Ellington

Lemler admits to strangling former partner

A Missoula man has admitted to strangling the mother of his children. Brent Michael Lemler, 34, entered a plea of guilty to felony strangulation of a partner or family member in Polson District Court Sept. 28.

AgWest grant finances food trailer for RHS

AgWest Farm Credit recently awarded Ronan High School a $65,000 grant to purchase a new food trailer.

AG's office charges Polson officer with child sexual abuse

A recently arrested Polson Police officer was officially charged by the Attorney General’s Office for sexual abuse of children on Friday.

Gala to raise funds to build local recovery center

The Hope for the Mission Valley Gala, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Ronan Community Center, aims to raise funds to open a Hope Center Ministries recovery center for women in Ronan.

Mission Valley Calendar

Your events guide to the Mission Valley

Laverne Parrish Field: Championship team honors war hero

Members of the 1974 Ronan Chiefs – who won the Class A State Football Championship – will be on hand for the home football game against Browning on Sept. 29 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Sgt. Laverne Parrish Memorial Field.

Tax rebate deadline extended to Oct. 2

The Department of Revenue is giving taxpayers an additional day to file for property-tax rebates. They now have until midnight Monday, Oct. 2, to file online or by mail.

Polson sees uptick in road-repair revenues

Better roads appear to be coming down the pike for Polson, based on some budget amendments approved by the Polson City Commission at its regular meeting last Monday, Sept. 18.

Skateboard Crusader: Free boards anyone?

The sound of wheels rolling, smacking and grinding on concrete, applause and shouts of “way to go” accompanied the annual Skate Jam, held Saturday at the Polson Skate Park.

Fall Varsity Sports Calendar

Your guide to varsity sports in Lake County

Valley Volleyball Action

Polson posts two wins; Maidens best Browning, fall to Whitefish; Mission and Arlee split week's games

Charlo cages Darby Tigers, 48-2

Charlo held Darby to 58 yards of offense en route to a 48-2 8-man football victory on Friday, Sept. 22.

Arlee blisters Superior in fifth win

There was little doubt in Arlee’s journey to 5-0 as they battered Superior 70-36 in 8-man football action on Friday, Sept. 22. The Warriors racked up 559 yards of total offense in their fifth win of the season.

Stevensville defeats Ronan in Homecoming matchup

Despite a promising start for the Chiefs, Stevensville scored 14 second-half points on its way to defeating Ronan 26-10 on Friday, Sept. 22.

Columbia Falls Wildcats trounce Pirates

After scoring 90 points in their past two games, the Polson Pirates dropped a Western A football contest 42-0 to Columbia Falls on Friday, Sept. 22.

Polson boys and girls claim Divisional golf titles

The Polson boys and girls won Western A Divisional golf titles on Thursday, Sept. 21, at Whitefish Lake Golf Course.

Polson pushes Columbia Falls to the limit

Columbia Falls needed every one of their second-half goals to survive for a 3-2 victory over visiting Polson on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

Local runners compete in Missoula, T-Falls

Mission Valley athletes found a way to shine against much bigger schools in the Mountain West Classic, and Ronan boys place fourth in Thompson Falls.

Fall Mack Days: Anglers bring in over 4,000 lake trout

Fall Mack Days anglers enjoyed the second good fishing weekend of the event on Flathead Lake. Swirling winds on Thursday were mixing it up on the water keeping some anglers off the lake, but the weekend fishing weather settled down and was good.

Fall Wildlife Festival focuses on bears and stewardship

It’s fall, leaves are turning color, apples are ripening, and wildlife are preparing for that “W” word – winter. It’s time for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Fall Wildlife Festival, held Sept. 30 at the Ronan Visitor’s Center.

Souhrada on World Championship team that bests Brazil

A Columbia Falls native who now lives in Polson is a world basketball champion at the tender age of 71.

Cyclists pick perfect weather for Pedal to Plate

The Ronan area was awash with bicyclists Saturday morning for the Mission Mountain Area Pedal to Plate. The event was sold out with 150 cyclists participating. They gathered at the Ronan Cooperative Brewery on 4th Ave. SW, and pedaled west on Round Butte Road at 9 a.m.

