Ellington

Legislative hopeful questions whether reservation votes should count

A legislative aide with aspirations of representing House District 80 in the 2023 Legislature questioned in public remarks Tuesday whether members of tribes living on reservations in Montana should be able to vote in state elections.

Legislative Outlook: Senators weigh in

Senators Greg Hertz of Polson and Dan Salomon of Ronan return to Helena next Monday when the 68th session of the Montana Legislature convenes.

Polar Bear Plunges mark New Year

With temperatures last week dipping to nearly minus 30, it’s a safe bet that Flathead Lake is frigid.

Water Court deadline is Feb. 9

Did you know that the Water Court has granted a 60-day extension for filing an objection to the CSKT Compact?

Fix the reimbursement rate for nursing homes

Of all our constituents across Montana, the most deserving are our elderly neighbors who are on Medicaid benefits.

Polson Senior Center hosts New Year’s Eve party

Looking for a New Year’s Eve activity? The center is hosting a New Year’s Eve Card and Bingo Party from 8 p.m.-midnight, Dec. 31 with potluck snacks.

Young Farmer & Rancher Committee hosts Leadership Conference

The Montana Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Committee will hold its Leadership Conference Jan. 27-29 at Fairmont Hot Springs.

Avalanche warning extended

Current weather conditions are creating dangerous avalanche conditions according to the Flathead Avalanche Center, located in Hungry Horse.

Taking a Break: How leagues are shaping up after early play

The winter sports season always heats up after Christmas break, but the holidays do give the state a chance to look around and see how the early season is going for teams.

Ronan basketball teams heading to Alaska after winning prize trip

The Ronan boys and girls basketball teams will be taking the trip of a lifetime at the end of January after winning the Alaska Nets High School Movie Night Grand Prize.

Wilson, Umphrey and Sargent named to Shrine Game Roster

Polson quarterback Jarrett Wilson was selected to play in the 76th East-West Shrine Game. Also on the team is Mission wide receiver Bryce Umphrey and Mission outside lineback Canyon Sargent.

Prep Sports Roundup: Charlo, Arlee, Polson persist despite cold front

The Vikings were not hampered by Arctic conditions, nor were they burned by Hot Springs in a 61-39 Western 14C victory on Friday, Dec. 23.

Lake County Dispatch Center receives much needed makeover

“These people are the true first responders,” says Lake County Emergency Management coordinator Mark Clary of the staff at the Dispatch Center, tucked away on the second floor of the courthouse.

Leon Hall: Still thriving in its second century

On the second Wednesday of each month, the lights are on at Leon Hall as members of the Leon Club gather for a happy half hour and potluck dinner at one of the Mission Valley’s first schoolhouses, built in 1914.

Richard “Dick” Jessen

Richard “Dick” Jessen peacefully passed away at home in Ronan surrounded by family on Nov. 21.

Zana Jo Niblack

Firm in her faith, Zana F. Niblack went home to her Lord on Dec. 1, 2022. She was born in Missoula on April 16, 1940, and spent her life before marriage on the family ranch.

Ruth Moody

Sharon Moody, 79, of Ephrata, Wash., went to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022.

Legals for December, 29 2022

Rock slide closes Hwy. 35

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) closed Montana Highway 35 from Polson to Yellow Bay Tuesday afternoon due to rock slides.

On the agenda

Lake County Commissioners will hold a public meeting on the resolution to withdraw from Public Law 280 from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, in the Large Conference Room in the Lake County Courthouse.

Legals for December, 22 2022

Betty Coriell

Polson resident Betty Ardell Coriell, age 93, passed away Dec. 11, 2022.

UM student and Polson grad snags prestigious Marshall Scholarship

If academic scholarships came with trophies University of Montana senior and Polson native Beatrix Frissell would need a case.

UM hires Karla Bird as tribal outreach specialist

The University of Montana has selected Dr. Karla Bird, a member of the Amskapi Piikani Nation (Blackfeet), as its tribal outreach specialist in the Office of the President.

Local Native-owned businesses receive grants

Eagles Wings and Sunshine Can-dles, both of Polson, were among 24 new and expanding Native-owned small businesses that received Montana Indian Equity Fund (IEF) Small Business Grants.

When Old Man Winter gets cranky

Mission Valley residents took an early polar plunge this week as an Arctic weather system barreled south, delivering what threatened to be historically cold temperatures across Montana.

