Stories for June 2020

Thursday, June 25

June 25, 2020 12:39 p.m.

Polson, Ronan softball compete in Great Falls tourney

At the USA Softball Falls Fusion Classic in Great Falls this past weekend, there were five teams from the Mission Valley area in attendance including a Polson-based Lady Pirate squads for each age group along with the Ronan’s 14U Maidens.

June 25, 2020 12:39 p.m.

Mariners champions at Libby Big Bucks tourney

The Mission Valley Mariners A team went 4-0 on the weekend to become the 2020 champions at the Big Bucks tournament in Libby June 19-21.

June 25, 2020 12:39 p.m.

Glacier Lake School graduates four seniors

Glacier Lake School in St. Ignatius celebrated the graduation of Conner Ferril, Kemberly Gibson, Gabe Moxness Myard and Jayden Smith in a commencement ceremony June 14.

June 25, 2020 12:39 p.m.

Murder trial of Ronan man remains in Lake County

The murder trial of a Colorado man accused in the beating death of another man at an RV park in Ronan last summer will remain in Lake County.

June 25, 2020 12:39 p.m.

Lake County unemployment rate at 8%

Lake County’s jobless rate has worsened slightly over the past month, rising from 7% unemployment in April to 8% in May as the lifting of some COVID-19 restrictions enabled businesses to begin to reopen.

June 25, 2020 12:39 p.m.

Grant seeks to close literacy gaps

Polson and Ronan school districts are recipients of grant funding to advance student literacy skills, with a focus on disadvantaged children as part of the Montana Comprehensive Literacy State Development Project.

June 25, 2020 12:39 p.m.

FVCC Spring 2020 Dean’s List

Flathead Valley Community College officials have announced the names of students who made the Dean’s List for the spring 2020 semester. The following students are listed in alphabetical order by their home communities and completed at least 12 credits last semester in courses numbered 100 or above and earned a minimum grade point average of 3.5:

June 25, 2020 12:38 p.m.

The dreaded mask

Due to the recent pandemic, we are all encouraged to wear a mask. You are not required to wear it in your home or when you walk down the street, however you may be required to wear one when you are on private property. So, why are so many people are up in arms about having to wear one? If you go to a hospital or doctors office, they ask that you wear a mask, for the safety of the patients, staff and even you. When you go to the grocery store, they require you to wear a shirt and shoe’s at all time, we rarely question this policy. Same theory, If you don’t like what you are watching on TV, change the channel. If you don’t want to take of your shoes when you enter someone’s home, leave. You have options, you just don’t want to use them.

June 25, 2020 12:38 p.m.

Choosing ‘people over pagentry’

By now, many of you have heard that we have made the difficult decision to cancel the annual Polson Chamber 4th of July Parade. Additionally, despite the best efforts of our fireworks partner and unexpected financial support of Polson businesses, there is simply not enough time to assemble and present a quality Chamber Fireworks Show this year. The Chamber Board of Directors has ultimately decided to postpone all 4th of July Chamber events in the hopes of hosting a Parade and Fireworks Show on Labor Day weekend to celebrate Polson’s incredible workers and labor force.

June 25, 2020 12:37 p.m.

Polson Safeway store celebrates extensive remodel

Customers of the Safeway in Polson will notice a fresh new store when they go for groceries next time. The store held a grand reopening June 17 to celebrate the completion of extensive remodeling that updated many services and products. New flooring, self-checkout registers, and décor greet you at the door, hinting at all the new products and services found inside.

June 25, 2020 12:37 p.m.

Vernie Loretta Porch, 90

Vernie Loretta Porch, 90, passed away on June 13, 2020. Vernie was living with her daughter, Loretta Brooks at the time of her passing. Vernie was born on Sept. 21, 1929 at Forsyth, Montana, the second daughter of Ed and Caroline Martin.

June 25, 2020 12:37 p.m.

Linda L. Barber

Linda Lorraine Barber, 79, passed away peacefully June 5, 2020 in Anchorage, Alaska.