God, guns, guts … and compromise

Sunday, Sept. 17, was the anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution in Philadelphia in 1787. I want to think of those giants of history, the founders of America, brave, wise, not perfect, but good, who compromised, not their principles, but their desires, in order to bring together a nation that has served as a shining example to the world of what can be accomplished for the benefit of humankind. I want to think of them, but what keeps intruding on my thoughts are several people in power who have nothing to contribute to this great nation but their own egos...

Time Capsule: From the Archives

News gleaned from the archives of weekly newspapers published in Lake County.

Tip your hat to the tow-truck drivers

As a past paramedic I’m working to bring attention to another First Responder that is rarely recognized or thanked.

Retired local rancher initiates Land Stewardship Award

The Society for Range Management (SRM) recently established the Chuck Jarecki Rancher Land Stewardship Award, thanks to a generous donation by its namesake, retired Polson rancher Chuck Jarecki.

Ex-boyfriend of missing woman sentenced on firearms crimes

A Missoula man with ties to the Flathead Reservation was convicted by a federal judge of multiple firearms crimes and sentenced Sept. 21 to 21 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, according to U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich.

St. Ignatius Seniors: Kudos to kitchen crew

I want to thank the Kitchen Crew as they are making delicious meals and using local produce to prepare numerous items. We continue to welcome fresh produce from gardens and orchards.

Ronan Seniors: Birthday dinner is Friday

The Mission Valley Senior Center, located across from St. Luke Hospital in Ronan, is typically open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for lunch and other activities.

Polson Seniors: Apply for rebate by Oct. 1

Take a deep breath. We have survived tourists, forest fires and road construction. And now a glorious autumn is here. Gathering, hunting and raking are next!

Randal "Randy" Doss, 53

Randal “Randy” Doss of Polson passed away Sept. 11, 2023, surrounded by family at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Caye returns to custody after allegedly brandishing gun

A Polson man, who was sentenced in District Court May 25 to 10 years with the Montana State Prison on an assault with a weapon charge, with all but 13 days suspended for time served, faces new charges of a similar nature.

Arlee woman charged with criminal mischief, assaulting child

An Arlee woman is accused of breaking numerous windows and injuring a child during a domestic disturbance. Kya Rae Dede Rose Arthur, 28, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson Sept. 21.

Joseph pleads guilty to drug possession

An Elmo man admitted to possessing methamphetamine after being involved in an undercover sting operation.

Valazquez gets prison time for domestic violence

A Billings man, formerly from Polson, was sentenced in Polson District Court Sept. 21 to a total of 10 years in the Montana State Prison with five years suspended on domestic violence-related charges.

Legals for September, 28 2023

Polson Police officer arrested for sexual abuse of children

Polson Police Officer Matthew Timm, 41, was arrested late last Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 13, by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department on a charge of sexual abuse of children.

Write-in candidates file for Ward 2 vacancy

Voters in Polson’s Ward 2 will face a choice between two write-in candidates in the Nov. 7 election.

Polson man charged with homicide

A Polson man has been charged in the suspicious death of his elderly mother. Garret Vaska, 46, has been charged with tampering with evidence and deliberate homicide.

Legals for September, 21 2023

The Bunkhouse: Giving residents a jumpstart

Everyone has seen a western movie with cowboys in a bunkhouse, lounging around after a long day in the saddle, usually playing poker, fighting, or waiting for supper. The Bunkhouse of Ronan is nothing like the movie version.

Beverley Ann Lean, 77

Beverley Ann Lean, age 77 of Polson, passed away Sept. 10, 2023.

Mission Reservoir reopens for fishing

The CSKT Natural Resources Department reopened Mission Reservoir to fishing last Friday, after confirming that water levels have recovered from the previously recorded low levels measured at the end of August.

Washington man convicted of trafficking drugs in Lake County

A 58-year-old resident of Port Orchard, Wash., was sentenced today after being found guilty of trafficking methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine in Lake County last year, according to U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich.

Food Bank welcomes donations

The Town Pump Food Bank Challenge started Sept. 1 and runs through Nov. 30. Each year they challenge the Montana Food Banks to fundraise, and if we meet our goal,they will match the donation. Our goal this year is to raise $15,000.

