Thursday, April 27
Acclaimed authors share work at SKC
The National Book Foundation brings National Book Award-honored authors Tess Gunty and Tommy Orange to Salish Kootenai College in Pablo May 2.
Legals for April, 27 2023
Student art contest focuses on energy use
Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana (CAPNM) is currently sponsoring its fifth annual Art Contest within Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, and Sanders Counties.
Lake County officer involved shooting
The Lake County Sheriff's office announced Tuesday that an officer was involved in a fatal shooting on Monday near St. Ignatius.
Celebrate National Library Week
North Lake County Public Library encourages all community members to visit the library, temporarily located at the Methodist Church on 16th Ave. E., during National Library Week.
Polson School Bonds: I vote yes …
On page 5, readers will hopefully notice and be inspired by the assembly of Polsonites who are voting for the Polson School District’s two bond issues.
Filing opens for municipal elections
Candidates for municipal elections in Lake County can file for office through June 19. The general election is Nov. 7.
State and Tribes consider tax agreement for sharing marijuana revenue
Several state representatives, including Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras, were in Polson last Wednesday for a public hearing on a proposed agreement between the Tribes and State of Montana regarding marijuana taxation.
Last bill standing: County awaits final decision on funding PL 280
House Bill 479, a bill originally introduced by Ronan Rep. Joe Read and Bigfork Rep. Bob Keenan, has passed the House and advanced out of the Senate Finance and Claims Committee by executive action, 19-0, Monday.
Spring Mack Days: Best weekend so far
So far, 188 Spring Mack Days anglers have turned in 23,517 entries, and the sixth weekend was the most successful so far.
Rolfe named Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year
Exhibits such as a tower of leafy green lettuce and flats of other plants, wooden bowls and turned items, art pieces, and sewing projects were on display during last Tuesday’s Great Futures Luncheon, held by the Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Nation and Lake County.
Cowboy Ball packs the tent at Polson Fairgrounds
Inside the big tent on the Polson Fairgrounds Friday night, a sea of western hats and decked-out ladies ebbed and flowed around the dining tables into groups of friends, three silent auction “corrals,” two no-host bars catered by the Perfect Shot Tavern, and the live auction items. It was the 31st annual Cowboy Ball banquet and auction held by Polson Fairgrounds, Inc.
Lewis Croft, 87
Born April 22, 1935, Lewis Croft passed away April 20 from lung cancer at St. Peters Hospital in Helena.
Spring Sports Calendar
Lake County's teams are playing on the road and at home this week. Here's our roundup:
Todd signs with Whitworth University
Polson High School's tennis star, Clara Todd, has signed on to play college tennis at Whitworth University in Spokane.
Baseball: Polson loses to Hamilton, but posts three wins
Hamilton notched two runs in the top of the sixth en route to a 3-1 victory over Polson on Saturday, April 22, snapping the Pirates’ eight-game winning streak, which included last week's shutout of Mission.
Athletes fair well at meets in Missoula, Co-Falls and Corvallis
Lake County athletes were on the road last week to track meets in Missoula, Columbia Falls and Corvallis.
Softball: MAC and Polson remain conference powerhouses
Last week's victories over Columbia Falls and Browning improved the Lady Pirates' conference record to 6-0. Mission-Arlee-Charlo's bats continue to do incredible work, as evidenced by their wins over Troy and Plains.
Tennis: Polson stays on top with two wins
Polson continues to perform well in tournament action, which bodes well for divisionals and state in the near future.
Raymond A. “Raymie” Frey, 78
Raymond A. “Raymie” Frey, 78 of St. Ignatius, passed away at his home on Sunday, April 16.
Cooperative solution lifts closure of Mollman Pass Tr. Road
The temporary closure of Mollman Pass Trail Road, south of Ronan, was lifted last Thursday thanks to an agreement between the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Lake County and the Montana Department of Transportation.
Smart shopping by the federal government
When I want to buy a new car, I want to be able to negotiate a price rather than blindly pay the asking price. That’s because I’m a smart shopper.
