Ellington

Group seeks amendment to Water Rights Protection Act

With support from Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes, a Lake County nonprofit recently submitted a letter to state leaders requesting an amendment to the draft of the Montana Water Rights Protection Act that would provide the Tribes with authorization to use a portion of their Trust Fund to improve the treatment of wastewater throughout the reservation.

Legals for May, 28 2020

SKC student earns PEO scholarship

Salish Kootenai College student Katelyn Barcus was selected for the 2020-21 Jane Hammer Holmgren Scholarship. She was nominated by the P.E.O. Chapter CA of Polson.

High schools forge ahead with unique graduations

The Class of 2020 is finishing a senior year like no other class has known. In the middle of their final semester, a time when the challenges of scholarship applications, AP tests, proms, and sports were some of the top priorities, schools throughout the state and nation were suddenly closed in March, in the face of a growing viral pandemic.

Polson fitness center to reopen

Two weeks ago an announcement from Governor Steve Bullock stated an alteration to Montana’s phase one of reopening plan to begin allowing gyms to open under strict guidelines.

Tribe closes hunting for cow, calf moose

Declining moose populations in Western Montana have led the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe to close hunting of antlerless animals on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Polson man arrested for forgery

A Polson man is facing charges from a 2019 incident after he was recently arrested in Flathead County.

Library continues reopening process

It has been so nice to hear how important the library is to our community and we are so grateful to be able to offer you curbside pickup and home delivery. We have opened our book drop if you would like to return items (even those with stickers saying not to put in the book drop), but we want to reassure you that there is no hurry. We are continuing to extend due dates, which are currently into June, and you are not accruing any fines during this time. Visit www.northlakecountylibrary.org for more details on curbside pickup and home delivery.

Polson’s First Citizens Bank branch sold

Unity Bank, a community bank with 15 locations across Minnesota and Wisconsin, has purchased First Citizens Bank in Polson. First Citizens Bank opened as Unity Bank on May 18.

Runoff creates dangerous river conditions

Spring snowmelt has created high water in streams and rivers in Northwest Montana and forecasters say rain this week

Western Native Voices establishes COVID-19 relief fund

The Western Native Voices COVID-19 Relief Fund has been established in a partnerships between Western Native Voice and We Are Montana to help respond to the urgent requests from Native leaders for resources to support their communities, protect elders, and ensure front line workers have the protection and supplies they need.

Polson gets funding for SWAT gear

Polson Police Department has been awarded a $72,000 federal grant to purchase quick-response protective equipment.

Missoula man dies in Lake County crash

A 47-year-old Missoula man is dead after crashing the pickup truck he was driving early Friday near Pablo.

Museum takes part in Military Appreciation Month

The Miracle of America Museum in Polson is recognizing Military Appreciation Month in May.

Water compact dismantles the balance of power

There’s an enormous threat to the farming and cattle ranching community coming to the western states. One need only review S.3019, intentionally and deceitfully titled “Montana Water Protection Act,” to find answers to these two questions:

Ronan senior uses grandmothers’ legacy to lead through kindness

Brooklyn Kenelty is driven, focused and competitive by nature; but she is equally goofy and fun-loving.

Births

Arlee senior finds science and math a worthy challenge

Denny Nelson-Sween will be giving the Salutatorian speech at Arlee High School’s graduation ceremony this Sunday, May 24. He expects to be finishing his senior year with all A’s and an Honors Diploma, even after taking every difficult math and science class he could fit in.

Polson adopts smoking ban for city parks

Polson has formally adopted a no smoking policy for its city parks.

Fishing access site at Elmo to remain open

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and Lake County recently reached an agreement on a temporary five-year license to keep the Elmo Fishing Access on Flathead Lake open for public use.

Legals for May, 21 2020

The importance of strengthening SNAP in the face of COVID-19

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, our neighbors across Montana are struggling against unprecedented hardships. Tens of thousands of Montanans lost their jobs and many more saw their hours cut in just a matter of weeks. An estimated 165,000 Montanans may face hunger in the coming year – a staggering 51 percent increase in food insecurity.

