Ellington

Polson is the hot spot

Tourist coming to Polson and staying

MHSA says fall sports are on

The Montana High School Association said all systems are go Monday, with executive director Mark Beckman releasing a statement confirming sports will happen, with certain requirements pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor candidate Mike Cooney vows to protect public lands

I’ve spent my career fighting for our public lands, and I have a track record of delivering results for Montanans. Growing up in Montana shaped who I am and the values I carry with me. Like many Montanans, I know how lucky we are to spend time outdoors on our public lands — hunting, fishing, hiking and camping — making long-lasting memories with friends and family.

Morigeau for Auditor

There is one honest law-abiding person running for Montana State Auditor: Shane Morigeau.

Bullock will protect health care coverage

As research is gathered about Covid-19 pandemic, a sobering finding is that many people who get the disease will have health problems long after they have recovered from the infection.

Mobs destroying history

Judge Robert Bork stated: “power alone is not sufficient to produce legitimate authority.” That dictum certainly applies to the powerful anarchist mobs created by Black Lives Matter Marxism to desecrate and destroy statues of historic figures and national monuments with their perceived crime of racism, without legitimate authority to do so.

Mariners topple Lakers AA, split with Twins

Last week the Mission Valley Mariners A took down a competitive Kalispell Lakers AA team on July 21 before facing a familiar conference foe, the Glacier Twins, for a “Senior Night” doubleheader on Saturday.

River Rock Mercantile offers a new twist to an old downtown business

“But first coffee,” says the motto on the new River Rock Mercantile logo being developed.

New wildfire near Polson; Dixon blaze at 2,000 acres

Another wildfire was reported on the Flathead Reservation Tuesday afternoon southwest of Polson.

Birth announcements

Taylee Grace Irvine was born July 2nd, 2020 at St. Luke Community Healthcare’s New Beginnings Birth Center in Ronan. She weighed 6 lbs. 12 ozs. Mother is Destinee Verwold. Paternal grandparents are Josh and Ann Jenson of Polson. Maternal grandparents are Mike and Kelli Verwold of Monterey, CA. Sibling is Hudson Irvine.

Pete Sisters debut song for COVID awareness campaign

Driven by concerns that young people may not be responding to COVID-19 prevention guidelines, a committee of tribal leaders formed to discuss strategies which might raise the awareness among teens that they have the power to protect their elders.

Body of Ronan man recovered from river

The body of a 21-year-old Ronan man was recovered from the Flathead River near Buffalo Bridge on Thursday at around 11 p.m., according to Lake County Sheriff Don Bell.

Road project underway on Montana 212

The Montana Department of Transportation this week will begin replacement of a combination irrigation and drainage culvert under Montana 212 about 5 miles south of Charlo.

New SKC Foundation director a nonprofit leader

The Salish Kootenai College Foundation faces an important transition as the executive director for the last eight years, Karen Delaney, announced her retirement last month.

Polson’s resort tax initiative tabled, for now

An initiative to have voters decide on a Polson resort tax in the November election has been put on hold.

Legals for July, 30 2020

Charlo girls win big

Girls going on to State

New wildfire flares up near Dixon

A new wildfire cropped up early Monday morning west of Dixon on the Flathead Reservation.

Neighborhood challenges others to show support for local law enforcement

Joe Stark of Polson wanted to do something big to show his appreciation for local law enforcement. He got his neighbors involved.

Trooper Wade Palmer receives medical retirement

Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Wade Palmer of Missoula, who was critically injured in the line of duty in March 2019, retired Monday after receiving a medical retirement from the agency.

Firefighters douse blaze in Polson

Firefighters kept a trailer fire in Polson from spreading to nearby buildings last Wednesday.

Bigfork man dies in Woods Bay crash

A Bigfork man died in a motorcycle crash Thursday night when he collided with a deer near Woods Bay south of Bigfork.

Jury trial postponed for Polson woman accused of murder

The trial of a Polson woman accused of murdering her ex-boyfriend in Thompson Falls in 2018 has been postponed.

More felony charges for Polson man

A Polson man facing charges for forgery and burglary has also been accused of drug possession in Flathead County.

My very own declaration of independence

Ever hear of Rudy Stanko, well-known in Montana 20-plus years ago? Rudy “Stinko” you say? Well, maybe. Here’s the story. Rudy liked to speed, and it was easy for him to do so because from 1955-1974 and again from 1995-1999, the speed limit in our state was “reasonable and prudent” in the opinion of the arresting officer. This worked well enough when the spirit of the law was respected, but then along came Rudy. In one three-month period, he was clocked exceeding 100 mph three times. Our law enforcement and judicial systems had enough, so the Montana Legislature took up the issue.