Live Oak Belgians heads to Draft Horse Classic

Live Oak Belgians of Lake County heads to a prestigious invitational draft horse show, the Draft Horse Classic, held Sept. 21-24 in Grass Valley, Calif., this week.

Polson Seniors: Record set for meals served

Saturday is the first day of fall, and the harvest is well underway. If you have fresh garden produce you can donate to the center, bring it in.

St. Ignatius Seniors: Griz in the orchard

Be careful leaving your house in the evening – bears are out and about. We had a grizzly in our orchard last week.

Ronan Seniors: Welcomes garden produce

If your garden is producing faster than you can eat it, the Senior Center will take any excess you have!

Affordable housing – or not?

I write as a concerned taxpayer in Lake County. I’ve learned the Ronan City Planning Board is reviewing a proposed major subdivision (as defined by Montana law). The proposal is to create a 221 lot subdivision, with allowance to have duplexes for a total of 442 units (w/additional lots in a future review).

Ronan-North project edges nearer to completion

Cleanup, landscaping, drainage and guardrails are among the activities underway this week on the U.S. Highway 93 Ronan-North project as it edges toward completion.

Tribes plan prescribed burns this week

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire Fuels Program plans to conduct prescribed fires on the Flathead Indian Reservation this week.

Here Comes the Sun: Mission Valley Live series kicks off Sept. 27

Mission Valley Live introduces a new season of live music with Here Comes the Sun – Beatles Tribute – 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Ronan Performing Arts Center.

CSKT Bison Range receives grant to add ADA amenities

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Bison Range is among 310 grantees nationwide recently selected to receive an AARP Community Challenge Grant. The $20,000 grant will finance Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant amenities for tribal and community elders and mobility-challenged visitors.

Time for the old order to change

The “United” States aren’t anymore. Politically, our country is a train wreck: polarized, partisan, and divisive.

Time Capsule: From the weekly archives

News gleaned from the archives of the three weekly newspapers that comprise the Lake County Leader.

Maxine’s offers coffee, food and a gathering place

Walk through the door and the rich smell of good coffee greets you at Maxine’s Coffee Shoppe and Eatery. The restaurant, formerly occupied by Blodgett’s Creamery, is located at 325 Main Street in Polson. The new owners are Chell and Shain Little.

Rescued pets and their people attend LSAR barbecue

Lady relaxed in her owner’s arms as Kim and Bill Wright posed for a photo at the Lifesavers Animal Rescue barbecue on Sept. 16 in the pavilion at Ronan City Park. People who have adopted LSAR dogs were invited to the second annual event.

Harvest Fest pays homage to the ’60s

A sunny Saturday brought a lot of folks out for the Ronan Harvest Fest, held Sept. 16 in the grassy meadow by Glacier Bank.

Council approves street closure, election cancellation

Ronan City Council met on Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. Mayor Chris Adler moved the council through the agenda quickly.

Sharon Sampson, 79

Sharon Ann Sampson, 79, long-time resident of Polson, peacefully passed away on Sept. 9, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Deadline Friday for free pickleball clinic

Teens and adults are invited to a free pickleball clinic, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at the new tennis courts in St. Ignatius. Instructor Mike Marnin from Polson will help beginner and intermediate players learn the basics of the game, including rules and skills, with time to play the game. Marnin is a former high school and Montana State University tennis player and a 4.0 pickleball player. Registration to reserve a spot is due by Friday, Sept. 22. Call or text Kimimi Ashley at 406-273-8203 to sign up.

Garlic Festival returns to Mission Falls Market

The Mission Falls Market presents the return of the third mostly-annual Garlic Festival. The celebration of friends, good food, and community occurs during the final farmers market of the season, 5-7 p.m. Sept. 29 at Good Old Days Park in St. Ignatius.

Anglers tally over 2,000 in Mack Days opener

Fall Mack Days on Flathead Lake, sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, began Thursday Sept. 14, with a total of 492 lake trout entries.

