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.

Legals for July, 3 2025

Lake County Conservation District awards $1,000 Scholarship

The Lake County Conservation District selected Hot Springs High School senior Nick McAllister as the recipient of its annual scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior demonstrating a strong interest in conservation, natural resources, or agriculture.

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 July, 2 2025

Electing a "Cleanser-in-Chief": A betrayal of voters and values

I attended the recent Montana GOP Convention in Helena, representing the Teton County Republican Central Committee, never expecting to witness a blatant power grab.

Ronan man sentenced for Town Pump altercation

A Ronan man, Joseph Channing Entwistle, was committed in District Court in Polson June 25 to the Montana Department of Corrections for five years, with none of that time suspended.

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.

Thirteen homes evacuated in Early Dawn fire

Local firefighters were busy again this weekend, containing the Early Dawn Fire near Big Arm. The blaze started last Friday, June 27, and was ignited by fireworks according to Polson Rural fire chief Will Woodger. He said 13 homes were immediately evacuated.

Couple accusing of abusing family member

A Ronan couple is accused of abusing a family member. Eddie Robert Cowen, 41, and Donna Rochelle Vincent Cowen, 65, recently appeared in District Court in Polson separately for arraignment hearings.

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.

Teens rescue Big Arm woman trapped beneath mower

By Monday, Kyle Geyer looked pretty chipper. Especially for a woman who had spent four hours last Friday pinned beneath her riding lawnmower. She’s also exceedingly grateful to the two boys who saved her life, Danny Fehr and Channing Thompson who were visiting from Billings.

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.

Summer Reading Program promotes learning

Boats are out on the lake, people are walking around, and the traffic is getting a bit denser. These are all the tell-tale signs of summer in the Mission Valley. Another sign of summer can be found away from the heat of July and indoors at libraries, where both Polson and Ronan are running their annual summer reading programs.

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.

Wisconsin man awaiting extradition after Lake County arrest

The Lake County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant June 25 upon the Polson residence of 71-year-old Kenneth Galewyrick, and arrested him for an outstanding warrant from the State of Wisconsin.

Fourth festivities flourish from Arlee to Polson

Lake County communities are gearing up for Fourth festivities, which promise parades and fireworks from Arlee to Polson.