Help prevent spread of COVID-19

We, the below signed members of the State-Tribal Relations Committee, the Montana Legislature’s liaison with tribal governments, write to encourage the public, residents and nonresidents alike, to comply with restrictions tribal governments adopt to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Pavlock best choice for District 93

It’s time once again for Montanans to exercise their right and privilege to vote. For those of us in House District 93, I recommend Lisa Pavlock. Lisa is committed to quality education, access to health care, and public lands. She is an educator who knows first-hand the importance of investments in education. She supports the continuation of Medicaid Expansion, and support for rural health clinics. And, Lisa knows that Montanans are rich when it comes to our public lands. Access to these treasures must be protected for our children to enjoy as we have. Please join me in voting for Lisa Pavlock for House District 93.

Olszewski ‘unequivocally’ opposes water compact

Montana families, businesses and state will have some difficult times ahead. It is clear that Dr. Al “Doc” Olszewski (R) is the man to lead us as Governor. A Christian, husband, father, Air Force veteran, physician, businessman and state Senator.

Missing persons cases decline on Flathead Reservation

Montana Department of Justice statistics indicate indigenous people are four times more likely to go missing as non-indigenous persons. That’s just one element of a project the Montana Department of Justice unveiled May 5, which was also National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women.

Creativity in the face of a new normal

What are business owners to do when their entire business model becomes moot in the face of a pandemic?

Firefighters work together ‘like clockwork’ on tire fire

Ronan Fire Chief Chase Adler is not a man to brag. After every incident, he and his fellow firefighters discuss what went wrong and what needs improvement when they respond to the next emergency.

Ronan senior runners, thrower focus on silver lining

The senior class of 2020 is missing out.

Command center urges alternate graduation ceremonies

While Governor Steve Bullock has eased restrictions in Montana and allowed school boards to decide if they want to reopen schools and conduct graduations, the Lake County-CSKT Unified Command Center says serious caution should be taken when considering high school graduation ceremonies in the Mission Valley.

State-Tribal Relations Committee meets with CSKT Council

The Montana State-Tribal Relations Interim Committee virtually hosted a meeting last Thursday with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council to discuss important issues within the reservation.

Polson city manager field narrowed to 6 candidates

A committee tasked with finding a new city manager for Polson has narrowed the field to a handful of candidates.

Arlee Powwow canceled due to virus concerns

CSKT Tribal Council agreed last week to accept the Arlee Powwow committee recommendation to cancel the powwow celebration this year due to COVID-19 concerns.

Election administrators begin mailing primary ballots

County election administrators are mailing ballots for the June 2 all-mail primary election to approximately 597,576 registered Montana voters starting Friday, May 8.

Out-of-state person tests positive for COVID-19 in Lake County

An out-of-state individual tested positive for COVID-19 in Lake County this week, according to a press release from the Lake County-CSKT COVID-19 Incident Command System.

Mountain snowpack remains healthy

Weather patterns during the first two weeks of April, while cooler than average, didn’t yield much precipitation across the state of Montana. However, the below average temperatures during this period did help to delay snowmelt at many mountain locations during the first half of the month, according to data collected by SNOTEL sites.

Montana groups launch online voter registration

Last week, our Montana organizations launched an online portal to encourage voter registration.

Montana census resumes operations

Montana census workers are some of the first in the nation able to resume on-the-ground operations, as the U.S. Census Bureau scrambles to get an accurate count of the population in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ronan woman sentenced for embezzlement, tax evasion

A Ronan woman who admitted stealing more than $300,000 from her employer and evading paying income taxes was sentenced Friday to 25 months in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution.

Local students graduate from University of Montana

The University of Montana has 1,863 students who are degree candidates for spring semester 2020, including several in the Mission Valley.

Legals for May, 14 2020

Bio station cancels summer courses

Officials with the Flathead Lake Biological Station have made the decision to cancel summer classes after the University of Montana announced summer 2020 classes would be offered entirely online due to the coronavirus.

Hagadone grant program gives local businesses access to $1 million in advertising funds

The Hagadone Media Group has launched a new grant program offering up to $1 million in matching advertising funds to assist locally owned businesses that have been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

New Linderman Gym goes vertical

Nearly two and a half years after the Linderman Gym collapsed due to extreme winter conditions, progress on constructing a new gym is reaching visible milestones.