Linda L. Johnson, 74

Linda L. Johnson, 74 of Ronan, passed away Sept. 13, 2023, at the Polson Health and Rehabilitation Center. There will be a Celebration of Life for Linda on Oct. 1, 2023, at the Leon Hall Clubhouse outside of Charlo.

20th Judicial District Court News

Kenneth Ambrose Gravelle receives suspended sentences; Andrew Felland sentenced to four years on drug charge.

Lady Pirates sneak past Maidens in homecoming battle

Polson and Ronan exchanged blows in a Northwest A volleyball battle, and the Pirates came away with an 18-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-7 victory that lived up to the hype of the homecoming weekend.

Lady Vikings are road warriors

Charlo picked up a pair of road wins last week, downing St. Regis in three sets on Thursday, Sept. 14, and then defeating Hot Springs in four sets on Saturday, Sept. 16.

Polson continues winning streak against Ronan

Polson continued its winning streak against Mission Valley rival Ronan, defeating the Chiefs for the fifth-straight time in a 48-10 Western A victory at home on Friday, Sept. 15.

Arlee moves to 4-0 with win over Mission

Arlee showed why it has so much attention statewide with a 16-0 8-man football victory over Mission on Friday, Sept. 15.

Polson soccer falls to Whitefish

Whitefish downed Polson 8-0 in Northwest A action on Thursday, Sept. 14. The Bulldogs scored six goals in the second half and limited the Pirates to three shots.

Lady Pirates drop two soccer matches

Lady Pirates fall to unbeaten Whitefish and lose to Bigfork.

Ronan boys top Mission XC Invite

Ronan won the boys' team scoring at the Mission Cross Country Invitational on Tuesday, Sept. 12, while Mission’s Harlon Leishman finished second in the race with a time of 17:24.46.

Polson golfers shine in Kalispell

The Polson girls' golf team won the Kalispell Invitational last Wednesday and Thursday, while the boys' team had Carson Hupka go to a playoff for the individual championship, which eventually went to Glacier’s Cunningham after five holes.

New tipping fee causes garbage rift

A brouhaha between Lake County and Republic Services over a fee hike spilled over into the commission chambers and Leader editorial pages recently, with the disposal service accusing the county of “double dipping” by invoicing them for what’s known in the industry as a “tipping fee.”

Misfit Minister: New Methodist pastor presides over two local churches

The Rev. Jon Umbdenstock is not your mom’s Methodist minister. Clad in a colorful, embroidered western shirt, bolo tie and blue jeans, he looks more like a guitar-slinging mountain-biking, snowboarding millennial (which he is), than a pastor of two churches. In fact, he calls himself the Misfit Minister.

Fall Varsity Sports Calendar

Upcoming varsity sports:

Mission Valley Calendar

Your events guide to the Mission Valley

Charles "Chuck" Hartsoch, 71

Charles Michael Hartsoch, 71, passed away peacefully at his home in Ronan Sept. 4, 2023. There will be a celebration of life at 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, at the Mission Mountain Golf Club, 46664 Golf Course Way, Ronan.

Polson Animal Care moves to spacious new building

Lowell Tyler’s dream for 25 years has been to build his own clinic in a small mountain town, and now, he’s succeeded.

Francis "Dave" Lucara, 82

Francis David “Dave” Lucara of Polson passed away on Aug. 25, 2023, at the age of 82 from his battle with Parkinson’s.

Choral Society resumes rehearsals

The Mission Valley Choral Society begins practices for the group’s 2023 Christmas Concerts at 7-9 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 21, at the Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall in Polson.

Time Capsule: From the weekly archives

News items gleaned from the archives of the Flathead Courier, Ronan Pioneer and Mission Valley News -- the three weeklies that were combined to make the Lake County Leader.

Mission Valley Children's Choir resumes practices

The Mission Valley Children’s Choir begins its eighth year on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at the Faith Lutheran Church, 406 5th Ave. S.W. in Ronan with refreshments and ”together time” at 3:40 p.m. Rehearsals will be held from 4-5 p.m. every Tuesday.

Taurie Matt joins Leader sales team

Taurie Matt, who began working fulltime at the Lake County Leader Sept. 6 as a sales representative, says she’s looking forward to connecting with Mission Valley businesspeople.