Carver shapes pair of snow bears

“Montana’s first polar bears” says sculptor Will Richards of the two snow carvings on the corner of his brother Larry’s place on Fulkerson Lane, east of Polson.

Last chance to hit brakes

I am writing in regards to the federal government’s confiscation of Montanan’s water rights under the guise of the CSKT water compact, and the urgent need for Montanans to file objections.

Boys & Girls Club opens new building in Mission

A flock of St. Ignatius Elementary students were among the first visitors at the community’s new Boys &d Girls Club, located in the former Mission Lumber building on Blaine St., just a block from the school.

Elks Hoop Shoot lists winners

With a lot of concentration and often remarkable aim, kids ages 8-13 shot for the net at Linderman Gym in Polson Saturday during the Mission Valley Elks Hoop Shoot.

Prep Sports Roundup: Pirates win on the road

During busy week, Polson teams best Libby in basketball, Two Eagle runs past Alberton and Maiden wrestlers take fifth at CMR Holiday classic.

Arlee wins Lake County rivalry matchup against Charlo

Despite 23 points from Charlo’s Keaton Piedalue, Arlee was able to take home the Lake County bragging rights with an 83-72 victory in non-league play in Charlo Saturday.

Ronan picks up first victory of the year

Coming off a one-point loss to East Helena on Dec. 10, the Ronan girls basketball team put in a strong defensive performance Dec. 15 and picked up their first win of the season.

Arlee gravel mine permit delayed, again

Now, the Garden of a Thousand Buddhas released a letter asking the state to reconsider the application.

Mission Valley Accomplishments

Locals were in the news lately with achievements ranging from a win by Mika Smith, 10, in the governor's Youth Hunting Story contest, to a national achievement award that went to automotive tech Andrew Jensen.

Lucy (Simmon) McCrumb

Lucy (Simmon) McCrumb, 81, of Polson, passed away on Dec. 16, 2022.

Senior worried about water rights

I have a lot of concerns about this CSKT Water Compact.

Merry Christmas from St. Ignatius Senior Center

Merry Christmas to all the readers. May you have family and/friends near and enjoy your time together.

Polson Senior Center hosts birthday dinner Dec. 23

The Polson Senior Center is hosting a New Year’s Eve Card and Bingo Party from 8 p.m.-midnight, Dec. 31 with potluck snacks.

Eugenia (Jean) P. Schlatter

Former Polson teacher Eugenia P. Schlatter, 91, passed on Dec. 6, 2022, in Melbourne, Fla.

Pinfest: Pirate wrestlers best and tie Browning

Pinfest is perhaps the best description of Polson's Dec. 8 wrestling dual with the Browning Indians.

Legal Tip of the Week: Housing instability

Did you know there are two Montana programs designed to help individuals who are worried about or facing housing instability?

Prep Sports Calendar: December

Mission Valley schools take to the mats and courts this month as the winter sports season gets underway.

Polson Senior Center joins digital age

The Polson Senior Center is developing a Facebook page and an active email list for our members and the community at large.

Opposes CSKT Water Compact

I am writing regarding the CSKT Water Compact. The wording of this behemoth of government overreach, Constitutional (U.S. and MT) violations and lack of due process is deliberately full of confusing legalese ...

Autocracy vs. democracy

Having Donald Trump 'front and center' in the news these past years has offered and continues to offer a marvelous opportunity for our nation.

Polson High senior receives Winslow Nichols Leadership Award

“It’s been my goal to be valedictorian since forever – pretty much at least since I knew what the word meant,” says Polson High senior Aspen McKee.

Lady Pirates struggle to score in opener; claim game two

The Lady Pirates faltered in their first game of the season, but gamed momentum in game two of the Western A Tip-Off Tournament in Frenchtown Friday and Saturday.

Beavers thump Pirates, who deliver against Blue Devils

The Polson Pirates opened their season Friday with a loss to the Dillon Beavers at the Western A Tip-Off Tournament, then triumphed against the Corvallis Blue Devils on Saturday.

Charlo man admits to killing grizzly sow

A Charlo man, who admitted Dec. 9 that he illegally killed a grizzly bear in 2018, was ordered to pay $5,000 restitution and sentenced to two years of federal probation.

Winter Prep Sports Calendar

The winter sports season is in full swing this week for local high school athletes.

