in Great Falls in January 2013. 

Montana Avalance brings home gold

The Missoula-based Montana Avalanche brought home the gold in the recent 2016 Capital City Classic in the 14 U Division. Team members with local ties include Coach Clint Hardy and Grace Hardy (Charlo), Destiny Manuel (Ronan), Josie Caye (Polson) and Morgan Holmes (Ronan). 

2016 Polson Junior Golf Camp scores

The 2016 Junior Golf Camp in Polson was a resounding success with more than 120 kids participating in this free camp. 

Community Calendar

Fundraising campaign aims to help victims

In just one day, a fundraising campaign has raised nearly $4,000 for five family members who were burned after their boat exploded during a camping trip to Swan Lake over the Fourth of July weekend.

1 dead, 5 injured in Lake County accidents

One man is dead in Arlee after he rolled his truck and became pinned underneath it, according to a Montana Highway Patrol report.