Wake up America

A great big thank you to U.S. Veteran Dr. Rashid Buttar M.D. and Dr. Pam Popper Naturopath for expertly and courageously making it clear that the current SARS -2/CoVid-19 pandemic scare is truly a spiritual battle that must be confronted.

Tax, tax and more tax

Polson wants to impose a 3% tax once again. How will this help residents that do not live in the city of Polson?

Polson Community Foundation awards $53k in grants

Because of the generosity of local donors a total of $750,625 has been awarded to worthy needs and projects in our community from 2009 through mid 2020.

Ronan seniors awarded K. William Harvey scholarships

Ronan High School seniors Brooklyn Kenelty and Christian Silgen were each selected to receive a $1,000 K. William Harvey Memorial Scholarship for 2020.

Northwest Montana softball teams still swinging

At Stevensville, the Bitterroot Valley-based Sparks played host to the S-Town Throwdown for a group of 14U teams in attendance.

Leland LeRoy Rowley, 100

Leland LeRoy Rowley, though born a “blue baby” and surviving many brushes with death, lived 100 years, and passed away peacefully in Roy, UT, on July 18, 2020 with family members by his side. Leland was born March 7, 1920, in a small log cabin in Mt. Home, UT, to John Emerson and Amy Florella (Davis) Rowley. He was the 5th of 9 children. He lived in Montana, Oregon, and Utah. Leland began his love of horses as a young boy and was a true cowboy all his life. He made his living mostly doing ranch work. Leland married his eternal companion, June Rust, on January 2, 1941. Together, they had 5 children: LaDonna (Ed) Savik, Randy (Julia) Rowley, Ron (Debbie) Rowley, Edith (Scott) Taylor, and David (Terri) Rowley; 16 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Leland and June were married over 66 years before her passing in August of 2007. Leland married Olga June Barker on December 16, 2008, in Washington, UT. He gained 3 children, 19 grandchildren, and 48 great-grandchildren. She was a beloved companion for the remainder of his life. Leland will be remembered for his love of animals, woodworking, fishing, and temple work. Generations of family and friends know him as an expert storyteller. With a century’s worth of experiences, he had plenty to draw from. Leland’s final resting place is at the Bonita-Mountain Home Cemetery in Duchesne County, UT.

Sharon Laketa McDonald, 88

Sharon Laketa McDonald (Grandma Sherri) passed away peacefully at her home Tuesday, July 13, 2020. She was surrounded by her loving family that cared for her during her illness. Sherri was born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota on Feb. 15, l932. She was 88 years old. She was born into a loving Norwegian family.

Carol Jean Lau

Carol passed away on July 15, 2020 in Polson Montana. Carol was born July 24, 1946 to Dick and Emily Lau in Polson. Carol graduated from Polson High School in 1964.

LaRue B Melton, 86

LaRue B Melton, 86, passed away at his home on July 14, 2020 of natural causes.

Mariners split with Florence Bucs

The Mission Valley Mariners split a pair of games with the Florence Bucs last weekend.

Fundraising continues for 7th Ave Skatepark expansion

For the last five years a dedicated group of individuals has poured extra time and energy into a project that would expand the current 7th Ave Skatepark in Polson to be more inclusive of all levels of riding.

Ninepipes Museum enhancements in progress following needs assessment

Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana is growing up.

Local schools looking at options for fall

With the new school year quickly approaching, school districts in Lake County must make important decisions on whether students should return to in person classes.

Crews work wildfire near Hot Springs

Heavy equipment is believed to have sparked a wildfire that had charred 300 acres near Hot Springs, as of Tuesday.

Legals for July, 23 2020

Danielle Wood’s murder trial postponed

The trial of a Polson woman accused of murdering her ex-boyfriend in Thompson Falls in 2018 has been postponed.

Let us take history for what it is; the good and the bad

“The evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones. “

Fund Tribal Law Enforcement

After reading page 2 of the June 25, 2020 edition of the Char-Koosta News that explains how the COVID-19 relief funds allocated to our tribe is going to be distributed, I became quite alarmed as an elder of the Tribe. I was shocked to see that there was apparently no substantial funds directed to the Tribal Law Enforcement department. It saddens me to think that the Council does not think this should be the number one priority for financial aid.

We are all human beings

This past weekend was crazy in Polson. You had the Trump parade along with the Black Lives Matter and missing indigenous women march that followed.

