Ellington

Local student ponders mountains, Mars and stars

Growing up with the Mission Mountains as the backdrop of his youth, Caden Howlett became captivated with geology.

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Letter-to-the-Editor

Trudy Evenson

Trudy Carol King Evenson, passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2019. She was born on January 7, 1949 to Bud and Sis (Lucille) King.

Sharon Kjorvestad

Sharon Marie Kjorvestad, 73, passed away on March 22, 2019, of complications from Diabetes. Sharon was born in Rolette, N.D., on June 12, 1945, to Lyle Kjorvestad and Rose (LaFrance) Kjorvestad. At a young age, the family moved to Montana. Her early education was in Havre, Mont., where she graduated from Havre Central High School in 1963.

Christopher David

On Saturday, March 16, 2019, our beloved Christopher Sean David passed from this life, surrounded by his family at Kalispell Regional Hospital.

Gary Wining

Gary Edgar Wining as born in Polson, Mont., on March 5, 1943, to Grace and Harry Wining, the youngest of three sons, Raymond and Robert (deceased), and eldest of two surviving daughters Lois and Karen. He passed away March 16, 2019.

Momo (Mildred) Williams

Mildred Williams was born in 1921, the fourth of nine children, to Peter and Millie Lind in Clinton, Iowa. Her baby brother couldn’t pronounce her name, so she was forever more known as Momo. Pete and Millie left Clinton, Iowa in 1928 with five little girls in a Model T Ford headed for Montana. This was the first of many traveling adventures Momo undertook during her lifetime. Momo graduated from Polson High School in 1938.

Cynthia Buchi

Our “Angel Queen” Cynthia Buchi, climbed her stairway to Heaven at McKay-Dee Hospital on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, due to complications incident to her fight with ovarian cancer.

Barry Flannigan

Barry John Flannigan, 51, of Whitefish, Mont., died in his home and was found on March 8, 2019.

Eugene Ashby

Eugene Turner Ashby, 80, passed March 17, 2019, peacefully in his sleep in the town he made his home, Polson, Mont. He was born June 3, 1938, in Bluemont, Va., to Eugene K. Ashby and Hazel Sisk Williams.

Mission Valley All-Stars rock the court; Light overshadows Dark

At the Ronan Events Center this past Thursday, area basketball players put an exclamation point on their hoops season with a pair of evenly matched Mission Valley All-Star Games.

Smith era ends for PHS softball as Hanson takes over

Former Polson High School softball coach Larry Smith teetered back-and-forth all of last season pondering whether or not to retire.

Bronc bats bounce Maidens in season opener

At Hamilton, the Ronan Maidens started the season well by plating a run to open the game against Hamilton. But thereafter, the homestanding Lady Broncs took advantage of their visitors who have yet to taste the outside on account of an overabundance of whites stuff contaminating their playing field. A succession of four doubles in the bottom of the fourth would plate five runs and seat Hamilton firmly in the saddle of this contest.

Polson netters sweep first day, bounced by Bitterroot

At Polson last weekend, prep tennis conveys a crescendo of kudos to the Pirate coaches and players for having one of the few spring sports venues fully operational for the first meets of the season.

Legislature Watch State budget bill could 'raid local government revenues'

Accordining to the Lake County Commissioners, an Amendment attached to House Bill 2 (the State’s budget bill) provides the Legislature the opportunity to reduce local government revenues and divert them to Office of Public Defender (OPD).

St. Ignatius seventh-grader competes in state GeoBee

Jak Starkel, a seventh-grade student in St. Ignatius, has been notified by the National Geographic Society that he is one of the semifinals eligible to compete in the 2019 National Geographic GeoBee Montana State Competition. The contest will be held Friday, March 29 in Bozeman.

SAFE Harbor opens Ronan store

Sustainability is a word every non-profit faces on a daily basis. Developing revenue streams to support sustainability and provide unrestricted funds is an ongoing goal. To meet this objective, SAFE Harbor has been using the winter months to set-up a new thrift store in the Mission Valley. Housed in the Old Creamery Mall in Ronan, along Highway 93, Sister Sallie’s Thrift will have clothes, house wares, household goods, and eventually small furniture.

Former tribal official honored for work on aquatic species

Germaine White, who recently retired from her position the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, was recently honored with an education award.

Hamilton confirmed as Polson High School principal

Polson High School interim Principal Peter Hamilton will have the same duties for the 2019-20 school year, but a slightly different title.