Mission Valley Elks host Hoop Shoot

The Mission Valley Elks Hoop Shoot, a free-throw contest for boys and girls ages 8-13, begins at 2 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Linderman Gym in Polson.

Food pantry appreciates support

On behalf of the entire volunteer staff of the Polson Loaves and Fish Pantry, Inc. and our clients, we would like to thank those of you in our community, as well as several donors outside of our area, for your amazing support.

Mission Valley Choral Society tunes up for weekend concerts

This year’s “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” concerts begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at the St. Ignatius Mission and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Ronan Performing Arts Center.

Water Compact objection period extended

After over 250 people filed objections, the Montana Water Court extended the deadline for 60 days.

State seeks to dismiss Lake County’s lawsuit

The State of Montana, represented by Crowley Fleck PLLP, responded Dec. 12 to Lake County’s lawsuit seeking reimbursement for costs incurred from Public Law 280 by seeking dismissal of the complaint.

Public Law 280: Timeline

Public Law 280, the law that allowed the State of Montana to assume criminal jurisdiction over tribal members on the Flathead Reservation, dates back to 1953 when it was passed by Congress, and 1963, when the state assumed that jurisdiction.

Public Law 280 reaches "a breaking point"

Public Law 280, a unique agreement that has shaped law enforcement in Lake County and on the Flathead Reservation for nearly 60 years, has reached “a breaking point,” according to county officials.

Polson, Ronan boys score wins at tip-off tourney

The Polson and Ronan boys each took a win and a loss at the Frenchtown Tip-Off Tournament last weekend.

Lady Pirates top Corvallis, finish 1-1 at tip-off

The Lady Pirates toppled Corvallis 46-34 on Saturday to secure a victory at the Frenchtown Tip-Off Tournament.

Ronan Hall of Fame Profile: Gary Hughes

Gary Hughes will be inducted into the School District #30/Ronan Hall of Fame in February as a “Distinguished Alumni.”

Lady Bulldogs triumph at Coyote Classic

The Lady Bulldogs picked off their first two wins of the season last weekend in Shelby against Fairfield and Cut Bank.

Legals for December, 15 2022

Water Court extends objection deadline

The Water Court has granted a 60-day extension for filing an objection to the overreach of the CSKT Compact.

Legals for December, 8 2022

Two men plead guilty to drug charges

A Pablo man who admitted to trafficking fentanyl pills in the community was sentenced Dec. 1 to four years in prison.

St. Ignatius Senior Citizen Center: Christmas is a’coming

As I look out my window today, winter is upon us. Please stay warm, dry safe and be careful of falls.

Holiday Happenings in the Mission Valley

Holiday festivities continue across the Mission Valley this month.

Illuminated parades twinkle through Polson and Mission

Frigid temperatures failed to daunt parade goers in Polson and St. Ignatius last weekend.

Eleven Ronan and Polson students selected for All-Northwest

Five Ronan High students and six Polson High students were selected for the prestigious All-Northwest bands, orchestras and choirs, which assemble in Bellevue, Wash., Feb. 17-18 to rehearse and perform under the direction of world-renowned conductors.

Lights Under the Big Sky offers flurry of fun

The elves began assembling in September to string lights for Ronan’s epic Lights Under the Big Sky, an event that draws hundreds of visitors from the Mission Valley and beyond to the fairgrounds.

First of his kind: Ethan Mace heads Office of the Engineer

Ethan Mace, the new water engineer for the Flathead Reservation Water Management Board, is settling into his new digs at the former Masonic Lodge in Ronan.

Polson library renovation gets green light

The North Lake County Library will start the New Year moving forward with a major renovation project.

Thanks for help with Christmas festivities

The St. Ignatius Chamber of Commerce we would like to thank all of our sponsors and helpers for this year’s Christmas Carnival and tree lighting and the Parade of Lights participants.

Compact: Overreaching by collusion?

Regarding the pending preliminary decree of the Flathead Compact, Mr. Chris Tweeten, lawyer and 1985 Montana governor appointee to the Reserved Water Rights Compact Commission (RWRCC), was caught on tape in 2012 at a public meeting stating, "We agreed to do this extraordinary thing, frankly, with respect to agreeing to subject or to remove non-Indian rights on the reservation from the jurisdiction and control of the state and place that somewhere else at the tribe's request."

Brenna Fulks rejoins Mission West team

Brenna Fulks has rejoined Mission West Community Development Partners (previously Lake County Community Development Corporation) as its Community Focused Economic Development Director.

