Ellington

Man receives prison time for strangling girlfriend

Man denies pulling gun on strangers

A 21-year-old man accused of threatening two people with a gun in St. Ignatius pleaded not guilty in Lake County District Court last week to felony assault with a weapon. 

Inmate receives prison time for biting jail guard, smuggling drugs

A former Lake County Jail inmate received a five-year prison sentence for assaulting a detention officer while attempting to conceal a package of drugs. 

Man denies robbing tourist at gunpoint

A St. Ignatius man pleaded not guilty in Lake County Justice Court to multiple accounts of robbery and assault with a weapon. 

Wild Horse Island dock plan postponed

State officials cite strong opposition as the reason for postponement.

Teachers take day for learning

Teachers from across the Mission Valley gathered in Polson for tribal education day. 

Woman pleads guilty to role in Arlee trailer murder

Couple admitted to living with body in bathroom for several months

Pirates soccer topples Whitefish

Polson boys, girls golf hope to bring home a state title in Hamilton

Polson High School golfer Carson McDaniel isn’t concerned about the home course advantage the Hamilton Broncs have headed into the Montana Class A State Tournament at the Hamilton Golf Club in Hamilton on Friday.

Lady Pirates split last two games

Lady Pirates split with Dillon, Hamilton

The Polson High School volleyball team lost both of their matches in their triangular Saturday at Lindermann Elementary Gymnasium.

Pirates cross country teams make progress at meet

The Polson Pirates girls and boys cross country team each had one of their best races of the season at the Mountain West Classic in Missoula according to their coach Matt Seeley.

Vikings have mixed results in Mineral County Shootout

The Charlo High School volleyball team didn’t qualify for the championship bracket of the Mineral County Shootout Saturday at at Alberton/Superior.

Pirates blank Frenchtown in conference football match

The Polson Pirates football team had to overcome the psychological effects of their 38-6 loss at the hands of Dillon last Friday headed into their road match with Frenchtown Friday in Frenchtown.

Vikings trounce Darby, Bulldogs recover

The Charlo High School Vikings team was shell-shocked on the opening kickoff in its 66-12 victory over Darby at Darby Friday.

Ms. Ragnhild “Roddy” Vassallo Smith

Chiefs capture third-consecutive victory over Copperheads

Ronan High School Coach Matt Detwiler admits homecoming week is a challenge for his team to stay focused on football.

Woman pleads guilty to role in Arlee murder

A woman involved in the February murder of an 18-year-old man in Arlee has pleaded guilty to accountability for negligent homicide.

Top golfers finish well in Polson, Buffalo Springs

The Polson boys team finished first at their at their own Invitational Monday afternoon at the Polson Golf Course. 

V-ballers show will 'go on' without star player

The Polson High School volleyball team has to recalibrate themselves after they were swept by Columbia Falls Thursday at Linderman Elementary School.

Pirates football experience setbacks in loss big loss to Dillon

If the thriving Polson High School football team had to experience a setback, Pirates’ coach Scott Wilson said he is glad they experienced disappointment in the early stage of the season.