Western Montana fisheries are protected, but not irrigators

David Brooks, executive director of Trout Unlimited, promotes the ratification of the Salish Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) compact because it will benefit fish. If you are not a fish, there are 10 major reasons to reject the compact. It gives the Tribe the following:

CSKT outlines fishing regs on tribal lands

Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe officials have shared information regarding fishing on tribal lands.

Command Center warns of possible ‘surge’ in virus cases

The Unified Command Center charged with preparing for COVID-19 cases in Lake County is warning residents about the possibility of an uptick in new cases in the coming weeks, especially given the area’s high percentage of residents considered to be in an at-risk category.

Joan Dykstra, 89

Joan Dykstra of Polson went to be with the Lord on April 26, 2020. Joan was born in Blue Island, IL to Harry and Hazel. The middle one of three children, Joan attended parochial school and graduated from Blue Island High in 1948.

Cheryl Jean McDaniel, 71

Cheryl Jean McDaniel passed away peacefully at her home in Polson on April 23, 2020. Cheryl was born on June 16, 1948 in Pocatello, Idaho to Floyd and Marilyn McDaniel. Cheryl was the oldest of 11 siblings and grew up in Pocatello. After graduating from Pocatello high school in 1967 Cheryl moved to Tacoma, Wash., where she continued her education and became an LPN. After working many years as an LPN Cheryl decided she wanted a change of scenery and in 1978 moved to Helena. While living in Helena, Cheryl worked as veterinarian assistant until 1980 when she moved into the Mission Valley. While living in the Mission Valley Cheryl volunteered at the Mission Valley animal shelter and worked several jobs including ranching, school bus driver and a home caregiver until her retirement in 2002.

Future of Montana’s largest industry at risk

The Board of Directors of the Montana Cattlemen’s Association has studied your proposed Bill (S 3019) which aims to finalize water rights issues between landowners in Montana and the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes (CSKT).

Pizza shop is part of a wave of kindness for Polson’s essential workers

It began in mid-March, when Montanans were first facing the disorienting reality that community life was changing drastically and suddenly. Businesses and schools were shutting down; residents were holing up at home. And the concept of “essential workers” was born — workers at businesses deemed too critical to life as we know it were asked to stay at their jobs through a pandemic.

Thank a law enforcement officer during National Police Week

Every day, sworn law enforcement officers, deputies, agents and troopers across Montana put their lives at risk, often while the rest of us are sleeping. They don’t do it for recognition or money, they do it to protect us and our way of life. Along the way, some sacrifice their bodies . . . and some give up their lives.

Polson airport will use grant funding for repairs

The Polson airport is receiving a grant from the federally funded Airport Improvement Program for $81,000 after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded over $1 billion in grants to 439 airports across all 50 states.

Challenger Cory Knutson seeks county commission seat

“I see a lot of potential for growth in this county, and I’d like to be part of the decision making,” said Cory Knutson, candidate for Lake County Commissioner. “I have three grandkids that live here, and I just want to help make Lake County a great place for them to grow up and live.”

Mussel Walk champ encourages others to join in

Walking slowly, turning over rocks on the lakeshore, is a favorite way for some folks to spend a spring afternoon. With the annual Flathead Lakers Mussel Walk Challenge each April through May, those walks help keep Flathead Lake free of invasive zebra and quagga mussels.

Incumbent Bill Barron seeks third term on Lake County Commission

“I think if you talk to homeowners, landowners, construction people, people who’ve dealt with our office, I think you’ll find they all tell you that I’m a problem solver,” said Bill Barron, who is seeking a third term as Lake County Commissioner.

Legals for May, 7 2020

Permits now required for open burning

Flathead Reservation residents will need a permit to burn from May 1 to June 30.

National Bison Range remains closed

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service temporarily suspended public visitation and use at the National Bison Range April 9 and there is no word on when it may reopen.

Voters elect Ronan, Charlo school trustees

Voters in Ronan and Charlo school districts elected school board members on Tuesday.