June 25, 2020 12:37 p.m.

Leonard Kent Pierce, Sr., 82

Leonard Kent Pierce, Sr., passed away at St. Luke Hospital in Ronan on June 18, 2020 after a long illness. Leonard was a lifelong resident of the Mission Valley, operating his own logging company and later a construction company in addition to farming and ranching.

June 25, 2020 12:37 p.m.

Elizabeth (Betty) Jean Andrews Muralt

Elizabeth (Betty) Jean Andrews Muralt, passed away on April 5, 2020. Services will be held on Friday, June 26, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. An outdoor reception luncheon will follow at the Ranch Club.

June 25, 2020 12:36 p.m.

CSKT tests nearly 2,500 for COVID-19

As part of a cooperative goal of eventually reaching 60,000 COVID-19 tests per month across Montana, the Unified Command Center between CSKT and Lake County sponsored four free testing events last week. Governor Steve Bullock paid the Pablo/SKC site a visit, emphasizing statewide partnerships among tribal governments, tribal and local health offices, Indian Health Services, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, and the Montana National Guard in an ongoing effort to make testing affordable and accessible.

June 25, 2020 12:36 p.m.

Kalispell man nets $10,000 trout

For the just the second time in tournament history, the famous $10,000 tagged lake trout has been caught during the annual Mack Days event on Flathead Lake.

June 25, 2020 12:36 p.m.

Polson Police popular with populace

Four grateful citizens joined together June 22 to give each member of Polson’s City Police Department a surprise appreciation gift.

June 25, 2020 12:36 p.m.

Polson cancels Fourth of July events

The annual Fourth of July parade and fireworks show in Polson has been canceled this summer due to concerns about the Covid-19 pandemic.

June 25, 2020 1 a.m.

Richard Alan Sternjacob, 74

Richard Alan Sternjacob, 74, passed away June 15, 2020 in Polson, Montana. He was born August 28, 1945 in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Richard J. and Colleen Sternjacob.

June 25, 2020 midnight

Legals for June, 25 2020

Thursday, June 18

June 18, 2020 2:05 p.m.

Lake County Sheriff investigates Ninepipes shooting

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting incident that occurred early Thursday morning in the Ninepipes area.

June 18, 2020 10:56 a.m.

Johnston, Prugh winners at Lake City Open

Ryggs Johnston of Libby and Corey Prugh of Spokane were the big winners last weekend at Polson Bay Golf Course’s Lake City Open.

June 18, 2020 10:55 a.m.

Local students named to Montana State University’s Dean’s List

Montana State University has announced its undergraduate honor rolls for spring semester 2020.

June 18, 2020 10:55 a.m.

Tribal hunting permits available for elk, bighorns

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Wildlife Management Program announce the availability of the 2020 Ferry Basin elk and Little Money bighorn sheep hunting permit applications to interested CSKT Tribal member hunters.

June 18, 2020 10:55 a.m.

Local Polson author releases new book

A new novel recently written and self-published by local author Maggie Plummer is the second book in her semiautobiographical four-book Jessie Morgan series.

June 18, 2020 10:55 a.m.

Home School Academy graduates two tri-lingual students

The senior class graduating this month from Polson’s Home School Academy is a pair of bright and shining, tri-lingual, 4.0 GPA students.

June 18, 2020 10:54 a.m.

An Open Challenge to Senator Steve Daines

As a resident of Montana and in particular, Lake County, I challenge you to come and visit with the residents and County Commissioners well prior to the upcoming election. We’ve noticed your Congressional voting over the past three Congressional sessions has significantly changed. According to the Freedom Index, that is your record of voting on constitutional issues dropped from the 114th Congress 67% to the 115th where you voted 65% to this session the 116th where you voted 50% in favor of our constitution. Why the change?

June 18, 2020 10:54 a.m.