Mary Lee Oliverson, 80

Mary Lee Oliverson age 80, passed away on Sept. 6, 2023, in Kalispell. Mary Lee was born on Aug. 3, 1943 to Allen and Willtrude “Billy” (Phipps) Evans, in Windom, Minn., your typical “small town America” setting.

Republic Services disappointed by county accusation

Republic Services has proudly served Lake County for over 25 years. We pride ourselves on being good neighbors in the communities we serve, and we appreciate our long partnership with Lake County and its commissioners.

View from the Library: Busy summer

We wrapped up our annual Summer Reading Program Aug. 17 with ice cream, prize giveaways and children’s book author Valerie Bolling.

Polson Seniors: Pitch in for membership drive

Our annual membership drive kicks off the second week in September.

Ronan Seniors: Looking for help

We are looking for help again – if you are interested please stop in.

St. Ignatius Seniors: Beware of bears

The cool nights are welcome. Beware of bears as they continue to forage for winter rest.

Mel’s Piles of Tires

In the 1970s you didn’t use to see many new pickups in Trout Creek, and when you did you knew who it belonged to. Now you don’t see many old pickups and when you do you also know whose they are.

Mission Valley Calendar

Your events guide to the Mission Valley

Community gathers for Dayton Daze

The American flag fluttered gently above the black horse’s head as rider Charlene Brundage led the 32nd annual Dayton Daze Parade through town at 3 p.m. Saturday. Parade watchers lined the road, visiting with friends, neighbors and visitors.

Bison Range Gathering to be closed to public

This year marks the first Gathering (formally known as Roundup) at the Bison Range under CSKT Management. “To reduce stress for both our animals and our staff, we have decided not to open the Gathering to the public this year.”

Meeting to explore management change at golf course

The Polson Golf Board is meeting with Polson City Commissioners at noon Thursday, Sept. 14, at City Hall to explore a possible reconfiguration in how Polson Bay Golf Course is managed.

Polson Commission adopts mill levy, approves TIF grants

District Court Judge Kim Christopher made a trip to Polson City Hall last Wednesday to swear in the city’s new police chief, George Simpson.

Ronan schools respond to shooting threat

A Ronan High School student who allegedly threatened to “shoot up” the high school last Wednesday has been identified and banned from school property, pending the outcome of a threat assessment.

Mandel “Bud” Louis Pollard, 84

With great sadness, we announce the loss of our beloved husband and father, Mandel (Bud) Louis Pollard. He died peacefully at the age of 84 on Sept. 8, 2023 at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Twin Falls, Idaho, from a short illness, surrounded by his loving family.

Ronan snags thrilling win over Libby

Call them the showtime Chiefs because they certainly put on a show in a 20-19 Northwest A victory over Libby on Friday, Sept. 8.

Charlo celebrates homecoming with win

Charlo held Victor to 39 yards of total offense and came away with a 48-0 8-man homecoming victory on Friday, Sept. 8.

Mission falls to Valley Christian

Despite Titan Mansell’s two touchdown passes, the Bulldogs fell to Valley Christian 43-18 in 8-man football action on Saturday, Sept. 10.

Polson throttles Butte Central

It was quite a night for Polson quarterback Holden Emerson, who ran for 182 yards and four touchdowns while throwing for another in a 42-20 victory over Western A foe Butte Central on Friday, Sept. 8. It was Polson's first win of the season.

Arlee blasts Darby; averaging 54 points per game

Arlee moved to 3-0 on the season with a 52-20 8-man football victory over Darby on Friday, Sept. 8.

Ronan places third in Canal Bank Run

The Ronan boys finished third at their home Canal Bank Run on Saturday, Sept. 9, anchored by a fifth-place finish by Jacob Piapot (17:27.46).

Polson gets pair of frosh firsts at Highlander Invite

Polson Cross Country traveled to Shadle Park High School in Spokane on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 8-9, getting a pair of first-place freshman finishes at the Highlander Invite, featuring many bigger schools from the Pacific Northwest.

Polson girls drop match to Columbia Falls

Columbia Falls' high-power offense powered past Polson 9-1 in a Northwest A girls' soccer matchup on Thursday, Sept. 7.

