Legals for May, 22 2025

The Big (true) Beautiful (not so much) Bill

After all the concern about runaway government spending and the hand wringing about the budget deficit why on earth would Congress want to pass a tax bill that cuts taxes for the 400-plus American billionaires, pays for it by penalizing sick and lower income people and STILL increases the deficit by $3 trillion?

Commissioners hold hearing on proposed construction notice

The Lake County Commissioners are holding a public hearing today on a resolution that would require property owners to file a “notice of new construction” with the planning department. The proposed fee is $5 if filed before the project begins, and goes up to $1,000 if filed after construction begins.

BREAKTHROUGH: Governor signs PL 280 bill

“Well, it’s the end of a long journey,” said Lake County Commissioner Gale Decker about newly minted legislation regarding Public Law 280, a law enforcement agreement between Lake County and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies

Stories harvested from the Flathead Courier, May 10, 1984

Kiwanis luncheon honors groups that nurture kids

The mission of Kiwanis is serving children, one child at a time. At last Thursday’s luncheon at KwaTaqNuk Resort and Casino, that mission came to fruition as the group dispensed checks to organizations that help children.

Entwistle pleads guilty to Town Pump knife threat

A Ronan man, accused of threatening another person with a knife, entered a plea of guilty in District Court in Polson May 14 to felony assault with a weapon.

Pablo Skatepark celebrates Grand Opening

The community of Pablo is invited to celebrate the grand opening of the Pablo Skatepark from noon-2:30 p.m. May 24. The event will feature food from Cheers Etcetera, music by DJ Foreshadow and Salish Drum, and skateboarding.

St-Char-Ro: A blooming success at 50

Main Street in Ronan was closed to traffic Saturday as St-Char-Ro celebrated its 50th anniversary with a street fair, inflatable bounce houses, classic cars and even a miniature race track.

Mission Valley Calendar

Upcoming events and meetings in the Mission Valley

Jury finds Ailport guilty of attempted homicide, arson

Paul Ailport, accused of setting his truck on fire and intentionally driving into his neighbor’s home, was convicted by a Lake County jury on felony charges of attempted deliberate homicide with use of weapon, criminal mischief and arson.

Sandpiper Gallery awards four art scholarships

Sandpiper Art Gallery & Gifts recently awarded scholarships ranging from $500 to $3,000 to four Salish Kootenai College students.

MAC Softball punches ticket to State

The Mission-Arlee-Charlo softball team secured its spot at the Class B state tournament with two strong wins and one tough loss at the Western B/C Divisional tournament in Florence, improving its season record to 19-6.

Fur Harvesters hold spring rendezvous in Ronan

Mountain men dressed in furs, buckskins and capotes made from Hudson Bay blankets mingled with their modern-day counterparts, attired in fleeces and jeans, at the Fur Harvesters Spring Rendezvous, May 16-17 in Ronan.

Ronan and Polson athletes qualify for State

Ronan and Polson athletes turned in a string of top-six finishes and personal bests at the Western A Divisional Track and Field Championships, held May 16–17 at the Polson Athletic Complex. Facing fierce competition from powerhouse programs like Columbia Falls, Corvallis, and Whitefish, local athletes earned their way onto the podium and into state contention.

Head-on collision kills young Elmo woman

A collision early Saturday morning near Big Arm resulted in the death of a 22-year-old woman from Elmo.

Polson Police Department honors fallen chief

Members of the Polson Police Department traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to participate in National Police Week 2025, where they honored Polson’s first chief of police, John Emory Hern, who died in the line of duty more than a century ago.

Flathead Bio Station installs second erosion control beach

A second dynamic erosion control beach has been established at Flathead Lake Biological Station on Yellow Bay to help prevent land from being washed away by waves.

Polson Baseball wraps up season

The Polson Pirates wrapped up a successful 2025 baseball season with a series of mixed results at the Sapa-Johnsrud Tournament in Whitefish, finishing with a 14-7 overall record but falling short of a state tournament berth.

Polson music students earn superior ratings at state festival

Several members of the Polson High School Band and Choir received Superior ratings at the State Music Festival, May 2-3 in Great Falls.