Arlee hosts rugby tournament and clinic
The Montana Youth Rugby Union is sponsoring a High School Girls 7s Rugby Tournament in Arlee on May 6, to help introduce and promote the sport of rugby to girls in western Montana.
Hwy. 93 Ronan project in full swing
The Montana Department of Transportation and Riverside Contracting are taking advantage of the improving weather conditions by continuing work on the Ronan-North U.S. Highway 93 (US 93) project.
Montana Libertarian Party Chair opposes SB 565 re-vote
Monday morning, the Republicans on the House State Administrations Committee voted yet again on SB 565, designed to limit voters’ choices on the ballot in November.
Laws that protect us from our faulty memories
Every little once in a while I am reminded that laws are created to protect us from ourselves, or more particularly from our faulty memories, or from forgetting history.
St. Ignatius Seniors: Yard sale this week
The St. Ignatius Senior Center’s indoor yard sale will be 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 28-29. Come in on Friday and enjoy our noon meal.
Legislature should fund school lunches, not tourism ads
I previously served in the legislature, but these days I teach preschool. Every educator I’ve met can tell you the difference between a child who’s well-fed, and one who’s hungry.
Claire Marie and Daphne Kaylin Dupuis
Claire Marie and Daphne Kaylin Dupuis were born Jan. 28 at Community Medical Center in Missoula to Anna and Daylen Dupuis of Polson.
Mission Valley Calendar
Check out these local events, readings, lectures and other cultural events
On the Agenda
A roundup of local meetings this week and next.
Time Capsule: Stag party, T.B. testing, Allard stage, 300th baby
Stroll through the newspaper archives from 1940, 1960 and 1971.
20th Judicial District Court News
The following cases were heard by Judge Kim Christopher in District Court recently:
Betty Harvey, 92
Betty Mae (Monger) Harvey was born Feb. 17, 1931, and died at age 92 on April 17, 2023, in Manhattan, Mont. She was born in Bozeman to Joe and Dorothy (Nelson) Monger and grew up in Belgrade.
Kenneth Krantz, 79
Kenneth (Kenny) Harley Krantz, 79, of St. Ignatius sang his last refrain of “Take Me Home Country Roads” on April 19, 2023.
P.E.O. Chapter presents “Ready? Set- Goals!” workshops
Now in its fourth year, P.E.O. Chapter CA, Polson, recently presented their “Ready? Set- Goals!” program to eighth grade girls at Mission Valley Christian Academy and area homeschoolers and to Polson Middle School girls in March.
Ronan Seniors: Cookbook fundraiser
The Area VI Council on Aging is having a cookbook fundraiser. To submit a recipe, stop by and pick up a form.
Help an osprey by collecting twine
The Owl Research Institute (ORI) encourages farmers and ranchers to collect and properly dispose of baling twine and other bits of trash before osprey begin nesting in the Mission Valley.
Polson Seniors: 650 use tax services
About 650 citizens used the Polson Senior Center tax filing services this year. AARP provides computers, programing, and printers. Seven trained volunteers assisted in providing this service to our community.
Edward Alfred Sharbono, 83
Edward Alfred Sharbono, age 83, of Polson passed away Monday, Dec. 19, 2022, in Polson due to many health issues.
Thursday, April 20
Polson and MAC post big weekend softball wins
Polson and Mission-Arlee-Charlo softballers score big wins.
Glacier Brewing brings home the iron from Bigfork Brewfest
The Bigfork Brewfest’s People’s Choice Award for Best Beer went to Glacier Brewing Company in Polson for its Snowpack Limoncello Seltzer.
Northwestern Energy proposal costs too much
Northwestern Energy's (NWE) proposed 25% rate increase seems like an extreme business proposal that will significantly add to Montanans’ economic struggles during these times of high inflation.
Washington man convicted of drug trafficking
A federal jury recently convicted a Washington man of trafficking methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine in Lake County last year.
Jonathan Allen Parsons, 87
Former Polson resident Jonathan Allen Parsons, 87, passed peacefully on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater, Minn.
St. Ignatius High Honor Roll
The following students have met the requirements for third quarter Honor Roll at St Ignatius High School:
Landslide alert issued for Missions
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes announced last week that recent landslides have occurred in the areas of McDonald Lake and Mission Reservoir.