Polson boys split soccer matches

The Pirates got two goals from Ashtyn Nelson en route to a 3-0 Northwest A victory over Libby on Saturday, Sept. 9, but lost to Columbia Falls last Thursday.

Mission Valley teams have (mostly) winning week

Maidens, Lady Pirates and Lady Bulldogs all tally volleyball wins.

Polson firefighters remember 9/11

On Monday, the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, Polson firefighters, police officers and first responders took turns from dawn until dusk, standing vigil for those firefighters and first responders whose lives were lost trying to rescue others.

Polson golfers win team titles at two meets

Polson wins Libby Invite and home meet.

Fall Varsity Sports Calendar

Golf, soccer, football, volleyball and cross-country contests

Police suspect foul play in Polson death

The Polson Police Department is investigating the recent death of Philista St. John, whose body was found in a residence “under suspicious circumstances.”

On the agenda

Upcoming meetings of local governmental bodies open to the public.

20th Judicial District Court News

Junior Gardipe, 35, of Big Arm, was found not guilty of two counts of felony assault with a weapon and robbery in a jury trial in District Court, but faces charges of one count of felony tampering with witnesses or informants and one count of felony intimidation. Nickalie Chadwick Pierre entered a plea agreement in Justice Deborah “Kim” Christopher’s court on Sept. 7 for one of two cases in District Court, and was sentenced Sept. 11.

Good Samaritans aid accident victims

St. Ignatius Chief of Police Jason Acheson credits two Good Samaritans with helping accident victims after a Saturday collision on Hwy. 93 in front of Allard’s Stage Stop.

Legals for September, 14 2023

Janis "Jani" Irwin, 71

Janis Marie Irwin of Polson went to be with Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior, on Aug. 30, 2023. Her funeral service will be held at New Life Church in Polson on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at 2 p.m.

Legals for September, 7 2023

20th District Court News

Recent cases heard by District Court Judge Molly Owen:

Marriages & Divorces

The following marriages and divorces were recently recorded at the Lake County Courthouse:

St. Ignatius Seniors: Bingo is Sept. 9

We will be playing Bingo again on Sept. 9 at 2 p.m.

Polson Seniors: “Living in America” talk on Sept. 7

Joanne and Jim Simpson and the Polson Senior Center will present: "Living in America: An Immigrant Story of Haiti: From Slavery to the 21st Century" by Mr. Turnier Esperance on Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m.

Commissioners approve 5% salary increase

Prior to adopting the final budget this Thursday, Lake County Commissioners approved a 5% pay increase or $1 more an hour, whichever is higher, for county employees last week.

Climate Warrior: Taleah Hernandez seeks a better future

Taleah Hernandez is optimistic that Montana will live up to its constitutional promise of a “clean and healthful environment” for its citizens – especially in the wake of last month’s Held v. Montana ruling.

Before you get a dog

When asked for advice for a pet owner, Dr. Lowell Tyler, DVM, had the following advice to consider before getting a dog:

Time Capsule: News gleaned from the weekly archives

News gleaned from the archives of the Flathead Courier and Ronan Pioneer

Republican bills aim to improve education

As Montana students head back into the classroom for another year of school, our education system is facing multiple challenges.

Charlo woman charged with fentanyl possession

Rhonda Mae Felsman, 46, of Charlo, appeared in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto on Aug. 29 and pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Arlee wins Lake County rivalry game

Charlo scored first, but the Vikings fell 42-8 in a Lake County rivalry matchup on Arlee’s home field Sept. 1.

Mansell shines in Mission Victory

Titan Mansell threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more as the Mission Bulldogs defeated Troy 50-13 in Western 8-man football action on Friday, Sept. 1, in St. Ignatius.

Fall Varsity Sports Calendar

This week's varsity sports calendar:

Lady Pirates win 2, lose 2 on soccer pitch

Lady Pirates best Corvallis, East Helena, lose to Hamilton, Lone Peak in soccer matches.