Homicide suspect was ex-girlfriend, mother of victim's child

The Polson woman accused of murdering Thompson Falls resident Matthew George LaFriniere in May 2018 was LaFriniere’s ex-girlfriend and had a child with him, according to charging documents filed this week in Sanders County District Court.

American Legion Auxiliary celebrates 100th birthday

Each year in lieu of their meeting, the Ronan American Legion Auxiliary hosts a birthday party for the Ronan Post 138. This year it was held on Wednesday, March 20 at the VFW in Ronan.

Ronan man dies after being struck by vehicle

Law enforcement officers responded to Timberlane Road about 1.5 miles from Highway 93 near Ronan at 9:35 a.m. Friday, March 22, for the report of a shirtless man, acting erratically, and waving around a rifle on the roadway in traffic, according to Lake County Sheriff Don Bell.

Legals March 28, 2019

Montana Twentieth Judicial District Court Lake County In the Matter of the Name Change of Isaac Lincoln Janeway: Isaac Lincoln Janeway, Petitioner Cause No.: DV-19-49 Dept. No.: 1 Notice of Hearing on Name Change This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Isaac Lincoln Janeway to Isaac Lincoln Christopher O'Conlough. The hearing will be on 04/03/2019 at 10:00 a.m. The hearing will be at the Lake County Courthouse in Polson, Montana. Date 2/26/19 /s/ Lyn Fricker Clerk of District Court By: Deputy Clerk of District Court Published on March 7, 2019, March 14, 2019, March 21, 2019, and March 28, 2019. MNAXLP

Jacob 'Jack' 'Jake' Andrew Block

Jacob Andrew Block, 85, of Polson, Mont., and recently of Minneapolis, Minn., passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, in his home in Minneapolis. Jacob’s life was shaped through his career, family and church. He left an indelible mark on those he served.

Theda 'Theann' Parizeau

Theda Ann “Theann” Parizeau, 65, of Ronan, Mont., went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, surrounded by her family at St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan.

John S. Cowan

John S. Cowan, 82, of Kalispell and Polson passed on March 11, 2019. John was born in Bellefonte, Pa., on March 7, 1937, to John D. Cowan and Elizabeth Fowler Cowan.

Daniel M. Godwin

Daniel M. Godwin passed away on March 7, 2019, at the age of 68.

Bison, Lady Bison bound for bout of March Madness

While NCAA March Madness basketball tournaments get underway across the country, the Mission Valley will have its own collegiate representatives vying to catch some breaks among brackets less familiar to most. The Lady Bison women and the Bison men basketball teams of Salish Kootenai College (SKC) will seek to bring home some hardware from the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) national basketball tournament this weekend, which is being held at Little Big Horn College.

Thinclads anxious to open season

NWA Polson

Mission Valley teams get preseason conditioning ... shoveling lots of snow

NWA Polson Lady Pirate girls

Looking back upon a whirlwind season

Wtr2018-19 Arlee Warriors (24-3) 1971pts

Mission Valley girls hold their own in rugged season

Wtr2018-19 Charlo Lady Vikings

2nd Chance Saloon is 1st at St. Patrick's Day Parade

Graced by a beautiful, sunny late-winter day, the Ronan Irish Community — known as TRIC — held their 30th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on the holiday, Sunday, March 17 on Main Street in Ronan. The parade marked three decades of color and pageantry for the event to celebrate the Irish holiday.

Mission Valley Animal Shelter holds Spay-ghetti fundraiser

Ronan arch project begins to take shape on Main Street

It's a 'labor of love' for Anderson at Yellow Bay

The brand-new Yellow Bay fire substation all started with a boat.

Fourth meeting about impact of wolves set May 4

Sportsmen and women will be sponsoring a May 4 meeting in Hamilton to move forward with their goal of reducing wolf numbers to objectives set by United States Fish and Wildlife Service at 15 wolves in Montana. The meeting is set for 3 p.m. at the Hamilton High School Performing Arts Center, located at 327 Fairgrounds Road.

Talent rises to the top in Mission Valley

Fifteen acts competed for top honors during the Mission Valley Has Talent program held Friday, March 15 in the comfort of the Polson High School Auditorium.

Linderman students raise money for Heart Association

Linderman Elementary School students in Polson were willing to encourage gracious people to “pay it forward” during the 2019 Kids Heart Challenge.

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The Sanders County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday announced the arrest of a Polson woman charged with the murder of Matthew George LaFriniere of Thompson Falls, who was killed nearly one year ago.