Mission Mountain Rodeo canceled

Due to the uncertainty of the COVID 19 virus situation with its many restrictions, and the serious economical impact that many of our sponsors in the business community have experienced from it, Polson Fairgrounds Inc. Board of Directors canceled our 30th annual fundraising event, “Cowboy Ball” that was scheduled in April, and also have canceled the Mission Mountain Rodeo scheduled for June 26 and 27. The health and well being of our community members, volunteers, rodeo personnel, contestants and their families and rodeo fans, is of utmost importance to PFI during these uncertain times. As this whole situation plays out, we extend our sincere thanks for your support and understanding of this difficult decision.

June 18, 2020 10:54 a.m.

Assistance available to prevent bear conflicts

A large black bear is just this week’s latest bruin to feast at the St. Ignatius home garbage smorgasbord.

June 18, 2020 10:54 a.m.

U17 soccer club ties 2

At Polson Community Fields behind the Ridgewater Complex, the U17 Polson FC summer soccer club girls team forged a pair of ties during their second week of action. Both games were played against premier level teams which draw from larger metropolitan AA athletic talent pools, underscoring an accomplishment all the more impressive.

June 18, 2020 10:54 a.m.

Mariners lose a pair of doubleheaders, drop one in Libby

Last week the Mission Valley Mariners A squad dropped a pair of conference doubleheaders to both the Bitterroot Red Sox (10-7, 10-9) and the Bitterroot Bucs (3-1, 7-4) on the road in Hamilton and Florence respectively on June 10.

June 18, 2020 10:54 a.m.

Showboat Cinema gets extension on remodel grant

The Showboat Cinema expansion and remodel project in downtown Polson is on the final stretch.

June 18, 2020 10:54 a.m.

Polson records five wins in USA Softball opening week

This past week the USA Softball Montana league kicked off with a little competition from the rain, but several games were still recorded in the books.

June 18, 2020 10:53 a.m.

Sewer rate hike coming in August

Polson city residents will see an increase on the sewer bill beginning this summer.

June 18, 2020 10:53 a.m.

“She encouraged and supported a love of music.”

A lasting legacy — that’s what June Syvrud left after living a life full of music, passion and love.

June 18, 2020 10:53 a.m.

Kalispell’s Mahlen leads Mack Days at halfway point

Anglers are at the halfway point of the 2020 Spring Mack Days Extended Fishing Event. Blustery winds and rain were hampering even the hardiest of the lake trout anglers Saturday and Sunday. Friday was the calmest day of the weekend with a total of 1,564 lake trout entries. Saturday anglers pulled in their lines and headed for shore early. The total for Saturday was 1,281 entries. Sunday quitting time was an even earlier as stronger winds blew across huge white capping waves. The winds brought an end to Jason Mahlen’s perfect 100 fish days.

June 18, 2020 10:53 a.m.

Leonard Dale Snyder, 66

Leonard Dale Snyder, age 66, passed away on June 6, 2020 at his home after a battle with cancer. He was born on July 5, 1937 at the family home in Ronan, MT.

June 18, 2020 10:52 a.m.

Census faces uphill battle in tribal communities

Montana’s tribal communities have some of the lowest Census 2020 self-response rates in the country, threatening federal funding and political representation that is based off census data.

June 18, 2020 10:52 a.m.

Flathead Lake expected to reach full pool this week

At the start of every summer, Flathead Lake residents and business owners eagerly await June 15 — the date the lake is expected to reach full pool at a depth of 2,983 feet and summer recreating can officially begin.

June 18, 2020 10:52 a.m.

Covid cases re-emerge on Flathead Reservation

Health officials with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes on June 12 confirmed four positive COVID-19 cases on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

June 18, 2020 midnight

Legals for June, 18 2020

Thursday, June 11

June 11, 2020 7:12 p.m.

Mariners drop 2 games on the road

The Mission Valley Mariners B team dropped two road games last week against the Kalispell Lakers B and the Glacier Twins B squads. The Mariners A team had the week off.

June 11, 2020 7:12 p.m.

Seifert, Wall win Glacier Bank tourney

Tommy Seifert and Tracy Wall’s 123 earned the championship at last weekend’s Glacier Bank golf tournament at Polson Bay Course.