Polson Soccer takes down Hamilton

Polson Boys Soccer picked up a 3-1 victory over Hamilton at home on Saturday, Aug. 31. Ashten Nelson and Robert Merchant each had goals and assists in the matchup, while Ted Mausshardt also had a goal.

Mission falls to Anaconda, Deer Lodge

Mission fell on the road to Deer Lodge and lost to Anaconda, while the Arlee Scarlets fell to Eureka.

Polson frosh stands out at Rebecca Farm run

Polson freshman Morgan Delaney announced herself to the Flathead Lake region, placing 12th at the Flathead Invitational on Sept. 1 at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell. Delaney was the second-highest finishing Class A girl at the event, running a 20:06.58.

Chiefs fall to Bigfork

Bigfork moved to 2-0 on the year with a 35-0 home victory over Ronan in Western A action on Friday, Sept. 1.

Polson Golf continues to flourish

Polson golfer Carson Hupka won the Frenchtown Invite on Thursday, Aug. 31, and he was joined by teammates Otto Lunch and Torrin Ellis in second and third.

Pirate comeback falls short against Libby

Polson scored 19 points and nearly completed a comeback but ultimately fell to Western A foe Libby on Friday, Sept. 1, on the road.

Polson and Ronan split with Bitterrroot teams

At home, Polson split its two matchups against Bitterroot teams on Friday, Sept. 1; the same split occurred for Ronan Sept. 2.

Commissioners, Pioneer Days Co. meet about MREC

Members of Pioneer Days Company from Ronan met with Lake County Commissioners Gale Decker and Bill Barron Aug. 28 to discuss the future of the Mission Range Event Complex (MREC).

Mission Valley Calendar

MV Calendar: Your events guide to the Mission Valley

On the Agenda

Upcoming public meetings across Lake County:

Garden for Life gets benches, tables

The Arlee Community Development Corporation has received picnic tables and benches for its “Garden for Life” community garden and plans to install them at 10 a.m. Sept. 8.

Mission Reservoir closed to fishing

The CSKT Natural Resources Department Water Monitoring and Measurement Program recently observed that water levels at Mission Reservoir had dropped to a point that raised safety concerns for the local fish populations and overall fisheries ecosystem. The reservoir is located east of St. Ignatius.

SAFE Harbor welcomes donations for annual auction

SAFE Harbor is seeking donations of art, goods and services for its annual Art Auction and Celebration, slated for Oct. 14 at the Ronan Community Center.

Tribes loosen fire restrictions

In light of recent rain and cooler temperatures, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have cancelled the recent closure of the Flathead River at Perma Bridge and also rescinded Stage 1 fire restrictions, effective Sept. 1.

Fall Mack Days begins Sept. 14

The nine-week Falls Mack Days begins Sept. 14 and ends Nov. 12. These fishing events, held each spring and fall, are used to reduce the numbers of non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake.

Climate Conversation: Take a Drive to Buffalo Bridge

If you drive Irvine Flats Road down to Buffalo Bridge, you can see where wildland firefighters stopped the 20,000-acre Niarada fire earlier this month within half-mile of the Flathead River. They stopped another fire, the 13,000-acre Middle Ridge fire, just south of the bridge. Only a strip of irrigated fields separated the two.

Shirley Sheridan, 89

Shirley Mae Sheridan, 89 of Polson, passed away Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. Graveside services will be held on Sept. 22, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Valley View Cemetery in Shelby, with a reception to follow at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church.

Nate Lundeen: School Resource Officer of the Year

Soft-spoken Lake County deputy Nate Lundeen, who was recently named School Resource Officer of the Year, clearly feels both a sense of responsibility and affection for the kids he interacts with daily at Polson schools.

Anita Big Spring, 65

Anita Carol Big Spring-Funke, of Big Arm, passed away on July 30, 2023. She was born May 30, 1958, in Browning to Darlene and Adam Big Spring.

Jeffrey Paul Wilson, 66

Jeffrey Paul Wilson died Aug. 28 in Kalispell.

Edmond (Ed) Priddy, 88

Edmond (Ed) Glover Priddy, 88, passed away on Aug. 22, 2023, at The Lodge at Buffalo Hills of natural causes with his daughter, Sheila, and niece Barbara by his side.