Legals March 21, 2019

Montana 20th Judicial District Court Lake County In the Matter of the Name Change of Shannah Billington Shannah Billington, Petitioner Cause No.: DV-19-34 Notice of Hearing on Name Change This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Shannah Lynn Billington to Shannah Lynn Schlegel. The hearing will be on 3/27/19 at 10:00 a.m. The hearing will be held at the Courthouse in Lake County located at 106 4th Ave. E, Polson, Montana 59860. Dated: 2/13/19 Mary Rensvold Chief Deputy Clerk Published on February 28, 2019, March 7, 2019, March 14, 2019, and March 21, 2019. MNAXLP

$2 million bail set in Evaro shooting that injured trooper

MISSOULA (AP) — A judge set bail at $2 million Monday for a man accused of fatally shooting one person and injuring three, including a Montana Highway Patrol trooper.

Brown retiring as All in Stitches manager

Christian McCurdy

Christian William McCurdy, 27, was born Feb. 7, 1992, in Polson to William and Lori McCurdy. He died at the family home March 8, 2019, leaving us far too soon.

Tom Gillespie

Tom Gillespie, 86, died peacefully at home in Dallas, Ore., on Feb. 25, 2019, with his loving wife of 36 years by his side. He is survived by his wife, Carol; sister, Susie (Jay) Jewett; and children Karen (Dave), Diane, Sue (Kevin), Marie, T.J., Sheryl (Eric) and Jack (Lisa); as well as seven grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. Daughter Marchita died shortly after birth.

Matthew Darnell

Matthew Adam Posey Darnell, 30, passed away on Feb. 28, 2019, in Pablo.

Jacob Block

Jacob (“Jake,” “Jack”) Block, 85, Minneapolis, Minn., died Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, in his home.

Medicaid Expansion valuable to veterans

It’s helpful to be at the same line of work long enough to be able to be proven wrong. I’ve been working with NAMI Montana to improve Montana’s mental illness treatment system for the past ten years. We’ve been really active on the local, state and national levels. That amount of work has brought plenty of opportunities to be wrong and we haven’t been able to avoid them all.

Navigating the turbulent waters 'til 2020 election

“Form and Content” are, in my opinion, essential elements to have in mind as we navigate the rather turbulent and troubled political waters these next 21 months before the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.

Warriors denied third straight state title by Eagles

Arlee tops duo of unbeatens, can’t get trifecta over Manhattan Christian

Last weekend at MetraPark Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings, the Arlee Warriors would embark upon an ambitious quest to defend their two-time state C titles. Hurdles in their path included a trio of top-seeded undefeated teams among a formidable field. This would be Arlee’s fifth straight state C tournament appearance, and eighth over the past decade.

Mat-to-mat action at Unit 2 Tourney

Ronan Wrestling Club grapplers won a combined nine championship in the Novice and Middle divisions at the Unit 2 Tournament held Friday and Saturday, March 8 and 9 at Arlee. That included five in Novice and four in Middle.

Arlee's Schall signs at Minot State

Arlee senior Lane Schall is slated to extend his athletic career at the collegiate level playing football for the Minot State University Beavers of Minot, N.D. The 6-foot, 185-pound Schall received dual acknowledgement on offense as well as defense during the 2018 season for the 8-3 Warriors. Schall received all-state as well as all-conference first-team recognition at quarterback as well at defensive lineman.

State B and C Basketball

2019 State C boys

Mack Days delayed due to ice buildup

Believe it or not, historically it was not uncommon for Flathead Lake to completely freeze over. This event was documented by the University of Montana’s Flathead Lake Biological Station at Yellow bay every five to seven years. However, the last time this event occurred was 30 years ago, during the winter of 1989-90.

Lake County legislators address bills

Preview of ivory artwork Saturday at Ninepipes Museum

It must be getting near springtime as Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana has opened its doors for the 2019 season. Stop by for a sneak preview of a new ivory artwork exhibit that will be installed in its entirety later this spring. Start your St. Patrick’s weekend celebrations by stopping by the museum and gift shop on Saturday, March 16 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and enjoy some hot coffee and a bite or two of something “sweet and green.”

Finally ... a day in the snow and sun!

Folkshop at St. Ignatius embraces community mission

The Folkshop takes its place among the main downtown businesses of St. Ignatius seriously. There’s the bank, the grocery store, the auto and hardware stores, eateries, and the Folkshop, the town’s main clothing, and “treasures,” outlet.