Elks donate to local fire departments
Montana State Elks Association delivered two checks March 14 to local fire departments as part of a major project program, "Aid to Rural Fire Departments."
Polson Seniors: About those taxes
If you haven’t filed your IRS form 1040 EZ by the time you read this, it’s not too late to file for an extension. That EZ at the end is supposed to mean “Easy,” but it never is.
Time Capsule: Cheap land, Bomb scare, Big rate hike, Cross-deputization
Take a stroll through archives of local weekly newspapers
Polson rancher honored for contributions to range management
Polson cattle rancher Greg Gardner received the Sustained Lifetime Achievement Award at the Society for Range Management’s 76th Annual Meeting in Boise, Idaho, in February.
After a successful run "The Year of Dog" goes digital
The Polson-based entertainment distributor originally signed the film for nine screenings, but now it's been shown in over 100 theaters.
If it was your house, would you fix it?
By now, your ballot(s) for the Polson School District Bond election should be en route to your mailbox if they haven’t already arrived.
Natalie Helser: An exuberant learner
Natalie Helser settles herself on the seat of a horse-drawn plow and clicks her tongue. Arnica and Lucy, two big, broad-shouldered Belgians, step slowly, calmly ahead, churning dirt as they go.
Polson sweeps matches at Cut Bank Invite
Polson High School boys and girls tennis teams swept their competition at the Cut Bank Invitational over the weekend. The Pirates and Lady Pirates didn't back down against other big Class A schools and showed they were one of the toughest squads around.
Local schools shines in Dilly Bar Invite
Ronan's Dilly Bar Invite on Saturday, April 15, brought in many local athletes to compete at the same meet. Ronan shined as the home team, placing second as a boys' team and third as a girls' team.
Baseball scoresheet: Local teams on top
Cymian Kauley pitched five innings of one-hit baseball while striking out six to help lead the Pirates to an 11-victory over Plains/Hot Springs on Thursday, April 13. At the same time, Mission made the most of four hits, defeating Troy 14-2 in baseball action.
Spring Sports Calendar
Tennis, softball, baseball and track: This week in spring sports --
20th Judicial District Court News
News from the 20th Judicial District Court in Polson:
Swimming Horse Distillery awaits city review
Construction on Swimming Horse Distillery, to be located on the corner of First Street East and Hwy. 93 in Polson could begin soon, according to Pat McCarthy, one of the four owners.
St. Ignatius Seniors: Burn carefully
Please be careful when burning yard waste, papers, and fields. As many of you know that a family lost their house in Polson to fire this last weekend.
Beadwork Celebration stresses strength, resilience
This is the first year for the Beadwork Celebration sponsored by SAFE Harbor.
Bond issues on the ballot in Polson
Last Tuesday night, about 35 volunteers took to the streets of Polson, before flooding the community with around 3,000 brochures that explain the two bond issues voters face in the current election.
Spring Mack Days: Lots of fish and one net
Anglers had a good fifth weekend of fishing on Flathead Lake, reeling in 3,093 lake trout entries plus one fishing net that Jack Kirkland of Missoula landed on Saturday.
State Bird: Longspur versus Meadowlark
Recently Matt Smith and Marc Devokaitis posted online "A Modest Proposal: Can EBird Help Choose Better State Birds?" They propose replacing the Western Meadowlark with the Thick-billed Longspur as the State Bird of Montana.
Strong wind fuels fires in Mission Valley
The wind that walloped the Mission Valley Sunday evening kept firefighters busy responding to a house fire in Polson and several runaway grass fires.
Arlee farm offers rainbow of fruits and vegetables
On Harlequin Organic Produce’s 20-acres near Arlee, farmers Kaly Hess and Brian Wirak are months ahead of the home gardeners. They have had planting on their minds all winter long, ordering seeds, planning fields, and tuning up all the tractors and greasing machinery.
Flooring, stone and tile store delivers wide variety at new location
People planning to redecorate their homes, do-it-your-selfers, and new developers are just some of the folks who come into Home Floor Covering and Polson Stone and Tile at its new location, 35923 Mud Lake Trail, Polson, just east of Hwy. 93.