Mariners drop Mavs in doubleheader

In a doubleheader on Monday, the Mission Valley Mariners gained two conference wins against the Missoula Mavericks.

Pandemic precautions grind softball season to a halt

Ordinarily, most Mission Valley area softballers who infuse the rosters of close to a dozen teams based around the northwestern portion of the state would have competed in the USA-sanctioned Montana Junior Olympic State softball tournament this past weekend in Helena. Those results would then have provided the basis for a swath of subsequent weekly sports coverage.

Polson Players postpone season to 2021

Another Polson tradition has been canceled in the face of COVID-19 spreading in the community.

Collaboration will provide produce boxes to families in need

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused local farmers to lose business from some of their markets, especially through school and restaurant closures, and also many families still face food insecurity as Montana navigates its fourth month of significant social impacts.

Polson High student finds purpose in helping others

Spencer Henning is the Polson High School recipient of the Today’s Achievers, Tomorrow’s Leaders award sponsored by Kalispell Regional Healthcare and the Lake County Leader.

More than 250 tested for COVID-19 at Hot Springs

Some came because they had cold-like symptoms and were concerned.

Popular Sanders County Fair canceled due to COVID-19 virus

No fair!

Conservation District readies for self-guided flower tour

With so many summer activities closed this year, Lake County Conservation District (LCCD) has come up with a cheery flower tour anyone can participate in.

Dayton site proposed for new fishing access

With the goal of increasing public access to Flathead Lake, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking approval to purchase nearly 15 acres of undeveloped land on the lake’s western shore for a new fishing access site.

Tribal Flag Plaza going up at state Capitol

Construction is set to begin this week on a Tribal Flag Plaza on the Capitol grounds in Helena. As directed by Gov. Steve Bullock, this permanent tribute recognizes Native American contributions to the state and nation.

Nordis Baker, 87

Nordis Baker was born in Polson on March 2, 1933, A longtime resident in Tacoma, Wash., she died peacefully July 1, 2020 at the age of 87 in the Mallard Landing Care facility at Gig Harbor, Wa.

Dennis “Lars” Dwight Spence

Dennis “Lars” Dwight Spence passed away July 7, 2020 at Polson Health and Rehabilitation. Originally born in Williston, North Dakota in 1944, Dennis was a longtime resident of Polson.

David Eveland Schilling, 78

David Eveland Schilling, 78, passed away July 7, 2020 at his home. Dave was born in Missoula, Montana on February 26, 1942 to Paul and Ellen (Eveland) Schilling. He attended St. Anthony and Roosevelt Grade School, and Missoula County High School, spending his final year and graduating at Los Alamos High School. He lived with his older brother Fritz after the untimely death of his parents. After graduation, he worked for Los Alamos National Laboratory for some time before returning to Missoula to attend the University of Montana while serving concurrently in the Montana National Guard.

Outlook good for late July cherry harvest

The Flathead Valley has contended with some unfavorable weather throughout the spring and summer, but conditions reportedly are looking good for Flathead cherries, according to Bruce Johnson with the Flathead Lake Cherry Growers.

Grace W. Seines Sager, 92

Grace W. Seines Sager of Ronan passed away on Nov. 6, 2019. She was born in Polson on Dec. 3, 1926 to Gladys and John Seines. The family lived in Irvine Flats and the Ronan area.

Anita Marie Childs, 72

Anita Marie Childs, 72, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away on Dec. 02, 2019. She was born to Dan and Afton Callahan, on March 01, 1947 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Karen “Jeanie” Williams, 80

Karen “Jeanie” Williams, 80 of Polson, loving mother, sister, Nana, and wife of Francis C. “Toot” Williams, left home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, July 4, 2020. She was born March 22, 1940, to Kirby and Esther Hicklin in Livingston, Montana.

Polson City Commission to look at resort tax proposal

Polson is once again considering a resort tax as a funding mechanism for city street improvements.

Danielle Wood’s murder trial begins July 20

The trial of a Polson woman accused of murdering her ex-boyfriend in Thompson Falls in 2018 will begin next week.

Unified Command Chief explains how COVID-19 differs from other viruses

Lake County’s COVID-19 Unified Command Ops Chief Greg Gould has seen a lot of viruses in his 31 years of public health emergency management. He was in the fight against the Hantavirus, SARS, MERS, and Ebola pandemics, and now teaches Public Health Emergency Preparedness at Salish Kootenai College. But as dangerous as those viruses are, he says they have been able to be contained with effective application of epidemiology practices such as testing, quarantine, and health care.