June 11, 2020 7:12 p.m.

Polson Bay hosting Lake City Open this weekend

The 30th annual Polson Scholarship & Education Foundation Lake City Open will take place at Polson Bay Golf Course this weekend.

June 11, 2020 7:12 p.m.

Mack Days tourney resumes after Covid-19 shutdown

No one has boated the $10,000 lake trout yet, but anglers are back in force on Flathead Lake in the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe’s Mack Days tournament.

June 11, 2020 7:12 p.m.

On the road to red, we’re better together

Each time we cast a vote, we are shaping the future of our country. But never before in my lifetime has a vote been of higher consequence than it will on November 3.

June 11, 2020 7:12 p.m.

Kudos to Lake County election officials

The Elections Office and their team of judges deserve our thanks for doing a difficult job well. Here in Lake County, we can have full confidence in the integrity of our elections.

June 11, 2020 7:11 p.m.

Locals support nationwide Black Lives Matter protests

About 50 people gathered and marched June 4 in Polson to listen to, learn from, and support people of color in the community.

June 11, 2020 7:10 p.m.

Polson counselor honored for making college more accessible

High school counselors play many roles in the lives of students and one of the most vital roles is preparing them for life after high school. Polson High School counselor Betsy Wade specializes in just that.

June 11, 2020 7:10 p.m.

CSKT to reopen offices; free COVID-19 testing available

Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes will reopen its government office on June 29 following an extended shutdown during the coronavirus pandemic.

June 11, 2020 7:10 p.m.

Inspectors find more boats transporting invasive species into Montana

Montana watercraft inspection stations have intercepted 13 boats carrying invasive mollusks into the state this year. As of May 30, inspectors have caught 12 boats with invasive zebra or quagga mussels and one boat with red rim melania snails attached to watercraft.

June 11, 2020 7:10 p.m.

Stream flows forecast to run above average

Mountain snowpack in the Kootenai, Flathead and Lower Clark Fork River river basins is above normal for the beginning of June, according to a statewide water supply report by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

June 11, 2020 7:10 p.m.

Glacier Park reopens with limited access

Daniel Carlson and his family sat in their motorhome at the west entrance to Glacier National Park Monday morning. They were the first visitors, aside from a few who decided to go around the gate, to enter the park in its reopening after being closed since March 27 due to concerns about spreading the novel coronavirus.

June 11, 2020 7:10 p.m.

Auditor advises steps to take after storm damage

HELENA – State Auditor Matt Rosendale is advising Montanans to be vigilant after last weekend’s storm brought strong winds and damaged properties in Northwest Montana.

June 11, 2020 7:10 p.m.

Whitefish Mountain Resort plans June 13 opening

Whitefish Mountain Resort opens most of its summer activities beginning Saturday, June 13.

June 11, 2020 7:10 p.m.

Locals named to UM Dean’s, President’s lists

At the University of Montana, 2,892 students made the spring semester 2020 Dean’s list or President’s 4.0 list.

June 11, 2020 7:10 p.m.

Fees increase for national forest camping

The cost to rent a cabin or campground at some sites in the Flathead National Forest has increased.

June 11, 2020 7:09 p.m.

Study reveals wastewater treatment impact on lake health

FLATHEAD LAKE – Large-scale, rapid advances in wastewater treatment systems are on the rise all over the world. However, the impact on the balance of key nutrients in the waterbodies that these wastewater treatment systems feed into rarely has been examined on a broad scale over a long period of time.

June 11, 2020 7:09 p.m.

Emaline Marie Atchley, 88

Emaline Marie Atchley passed away on June 6 at the Pines of Mission. She was born in Butte on December 1, 1931 to Daniel and Emaline (Byrne) Georgevich.

June 11, 2020 7:09 p.m.

Anna Brueggeman Turney, 71

Anna Brueggeman Turney, 71, of Deer Park, Washington passed away on May 26, 2020 at Avalon Care Center in Spokane. She was born in Polson on June 2, 1948.

June 11, 2020 midnight