Legals for April, 20 2023
Monday, April 17
Mission Valley Calendar
Check out our guide to Mission Valley events.
Thursday, April 13
Polson Police Chief steps down after DUI arrest
Polson Police Chief Wade Nash has stepped down from his role, effective Tuesday, and has announced that he will officially retire from the force May 2.
Polson Seniors: Fake Spring
Local folks know that we have twelve seasons. April is called Fake Spring because it snows and it’s cold. Winter ends on May 3, then Spring starts, or as we say, the season of road construction.
William Archie Ashley, 79
William Archie Ashley of Pablo, age 79, passed away April 4, 2023, at St. Joseph Medical Center, with his sister June by his side.
Teresa Michelle Dury, 66
Teresa Michelle Dury of Bigfork died April 4, 2023. She was 66.
Walk/run calls attention to Missing/Murdered Indigenous People
A collaboration of partners from across the Flathead Reservation, along with the Rising Hearts-Running for Justice Initiative, will be hosting a 5K Walk/Run at Salish Kootenai College in Pablo on May 6 in conjunction with the designation of May 5 as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People.
Grass-burning projects scheduled this week
The Division of Fire Fuels Program will be conducting a few prescribed grass burns for the CSKT Natural Resources Department the week of April 10-14, weather permitting.
Cherry growers to meet Saturday
The 85th annual cherry growers’ meeting, presented by the Flathead Lake Cherry Growers Association, will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 15, at the Yellow Bay Community Clubhouse, 23429 Montana Hwy. 35.
Polson High Honor Roll: Quarter 3
Polson High School lists students who made the third quarter honor roll.
Marriages & Divorces
The following marriages and divorces were recorded at the Lake County Courthouse in March:
Families First seeks program coordinator
Families First Learning Lab is continuing their expansion in the Mission Valley and looking for a new Lake County program coordinator to develop education-focused workshops, classes, and connection opportunities for area families.
Andrew Dan'l Jackson, 37
Andrew Dan’l Jackson of Polson, age 38, died on April 4, 2023, after he suffered a hemorrhage of his upper GI tract.
Streamflow forecast positive for Missions
As Montana enters spring and the typical snowpack peak season, the water supply outlook is currently good across most of the state, but below average in much of the western part.
Bond issue: Let’s build more bathrooms
Did you know that the entire four years my oldest son was at Polson Middle School, he claims he did not use the bathroom there even once? While he may be exaggerating, let’s look at some numbers.
First Flathead Beacon, first women jurors, runaway dock, inevitable growth
A look through the archives: First Flathead Beacon lasts two years, first women to serve as jurors, runaway dock and inevitable growth
The cost of unity is uniformity
I give an unapologetic sigh of relief that the Legislature’s attempts to send harmful – in my view – amendments to the Montana Constitution to the voters are in trouble.
Mission Mountain Enterprises relocates and rebrands
Mission Mountain Enterprises is relocating, not so much moving out of Ronan, according to the organization’s CEO Lauren Oliver.
Jimmie Ray "Jim, Sasquatch, Big Jim" Fahlgren, 68
Jimmie Ray (Jim, Sasquatch, Big Jim) Fahlgren, age 68, passed away on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at his home in Polson from natural causes.
Spring Mack Days: Angler reels in Easter lunker
An Easter Surprise and a catch of a lifetime happened for Bryan Long of Columbia Falls over the fourth weekend of 2023 Spring Mack Days event on Flathead Lake. Instead of an Easter basket of goodies he reeled in a 36.65 lb., 45.5-inch lake trout.
Ballots go out Friday, must be returned by May 2
Ballots go out Friday, April 14, for school board elections around Lake County, as well as the Polson School District’s two bond issues (one for the elementary and one for the high school).
On the agenda
Meetings coming up in Lake County:
Busy week for Track and Field
Wins posted for Mission's Bryce Umphrey, Ronan's Leina Ulutoa and Arlee's Raven Parson.
