Spring Mack Days shaping up as a record-breaker

Fish on! Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake is on course for a new record of lake trout entries.

Packing, Camping

Mules Lucy, Sadie, and Suzy, and Charlie, a horse, were all tied to the fence at Hobbyhorse Place, north of Polson, waiting for something to do on Saturday morning. That “something” was about twenty youth coming to a mule packing, camping, back country event put on by the Mission Valley Back Country Horsemen.

Kolton Turner still leads Mack Days totals with 1,468

Kolton Turner of Kalispell remains ahead in Spring Mack Days, with 14 days of catching 100 fish. He leads the Top Twenty category with a total of 1,468.

Rocky Point residents worry about traffic impact of casino

More than 15 people interested in traffic on Hwy. 93 near Irvine Flats Road and Rocky Point Road attended a meeting at the Lake County Courthouse last Monday with Bob Vosen from the Montana Department of Transportation.

Raymond "Ray" Bick, 86

Raymond “Ray” Paul Bick, 86, died of natural causes on April 9, 2025, at his home in Cherry Creek, Nev. He was born Aug. 4, 1938, in Ronan, the eighth of nine children born to Clarence and Evelyn Bick of Round Butte, west of Ronan. Services will be held April 19, at 10 a.m. at The Lake Funeral Home, 101 6th Ave. E. in Polson, followed by graveside military services at Mountain View Cemetery, 46727 N. Foothills Dr., Ronan.

Softball fields conundrum headed for a solution

Ronan Pablo Youth Softball League and Mission Valley Thunder officers and parents crowded Ronan City Hall, and softball was the main topic at the Ronan City Council meeting on April 23. At issue were the Ronan Softball Fields and a draft agreement for management of the fields.

John Freemole, 74

Our valiant warrior, John Peter Freemole, peacefully completed his earthly journey on April 8, 2025, at his home in Polson with loved ones nearby to support him. Services will be at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson on April 23, at 2 p.m.

The best use of political power

In 2008, during my last year in the Montana Legislature, a woman came to me with a problem. I made a phone call to a government agency and got it fixed, then I called her to tell her the good news. “Boy,” she said, “I wish I had that kind of power!” “You do!” said I, “I just used it for you.”’

Incumbent and former parole officer file for Polson judge seat

The Polson City Commission met Monday night with attorney Jordan Crosby, who was hired during the previous meeting to help guide the process of appointing a city judge.

Chiefs top Stevensville behind early scoring surge

The Ronan Chiefs used a steady offensive attack and a strong outing from starting pitcher Hunter Luedtke to take down Stevensville 11-6 on Friday afternoon, improving to 4-3 on the season.

Community action can make a difference

The events surrounding Beker Rengifo Del Castillo, the 33-year-old Venezuelan man living in Whitefish and taken into ICE custody on April 24 before being released, speak to the efficacy of community organizing right here in northwest Montana.

Pirates push win streak to three

The Polson Pirates extended their winning streak to three games this week with a pair of impressive performances, taking down Florence-Carlton 8-2 on Thursday and following it up with a 10-4 road win over Corvallis on Friday.

Tribes break ground on new 400 Horses Casino

Last Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new 400 Horses Casino on the outskirts of Polson opened to the steady pulse of two drums, Yamncut and Chief Cliff, as Gene Sorrell – attired in an eagle-feather headdress – blessed the drummers and the celebration.

Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies

Stories harvested from the Flathead Courrier, May 11, 1989

Richard "Dick" Wiese, 85

Richard “Dick” Wiese, 85, passed away March 17, 2025, surrounded by family. The funeral mass will be June 14 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Fargo, N.D. Dick will be laid to rest next to his wife, LaVonne, at Lakeview Cemetery in Polson and a celebration of life will be held at the Elks Lodge in Polson at a later date.

Message to "Get-a-Job"

On Saturday, April 26, I participated in a ‘We the People Rally’ at the intersection of Highway 35 and 93 in Polson. There were about 45 of us with signs and drummers.

Legals for April, 17 2025

Robert Silver Hanson Jr., 84

Robert Silver Hanson Jr., 84 of Polson, passed away peacefully April 9, 2025, in Kalispell, surrounded by his family. A funeral service will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson at noon Monday, April 21.

Hall released, then arrested again

Dalton Daniel Hall, 26, pled guilty to felony strangulation of a partner or family member during an earlier court appearance.

Justus (sic) is being served

At 1 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, the United States Supreme Court issued an extraordinary emergency order barring the federal government from removing people detained under the Federal Enemies Act to El Salvador pending further rulings from the Court.