'Midsummer Night's Dream' brings Shakespeare to life

Legals March 14, 2019

Montana 20th Judicial District Court Lake County In the Matter of the Name Change of Shannah Billington Shannah Billington, Petitioner Cause No.: DV-19-34 Notice of Hearing on Name Change This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Shannah Lynn Billington to Shannah Lynn Schlegel. The hearing will be on 3/27/19 at 10:00 a.m. The hearing will be held at the Courthouse in Lake County located at 106 4th Ave. E, Polson, Montana 59860. Dated: 2/13/19 Mary Rensvold Chief Deputy Clerk Published on February 28, 2019, March 7, 2019, March 14, 2019, and March 21, 2019. MNAXLP

Grace Schumacher

Grace Beverly Schumacher, 100, of Polson passed away Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, in her home — surrounded by her family.

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Pablo man charged with deliberate homicide in shooting death of Polson man

Daniel Chance Blixt, a 29-year-old Pablo resident, has been charged with deliberate homicide in the shooting death of 30-year-old Matthew Adam Posey Darnell of Polson, according to Lake County Sheriff and Coroner Don Bell.

Ralph 'Dib' Espinoza

A beloved member of the Arlee community passed away on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.

Thomas Fleming

Thomas C. Fleming was born June 1, 1937, in Bonner, Mont., to Lena Partoll and Thomas Fleming.

Edward Sturm

Edward Earl Sturm, 77, passed away on Feb. 26, 2019. He was born on Sept. 21, 1941, in Polson, Mont., to Leroy and Sarah Sturm.

Working together to solve problems

At times like this, when the snow is deep, I am grateful for snowplows and the people driving them, grateful for government, which keeps them running, grateful for taxes even.

Speaker assesses legislative progress at halfway point

As speaker of the House, it is a goal of mine to have unity within the Republican Caucus and a positive working relationship with the minority party. At the halfway point of the 66th legislative session we are hitting those marks.

Warriors' sights are now set on defense of the Class C state title

As the 2019 rendition of the State C Boys Basketball Tournament gets set to tip off, among the field of eight will be three thus far undefeated contenders and the two-time defending state champion Western second-seeded Arlee Warriors.

Up for the Challenge: Arlee rallies to qualify for state

At Deer Lodge last Wednesday, the Twin Bridges Falcons and the Arlee Warriors were finally able to play their Western C challenge game after two reschedulings on account of inclimate arctic weather more typical of the heart of winter than the cusp of spring.

MV All-Star Games set March 21

Top high school basketball players from Lake and Sanders counties will celebrate March Madness with the 24th annual Mission Valley All-Star Games on Thursday, March 21 at the Ronan Event Center. The girls’ game tips off at 6:30 p.m. followed by the boys’ contest at 8 p.m.

Jury wins title in Lake County Spelling Bee

Completing the 54th annual Lake County Spelling Bee took quite a bit longer to complete than expected on Feb. 19 at the Ronana Performing Arts Center at Ronan High School.

Charlo repeats as Lake County Academic Bowl victor

When the scores were all sorted and totaled, it was Charlo Middle School that successfully defended its title in the 2019 Lake County Academic Bowl.

Math Carnival Night at Linderman School

Math Carnival Night was featured last Thursday at Linderman Elementary School, giving students an opportuntiy to have some fun in a learning environment.

'No Cavity Club' team an effort of Polson Tribal Dental Clinic and Showboat Cinema

The Polson Tribal Dental Clinic and Showboat Cinema in Polson are again teaming up this year to sponsor the No Cavity Club.

'Never Alone' in local drug recovery

As they say, “you can’t do it alone.” And many believe that applies to “kicking the drug habit.”

Two arrested in Polson for drugs after search

The Polson Police Department executed a residential search warrant as part of a short-term drug investigation last Friday afternoon, March 1. The warrant was executed at the Boettcher Terrace Apartments in the 800 block of 10th Avenue East. Evidence found during the search included methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana and numerous items of drug paraphernalia. No one was injured as a result of the warrant service.

Pablo man charged with deliberate felony homicide in shooting death of Polson man

Daniel Chance Blixt, a 29-year-old Pablo resident, has been charged with deliberate homicide in the shooting death of 30-year-old Matthew Adam Posey Darnell of Polson, according to Lake County Sheriff and Coroner Don Bell.

Man dies after shooting Thursday night in Pablo

Lake County Sheriff and Coroner Don Bell said in a news release that sheriff’s deputies, CS&K Tribal Police and Montana Highway Patrol responded to a 911 call about 9:39 p.m. Thursday about a shooting on Division Street in Pablo. Responding personnel found that a male had been shot several times. The man was transported to St. Luke Community Healthcare by ambulance where he died from his wounds.