Legals for July, 16 2020

Polson directive ‘strongly’ encourages masks as cases spike

In consideration of a recent uptick of COVID-19 cases in Lake County, the city of Polson on Thursday issued a directive “strongly encouraging” the use of masks in public.

COVID chief wants more vigilance

If there is one thing Greg Gould could get across to his fellow Montanans, it is this: “We need to stay vigilant for the long term as the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, continues to spread.”

Two Polson Lady Pirates teams second at Splash Tournament

Two Polson Lady Pirates teams each finished second in last week’s Splash Tournament.

Match play signups open; Taylor demo day July 11

The 2020 match play championship for Polson Bay Golf Course is set to begin July 12, and possibly sooner if the brackets fill up quickly.

Service and science motivate Ronan’s Normandeau

James Normandeau is the Ronan High School recipient of the Today’s Achievers Tomorrow’s Leaders award sponsored by Kalispell Regional Healthcare and Lake County Leader.

Showboat to screen documentary film on Polson restaurant

Richwine’s Burgerville in Polson celebrates its 58th year in business the weekend of July 17-19. Owner Marcia Moen is the daughter of Enoch and Lucille Richwine, who purchased Burgerville in 1962. Adding a third generation to the mix, Marcia’s daughter Cassidy works alongside her mother. Marcia calls these annual anniversary celebrations Burgerville Days, during which two $58 gift certificates are drawn from the pool of entries on each of the three days.

CSKT opens lands to public use for residents

The Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribal Council recently took action to modify a current resolution regarding recreation on tribal land, to allow all people who reside on the Flathead Indian Reservation full return of access and use of tribal lands, including campgrounds and recreation lands managed by the Tribal Division of Fish, Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation.

Perry named new school superintendent at Arlee

In just five years Mike Perry was able to make a lasting impact in the small rural community of Hot Springs as the school district’s superintendent.

Water Rights Protection Act a step backward for public land

Flathead Wildlife Inc., has been the largest sportsmen and women club in northwest Montana for 64 years. One of our primary goals is preserving public access to public lands. Accordingly, FWI is opposed to S. 3019, The Montana Water Rights Protection Act, as currently worded.

Montanans must all work together to fight COVID-19

COVID-19 remains a matter of great concern for Montana medical and public health communities. As of mid-June, Montana’s COVID-19 case rates are the lowest in the continental U.S.; yet disease prevention remains the state’s top priority. Robust testing efforts are underway in Montana. The State of Montana is conducting sentinel surveillance among those living in high-risk settings such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and correctional facilities, among others. Rapid, effective contact tracing, a cornerstone of infectious disease prevention, can quickly identify exposed contacts of those infected with COVID-19 resulting in timely quarantine or isolation, thereby preventing disease spread.

Wilhelmina ‘Willie’ Vink Laughlin

Wilhelmina “Willie” Laughlin, 87, of Polson, passed away at Kingswood Place Senior Living in Surprise, AZ, on Saturday, June 13, 2020. A private memorial will be held for immediate family members only.

Republicans want local hearings on compact

Republican legislators across the state have requested local hearings on the Montana Water Rights Protection Act after the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs recently took a first look at the proposed legislation.

John Andrew “Andy” Beekmann, Jr, 67

John Andrew “Andy” Beekmann, Jr. passed away in Ronan, on June 26, 2020. Andy lived his life as a stranger in this world, faithfully preparing throughout his life to go to his home with God. He was 67 years old.

DEQ taking comments on new tire landfill

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality is taking public comment on plans for a new tire landfill near Polson.

Despite rain, dry summer could still dictate fire season

It was a wet June, but forecasts still predict a hot and dry summer in Northwest Montana.

Larry Ray Schwartz, 62

Larry Ray Schwartz, 62, passed away at his home in Ronan on May 24th, 2020. Larry was born in St. Ignatius July 16th, 1957 to Leonard Delaware and Doris Roberts. Larry worked as a mechanic, was a proud veteran, and a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Legals for July, 9 2020

Dolence’s grand slam helps Mariners split

The Mission Valley Mariners A team split games with both the Kalispell Lakers and the Bitterroot Sox last week.

Kalispell’s Mahlen wins Mack Days again

Excelling in the Mack Days fishing tournaments is about mastering the numbers game.

St. Joseph Medical Center adjusts inpatient visitor guidelines

Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson tightened its visitors policy last week due to the recent uptick of COVID-19 cases in the state and evidence of community spread.

