Legals for June, 26 2025

Firefighters respond to house fire and bale blaze

Polson Rural Fire District responded to two fires last week. The first, on June 19, was near Buffalo Bridge where firefighters found 110 round bales fully engulfed in flames. The second was Friday when a three-story house on Dogwood Lane north of Polson was reportedly struck by fire.

Ronan man sentenced to 50 years for sexual abuse

A Ronan man, accused of misrepresenting himself on social media to obtain explicit images of underage girls, was sentenced in District Court in Polson June 18 to 50 years with the Montana State Prison.

Legals for June, 25 2025

Legals for July, 2 2025

City employee charged with heisting coins from water-filling station

A Ronan man is accused of stealing coins from the City of Ronan’s coin-operated water filling station. Christopher Alan Atkinson, 46, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson June 18 to felony theft.

Lake County takes steps to bring home its garbage

After 25 years of shipping household waste to Missoula, Lake County is bringing home its garbage.

United We Stand is theme of Charlo parade

The Marine Honor Guard will lead the United We Stand-themed parade through Charlo at noon July 4. Long-time business and community members Sandy and Curt Coulter are the honored grand marshals. The couple recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

What’s the point of being a U.S. Senator if you don’t have guts?

More than half a century ago, when I was a young, enlisted man stationed at the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C., I contacted former Montana Senator Burton K. Wheeler. I introduced myself and asked him if I could have a visit with him.

Big Beautiful Deficit-Raising Bill plunders our natural resources

Senator Harriet Hageman (R-Wyoming) wrote a column last week asking readers to view the controversial bill that includes selling off federal public lands for housing development. I read through the text of this bill, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee legislative text, and it’s even worse than depicted.

Port Polson Players celebrate 50th summer season

What sounds like the opening scene of a musical led to Karen and Neal Lewing’s real-life marriage a few months later, and the enduring partnership that’s at the heart of the Port Polson Players – now celebrating 50 seasons of summer theatre.

Michael Munson takes helm at Salish Kootenai College

Dr. Michael M. Munson returned to Salish Kootenai College this month to serve as the institution’s next president, following an extensive national search and approval by the SKC Board of Directors.

Infrastructure funds help city complete park projects

A pirate-ship themed playground has dropped anchor at Boettcher Park in Polson, giving kids a place to climb, swing and slide when they aren’t skipping rocks or splashing in Flathead Lake.

Governor visits Rocky Mountain Twist on 56 County Tour

Traveling to Lake County on his fifth annual 56 County Tour, Gov. Greg Gianforte visited Rocky Mountain Twist in Ronan last Wednesday, June 18.

Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies

Stories harvested from the Flathead Courier, June 24, 1954

Mission Valley Events Roundup

Your guide to events in the Mission Valley

Diane Cline-Johnson, 68

Diane Ruth Cline-Johnson, age 68, of Polson, died Sunday, June 22, at her home in Turtle Lake surrounded by family. A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, June 26, and funeral service is at 10 a.m. Friday, June 27, all at The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory in Polson. Burial will take place after the service at Lakeview Cemetery followed by a reception at the First Presbyterian Church.

John Melvin McClure Jr., 87

John Melvin McClure Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather and community member, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 13, 2025. A memorial service is planned at Canvas Church, 255 Summit Ridge Dr., Kalispell on July 11 at 1 p.m.

Centennial birthday doesn't slow Shirley McConnell down

Shirley McConnell’s birthday was May 7, and since she was turning 100, her family began “planning a big to-do,” she said.

Polson’s Independence Day celebration shines

This year’s Fourth of July celebration begins with the highly anticipated fireworks show over Flathead Lake on July 3, followed by a new kids' parade and the community parade July 4.