MSU seeks elementary teachers for summer STEM experience

Montana State University is recruiting elementary school teachers for a summer program that offers hands-on research experiences and fresh ideas for bringing science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, into their classrooms.

Polson Seniors: Setting up Facebook page

The Polson Senior Center is developing a Facebook page and an active email list for our members and the community at large. This will help promote better communication to our “tech- savvy” peeps.

Montanans float new trust fund for land, water and wildlife

Hunters, biologists, and landowners are asking lawmakers to set aside $200 million of Montana’s historic budget surplus to establish a permanent trust account that would dramatically expand the pace and scale of stewardship and restoration treatments in rural Montana.

Judy Rae Simonson

Our loving mother, Judy Rae Simonson, age 71 of Polson, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph Hospital on Nov. 28.

Living with grizzlies as neighbors

When I was working with a Kenyan outdoor instructor in Wyoming’s Wind River Range a couple of decades ago, he surprised me one day by saying, “Hiking here feels like a walk in the park.”

Reservation hunting hours differ from state’s

Flathead Reservation waterfowl and upland game bird hunters were recently alerted that the legal shooting hour times table has been amended to reflect Daylight Savings Time.

Evan Curtis Krebsbach

Evan Curtis Krebsbach, age 71, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022 at Logan Health in Kalispell.

Zona Danielita Kaml (Knox)

Zona Danielita Kaml (Knox) was called home to rest on Nov. 22, 2022. She was born on Feb. 9, 1959, in Kalispell to Mary Ann (Dunham) Mushel and Gerald Mushel, and was the third of four daughters.

Reach Higher Montana offers 81 $2,000 scholarships

The Reach Higher Montana Scholarship program opened Dec. 1 at reachhighermontana.org, and closes Jan. 15.

Former Chinese dictator leaves gruesome legacy

The mastermind of mass imprisonment, torture, and killing in China has died.

Ronan Hall of Fame Profile: Bobby Camel

Bobby Camel, class of ’78, will be inducted into the School District #30/Ronan Hall of Fame Class of 2022 as a “Distinguished Athlete.”

Supports the Water Compact

The Water Compact (CSKT's FRWRC) passed all its federal hurdles and was signed into law by President Trump on Dec. 27, 2020, but there are those on the Flathead Reservation that still deny the Tribe's rights under Treaty (Hellgate Treaty of 1855) to manage their lands and water.

Polson Seniors: 180 Thanksgiving meals served

The Polson Senior Center served or delivered 120 Thanksgiving meals on Friday Nov. 18.

Legals for December, 1 2022

Applications open for 21st Century Community Learning Centers Competition

Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen will host a grant template meeting for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Competition at 4 p.m. Dec. 1 via Zoom.

2022 Western A Football All-Conference

2022 Western A Football All-Conference

Carol Ann Kelly

After a second struggle with cancer, Carol Ann Kelly was called home to our Lord on Nov. 26, 2022 at her home near Polson, surrounded by loved ones.

Humming a more generous tune

“Thanksgiving is the only holiday we have left in this county that’s only about giving thanks for the things you have."

Former Gov. Racicot: “We’ve got to fix this”

Backed by a wall plastered with Democratic banners from five counties, former Republican Gov. Marc Racicot offered a lesson in civics and civility recently at the Sanders County Fairgrounds 4-H Pavilion in Plains.

Turkey Trot revs appetite and gives back

On a brisk, sunny Thanksgiving morning, around 100 people gathered near the intersection of Hwy. 93 and 35 for the annual 5K Turkey Trot.

Local history: Old friends share recent books

Last Saturday’s book chat at Ninepipes Museum felt like a rendezvous of old friends, as authors and historians Bob Bigart and Joe McDonald joined Carolyn Corey and Steve Lozar to discuss and sign recent books.

Holiday Happenings in the Mission Valley

The holiday season is brimming with cheer, from performing arts to parades and lighting extravaganzas.

First Quarter Honor Roll: St. Ignatius

Thirteen students topped the first quarter honor roll at St. Ignatius High School with 4.0 grade point average.

Ronan Hall of Fame Profile: Crystal Pitts

Crystal Pitts will be inducted into the School District 30/Ronan Hall of Fame in February as a “Distinguished Coach.”

Cold temps give ice anglers a head start

We’ve been given the gift of early ice fishing even before Thanksgiving.