Young Warriors get big win against Darby

Volleyball Roundup: Lady Vikings sweep Hot Springs

Pirates cross country gains experience at invitational

Jean M. Anderson

The distance from the little ranch on Spring Creek, four miles north of Arlee, to Missoula seemed a lot longer on the day Jean Wessinger was born in 1922.  Nonetheless, on March 27, this is where parents Ollie and Phil journeyed to receive their second child.  Jean had some health problems early on, stricken with strep throat, then scarlet fever, and rheumatic fever in the years before penicillin.  The parents didn’t expect she would make it.  But she did, and she grew up to be strong and lovely, her mildly damaged heart left with its murmur lasting her 94 years.  Growing up on the ranch in the Flathead was somewhat idyllic, with her own horse, going fishing with her mom, skiing down the back hills in winter and occasionally, when the old pickup couldn’t get through, riding in the horse drawn sleigh while her father delivered mail to people in the Jocko Valley.  School in Arlee, starting at barely the age of five, was a good experience with school plays, girls’ basketball, and the weekly community dance.  A possible exception was the sometimes-wild school bus ride, but big sister Audrey, who was seven years older, was there to offer protection.  When the family later sold the ranch and moved into town, Jean attended college in Missoula at University of Montana (then called Montana State University), majoring in journalism.  A future in this endeavor looked promising, at one point even landing her a job as the first ever woman reporter for the Spokesman Review.  However, when it came time to choose between a career in writing versus pursuing a family role, Jean chose to follow young Robert (Bob) Anderson of Milltown.   They married in April of ’42, and after Bob’s tenure in the Army Air Corps during WWII, and subsequent training in Peoria, Ill. to be a watchmaker and jeweler, they set up shop in Polson as Anderson Jewelry.  Here she used her education to engage customers and help manage the business, but most importantly, her experiences and education went to the edification of the family she so wanted to have and raise. And raise a family she did, consisting of six “only” children:  Robin, Rocky, Kim (Gus), Clipper, Arrow, and Melody – yes, finally a girl. Such a family was a full time job, but her children were her greatest joy, and she permeated her parenting with her wonderful sense of music and rhythm, both with voice and piano.  In fact, both she and her husband encouraged music in the home.  Still, Jean also found time to teach Sunday school and be a deacon for the First Presbyterian Church, teach kindergarten in her home for a few years, conduct a small gifted-child kindergarten in Polson for several years, and serve as a teacher in the first Head Start program.  She was a very avid reader.  Her family and many other people found that both her house or the store were places where a good listener could be found in her.  She was also known for hosting gala family Christmases well into her 80’s.  She lovingly cared for her parents for their remaining years after they moved to elder care housing in Polson.  She continued to live alone in her home until 2007, tending to her much-loved and accomplished hobbies, including avid gardening, water color painting, community activities, her lifetime of avid reading, receiving family and friends, and, of course, garage-sale hopping. Then, a couple of unfortunate and disabling falls rendered her no longer able to manage alone.  She moved to Missoula and spent the rest of her years living at the Village Senior Residences.  She spent her time here attending her children’s musical performances, visiting the Iris Garden in summer, taking walks, eating an occasional ice cream bar, remembering her family and missing working in her garden in Polson.  She finished her life peacefully in the last two hours of summer, one of her favorite times.  She can never be replaced, but then, she will always be with us. Memorial date to be announced.

Gary E. “Moose” Smith

Gary E. “Moose” Smith, formerly of Pablo, passed from this life on Monday, September 5, in Clarkston, Washington. Moose was born on April 21, 1943, in Oklahoma City to June Schulz and Raymond E. Smith. He and his four siblings grew up spending part of the year in the Polson area and the rest of the year in Okla.

Elvis Gene Smith

William Donald Martin III

Chad Dean Cislo

Chad Dean Cislo, 40, of Boise, Idaho, passed away far sooner than any of us were prepared for. He met his Lord on September 13 at home in the presence of his family. Per Chad’s request he wanted this obituary to be “short and to the point”.

Luke Dellwo

Former Ronan resident Luke Dellwo, age 91, passed away September 15 in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa.  Funeral services took place September 21 in St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salix, Iowa.  He was buried with military honors.

Vikings in control of own destiny after big victory over Victor

Edith LaVerne Ryan

Edith LaVerne Ryan passed away on September 6, in the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Born March 4, 1928, LaVerne lived to be 88. Her love for Jesus and his word were evident in her life. John 14:16 says “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” LaVerne leaves behind her son, Dan Ryan; daughter Barbara Ryan Heftved; four grandchildren, Diane Katz, Becky Ryan, Jake Heftved, and Tammy Garrison; seven great grandchildren, and one on the way. Private services for the family will be held.

Leonard James Resner

Leonard James Resner, 79, had his final dance home July 10, 2016 in Anchorage, Alaska after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was born May 7, 1937 in Ronan.

Gary E. "Moose" Smith

Gary E. "Moose" Smith, 73 years old, passed away on Labor Day, 2016 in Clarkston, Washington.

Janice Block

Janice Block, 80, passed away of natural causes on September 5 at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. Arrangements are pending.

Valeda VanDerSande

Valeda VanDerSande, 69, of Polson, passed away on August 21. A memorial service will be held at Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Polson at 11 a.m. on Sept. 14. A reception and color guard will follow.

Arlene Marie McLaughlin Robbins

Keith John Wock

Kathryn Ann Karlberg

Arlene M. Robbins

Arlene M. Robbins, age 97, passed away on Monday, August 29, at Benefis Eastview in Great Falls.