Pirates claim tennis triumphs against Dillon, Whitefish
The Pirates may be busy, but you can’t argue with the results. Polson boys and girls tennis picked up team wins against Dillon on Friday, and then downed Dillon and Whitefish the very next day.
Cowboy Ball comes to town April 21
Dust off your good hat and polish up your boots, ‘cause it’s time for the Cowboy Ball on Friday, April 21.
Bison Range schedules road maintenance
As part of ongoing spring maintenance, the Bison Range will close all scenic drives on Monday, April 17. The Visitor Center will remain open, with modified hours of operation from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Day Use Area will remain open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Mission Valley Calendar
From a beadwork celebration, to dance, music and the Cowboy Ball: your guide to Mission Valley events.
Hertz: Not playing fair in the sandbox
More alarming is Polson Senator Greg Hertz’s bill, passed last week by the Senate, that would require the two candidates who receive the most votes in primary elections for U.S. Senate to advance to the general election, irrespective of party affiliation.
New CSKT Health Center opens in May
Access to health care for Ronan-area tribal members and descendants will improve dramatically when the new CSKT Health Center opens in early May.
Ronan and Mission get early season wins over Bigfork, Anaconda
In tennis action on Tuesday, April 4, the Ronan boys' tennis team won over visiting Anaconda, while the Ronan girls tied with Bigfork.
Plains outscores MAC in first matchup of season
The Plains Horsemen combined solid pitching, both starting and relief, with timely hitting as they outscored Mission 14-8 last Thursday.
Ronan, Polson softball teams best Whitefih
The Ronan Maidens had their bats going in their season opener against Northwestern A Conference foe Whitefish on Thursday, April 6, collecting 12 hits en route to a 15-0 victory.
Polson Baseball bats down Frenchtown, Troy
The ship keeps sailing for the Pirates, whose power and pitching continue to topple teams in Western Montana.
Spring Sports Calendar
Check out the springs sports calendar
20th Judicial District Court News
Cases heard recently in the 20th District Judicial Court:
Courthouse turbulence: Two elected officials and CFO announce departures
Two Lake County elected officials and the chief financial officer announced last week that they are leaving the courthouse in the near future.
Legals for April, 13 2023
Blue Jackets do well at State
Mission Valley FFA showed their mettle in Great Falls March 21-25 during the 93rd Montana State FFA convention, which celebrates students and their accomplishments.
Ronan Seniors: Sunday dinner coming up
A Sunday dinner, featuring roast pork or roast beef, will be served from noon-2 p.m. April 16.
Thursday, April 6
Swan Song: Beloved choral director takes final bow
Last Saturday, Christian Bumgarner stepped in front of the Mission Valley Choral Society for the final concert he’ll lead under the arched ceiling and luminous paintings of the historic Mission in St. Ignatius.
DEQ issues permit for controversial Arlee gravel pit
According to a press release, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued an opencut mining permit for a controversial gravel pit northeast of Arlee, just off of White Coyote Road.
Mack Days: Windy weather keeps anglers at bay
The fish are biting on Flathead Lake but the weather did not cooperate during the third weekend of the nine-week long Mack Days Fishing Event.
20th Judicial District Court News
Judge Kim Christopher presided over the following cases in District Court in Polson last week:
Spring Sports Calendar
Baseball, track, softball and tennis: your guide to prep sports in the Mission Valley
Spring Sports Roundup
Despite a chilly start, Mission Valley baseball, tennis and softball teams
Lake County athletes post some wins at Dave Tripp Memorial
Arlee had a pair of event winners, Charlo notched a victory in running, and both C schools finished within the top ten at the Dave Tripp Memorial Track Meet on Friday.
Linda Jane Madsen Wold, 83
Linda Jane Madsen Wold, 83, Polson, passed away on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at the family cabin on the Swan River. She was born in Missoula on Jan. 22, 1940, to Lester and May Madsen.
Hertz touts tax reductions passed by Legislature
The 2023 Montana legislature began its legislative session with an unprecedented surplus, mainly due to the over-collection of state taxes from Montana taxpayers.
