Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies
Flathead Courier, April 22, 1971
Series of Earthquakes Continues
A series of minor but sharp, noisy earthquakes continued to rattle through the lower Flathead Lake area during the past week. Only damage reported was on Sunday morning when the 7:54 a.m. temblor knocked a couple jars of mincemeat and some coffee cans from the shelf in the Safeway store.
Other sharp jolts were noted about 10:47 p.m. and 11:02 p.m., Monday; 3:20 a.m. and 12:58 p.m. on Tuesday.
The temblors apparently are localized with main shaking coming in the Polson vicinity. Lake Ronan, Dayton and Proctor areas – subjected to a long series of light quakes in 1969 and 1970 – apparently escape most of the motion in the current series.
Several of the temblors have been felt as far west as Kerr Dam and Irvine Flats and as far south as Pablo. Sunday's quake was felt in Ronan.
Polson residents on Wednesday morning got off to a shaky start as at least five quakes were felt within a 50-minute period starting shortly after 6 a.m.
Racers Plan for Coming Season
The Mission Valley Auto Racers met April 19 at the Pablo Fire Hall. Various reports were given, including the moving of the lighting to the west side of the tracks along with the concession and announcers' stand. Ample bleachers have already been built. It was voted to have a deputy at the track and near to the concession stand at each race.
Chuck Platt from Ready-Mix said that clay will be hauled this Sunday starting at 10 a.m. He will also have a grader there at the same time. All members and future members of the club are also asked to come out to the Mission Valley Speedway at 10 a.m. Sunday. Wieners and hamburgers will be served by the club.
There will also be work parties each night next week and until the track is in shape for the first race, Saturday, May 8.
Members and future members, if in doubt of what to take out to assist in the work party, can call Duane Olsen, 883-2134 or Bill Jones, 883-5638. It was also pointed out that each driver, pit man, or anyone intending to be in the pits must attend at least one meeting prior to racing and at the same time obtain a membership.
Memberships will not be sold in the pits, and pit insurance will not be sold to anyone not having and showing a membership card.
Morigeau Sets Record; PHS Takes Fourth at Missoula
A record-breaking performance in the shotput by Bob Morigeau highlighted the Polson Pirate track team's first meet of the season. Morigeau put the 12-pound shot 55' 7¾" to smash his old meet mark of 51' 3¼" set last year.
The Polson team placed fourth in total points in the Harry Adams Relays behind three Class AA teams. Winning the meet was Missoula Sentinel followed by Missoula Hellgate, Kalispell, Polson, Anaconda, Loyola and Hamilton.
Another first for the Pirates was a 12' 3" effort by Steve Vert in the pole vault. Ken Campbell also had a big day, by placing second in the long jump, fourth in the low hurdles, and a fifth in the high hurdles. Monty Marengo tied for fifth in the low hurdles. Morigeau placed second in the discus.
Five Pirate relay teams also placed in the meet. The team of Vert, Gary McCarty, Brian Sanford and Mike LeBrun placed third in the sprint medley, capturing a fifth in the distance medley were Randy Sanford, Randy Ingraham, John McCullough and Pat LeBrun.
The mile relay team of LeBrun, Chris Stark, Doug and Monty Marengo placed fourth. The 880 relay team of Walt Fouty, B. Sanford and Bill Broyles also took fourth.
This weekend the track team will travel to Kalispell for the Flathead Invitational. There will be freshmen and varsity competition starting at 10 a.m. with the finals at 2 p.m.