Birth announcements

Lake County to get $474k from federal comp program

Lake County will receive $474,568 this year from the federal government under a long-running program that compensates local governments for nontaxable federal land.

Mariners shine in doubleheaders

Last week the Mission Valley Mariners A squad improved to 9-9 on the season. After a slow start in early June, the Mariners have found their groove going 8-1 over the last two weeks of games.

Lady Pirates take second at Emeralds SMASH tourney

USA Softball teams in all age brackets completed another tournament weekend as Kalispell hosted the 2020 Emeralds SMASH June 26-28.

Polson summer league soccer ascending with win, tie

Polson summer league girls soccer played a pair of games in Butte this past weekend. The level of competition was more evenly matched this time around, as preceding games have been played against a higher caliber premier level teams.

CSKT COVID-19 Youth Campaign’s second release features musician Foreshadow

Tribal musician Shadow Devereaux, known as Foreshadow, released a new song on Friday entitled “Protect Your People” as part of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ COVID-19 awareness campaign aimed for youth on the Flathead Reservation.

Kindness a core value for Mission Valley grad

Kinsey Brookman is a recent recipient of the Today’s Achievers, Tomorrow’s Leaders award sponsored by Kalispell Regional Healthcare and Lake County Leader.

Lake County ‘Tar wars’ program announces winners

“Tar Wars” is a national tobacco-free education program from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) designed for fourth through sixth-grade students. The program consists of a one-hour presentation that is given by volunteer health care professionals and educators. Dr. Cara Harrop is Lake County’s health care volunteer and Lake County Public Health Tobacco Prevention & Education Program facilitates her speaking engagements.

St. Ignatius man pleads guilty to assaulting girlfriend

A St. Ignatius man accused of the brutal assault of his girlfriend earlier this year pleaded guilty to the offense recently in Lake County District Court.

Larry Ray Schwartz, 62

Larry Ray Schwartz, 62, passed away at his home in Ronan on May 24, 2020.

As Native Americans, we refuse to stand idle

The senseless death of a black American has ignited civil protests around the globe. We will always remember George Floyd’s name and the eight minutes forty-six seconds that Minneapolis police officers assisted a fellow officer in pinning Floyd’s neck to the ground until he remained motionless.

Law enforcement leaders strive to be transparent, accessible and accountable

As a nation, state and society we are living in unprecedented times. As peace officer leaders in the state of Montana, we feel it is our obligation to speak about the unnecessary injuries and deaths, suffered by any persons, at the hands of law enforcement officers who fail or refuse to live by our peace officer code of ethics. We collectively acknowledge that incidents of excessive use of force, violence and misconduct are unacceptable and contradictory to our professional training, ethics, and personal morals.

Bullock needs to change course on the budget

We recently met with Governor Bullock and the two minority leaders of the Montana Legislature to discuss Montana’s failing economy and budget issues due to the Governor’s closures.

Water compact hearings needed in Montana

The CSKT Compact that was approved by the 2015 Montana Legislature has become the most divisive issue that I have seen in my six decades of involvement.

Wilhelmina “Willie” Vink Laughlin, 87

Wilhelmina “Willie” Laughlin, 87, of Polson, passed away at Kingswood Place Senior Living in Surprise, AZ, on Saturday, June 13, 2020, with her daughter Debra (Laughlin) and husband John Tietema at her side. She peacefully joined her husband George Laughlin 18 years and one day after his passing in 2002.

South Shore Greenhouse ‘going out with a bang’

One last season, and it is a beauty.

Michael Joseph Matkovich Jr.

Michael Joseph Matkovich Jr., 59, passed away peacefully at home, June 26, 2020, after a tough battle with Multiple Myeloma.

Senate committee reviews water compact

The Montana Water Rights Protection Act received a favorable review from Interior officials last week as the Senate Indian Affairs Committee took a first look at the proposed legislation.

Arlee woman accused of killing her uncle with baseball bat

A woman is lodged in the Missoula County Detention Center after authorities said she murdered her uncle with an aluminum baseball bat.

Polson High hires Fors as new principal

With a vacancy to fill in Polson High School’s administration, before the school year concluded the district hired Pirate alumni Andrew Fors to take over as principal.

Shepard, Fitzpatrick qualify for high school rodeo nationals

The wind blew in Baker and a pole wobbled on the course as Morgan Shepard and her loyal horse Chilly prepared for their final race of the 2020 Montana High School Finals Rodeo last month.

Polson man pleads not guilty in child endangerment

A Polson man is lodged in the Lake County Jail on child criminal endangerment charges after a police chase.

Legals for July, 2 2020