Runaway team, Killed mountain lion, Polson Creamery, New high school, Courthouse annex, Retrocession falters
Take a trip through the archives: Runaway team, Killed mountain lion, Polson Creamery, School bond, Courthouse annex, Retrocession falters
A legacy of pickles, pies and pluck
The last time I saw Aunt Thelma, on the day before she died, she was sitting in her hospital bed at St. Joe’s, balancing her checkbook. A grandson was dispatched to track down a red pen because a blue one wouldn’t do.
Sandpiper Gallery gleams after remodel
In January of each year, the Sandpiper Art Gallery and Gifts in Polson closes for “work days,” and this year gallery director Margery Christensen, along with gift shop director Denise Zemke, used the time to spruce up the space.
DNA technology solves 41-year-old mystery
Montana woman identified
Mildred Hubertz was 59 when she went missing from St. Ignatius, Mont., in 1968. In November 1982, hunters near Newport, Wash., — an almost four-hour drive from the small town 40 miles from Missoula — found a partial human skull in a remote wooded area north of the small Pend Oreille County community. Friday, Pend Oreille County officials announced the skull was Mildred's — a discovery they said was made possible through investigative genetic genealogy.
J. David "Dave" Bennett, 76
J. David “Dave” Bennett of Ronan, age 76, passed away March 30, 2023, at Logan Health Kalispell.
Appreciates safer animal crossings on 93
It is gratifying to see more effort, such as the installation of taller fencing north of St. Ignatius and in other areas along Highway 93, to facilitate safer crossings for all wildlife, including turtles, deer and bears.
Methodists celebrate Easter with four events
Four events for Easter morning, April 9, are on the schedule for the Mission Valley United Methodist Church on the top of Post Creek Hill.
Mission Valley Calendar
Egg hunts, dance and jam sessions and art shows: your guide to Mission Valley events.
Busy week for Ronan-North project
This week is a busy one on the Ronan-North U.S. Highway 93 project. Riverside Contracting will begin installing a 54-inch siphon pipe, requiring excavation through the roadway.
On the agenda
Get involved and informed about local government.
Polson man detained on drug charges
Kellen Kantrell Norman, 19, of Polson, appeared in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto for an initial appearance on a criminal complaint on March 31.
Beadwork Celebration honors survivors, builds support
Looking for a way to recognize the realities of sexual assault through a new lens, as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, brought about a refocusing that led to the creation of the Beadwork Celebration on April 13.
Ronan Seniors: Easter dinner is Friday
Upcoming meals include Easter Dinner with ham, April 7.
St. Ignatius Seniors: Easter Egg Hunt
There will be an Easter Egg Hunt in St. Ignatius at 10 a.m. April 8 at the High School. Don’t be late.
Polson Seniors: Pink Moon emerges
The April full moon is above us now. The natives of New England called it the Pink Moon, because that was the time of year when a variety of creeping phlox bloomed with pink flowers in April.
View from the Library: Check out the new location
Things have been a little crazy for us at the library, but so many exciting things are happening this month.
Teachers are on the front lines
School shootings and the bloody murders of totally innocent children and their teacher caretakers is a societal tragedy that Americans have become numb to. On the front line of the onslaught are the teachers.
Young wildlife: “If you care, leave them there”
“If you care, leave them there!” That’s the motto of the CSKT Wildlife Management Program.
Donald Raymond (Jake) Jacobson, 93
Donald Raymond Jacobson was born in Garwood, Idaho on Nov. 15, 1929, to Rudolph Ernest Jacobson and Alma Lydia Owen Jacobson.
Zana Niblack
The memorial service for Zana Niblack is at the Polson Presbyterian Church on Saturday, April 15, at 2 p.m.
J. David Bennett, 76
J. David “Bubba" Bennett of Ronan, 76, was called home on March 30, 2023, while surrounded by his family, telling jokes and laughing all the way to the end.
Legals for April, 6 2023
Thelma Dixon Niemeyer, 97
Thelma Dixon Niemeyer of Hot Springs, age 97, passed away on March 30, 2023, at St Joseph Medical Center in Polson.
Lake County gears up to celebrate Centennial
The first entry into the minutes of the Lake County Commissioners on Aug. 10, 1923, includes the following statement: “This is the day on which Lake County begins to function.”
