Elizabeth Preston, 99

Elizabeth Hildreth Cummings Preston, 99, died from natural causes on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at St. Luke Extended Care Facility in Ronan, with her family by her side. A memorial service celebrating Beth’s life will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, at the Mission Valley United Methodist Church on Highway 93, just south of Ninepipe Lodge.

Paddling into the wind: Flathead Lakers face funding cuts

White caps were beginning to take shape on Flathead Lake Saturday morning as participants in the Flathead Lakers annual Poker Paddle returned to Boettcher Park.

Richard Orton, 75

Richard Clarence Orton passed from this life on May 15, with his daughter, Cynthia Dragon Fly, by his side at St Joseph’s Hospital in Polson. There will be a memorial in his honor at 2 p.m. July 26 at Leon Hall (near Post Creek/St Ignatius). He wanted this to be a time of music, food, laughter and sharing.

Flathead families deserve real tax relief

As conservative legislators from the Flathead, we went to Helena to fight for real property tax relief – relief that’s fair, easy to understand. After all, your state government started this last legislative session with a yearly structural surplus balance of over half a billion dollars.

Polson man receives suspended sentence for weapons assault

Eric Walter Baszler, 42, who was convicted of assault with a weapon after a day-long trial in May, was sentenced in District Court July 16 to the Montana Department of Corrections for 10 years, with all that time suspended.

Artists sell creations at annual festival

“Kids are easy to take care of. You just give them some concentrated coffee and some water,” says Bitterroot Valley artist Daryld Pepprock as he helps his granddaughters and a friend with their paintings.

Live History Days ups museum's ante

Pickups, SUVs and cars lined Memory Lane in front of the Miracle of America Museum last weekend for Live History Days. The Polson museum is a four-acre treasure chest of American history. Visitors can’t begin to see all the exhibits in just one visit. And the annual Live History Days ups the ante.

Woman sentenced for fatal crash on Polson bridge

A Kalispell woman, who admitted to causing a fatal head-on crash on the Polson bridge, was committed in District Court in Polson July 17 to the Montana Department of Corrections for 10 years with seven years suspended.

Polson Seniors: Heavy traffic slows food deliveries

Heavy traffic is delaying food delivery by up to 20 minutes. Be patient. We are doing what we can to deliver meals in a timely fashion, as always.

Polson man faces three felony charges

Jonathan Paul Korman, 34, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson July 17 to felony charges of criminal endangerment, two counts of assault with a weapon, and misdemeanor assault with a bodily fluid.

Man accused of building illegal road in Woods Bay

A Swan Lake man is accused of building a road on his neighbor’s property along MT Highway 35 near Woods Bay. Michael Kevin Martin, 61, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson July 16 to felony criminal mischief and misdemeanor trespassing.

Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies

Stories harvested from the Flathead Courier, July 23, 1959

Weather poses challenges for cherry growers

The dark red sweet cherries the Flathead is famous for have made their appearance. About a week and a half ago, cherry stands in Polson and along the east shore of Flathead Lake began selling local cherries.

Dana sentenced for indecent exposure, injuring officer

A Polson man, who admitted to exposing himself, injuring an officer and leading law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit, received a 10-year prison sentence in District Court in Polson July 17, plus 10 years suspended.

Paddlers propel dragon boats on Flathead River

Red balloon-shaped markers on the Flathead River laid out the start and finish lines for Montana Dragon Boat Races and Festival, which were held Saturday and Sunday, July 19 and 20 at the Polson Fairgrounds. Three dragon boats, painted bright yellow, green and red (one with eyelashes) were the stars of the show.

Missing rower was part of round-the-world team

As of Tuesday, Lake County Sheriff’s Department and Search and Rescue were continuing to search for James "Dingo” Dominguez, 58, of Cheyenne, Wyo., whose non-motorized boat capsized July 15 on the turbulent waters of Flathead Lake.

Meters used to monitor and charge for commercial water use

Polson’s water ordinance, effective June 10 to Sept. 30 each year, restricts watering to every other day with three hours maximum. It’s aimed at optimizing water usage and minimizing waste. Some residents, however, have expressed concern about tanker trucks pulling up to city fire hydrants and filling their massive tanks with water several times a day.

Polson Police officers honored with Distinguished Service Medals

At Monday’s Polson City Commission meeting, Police Chief George Simpson presented the Distinguished Service Medal to five members of the Polson Police Department in recognition of their extraordinary bravery, restraint, and professionalism during two high-risk operations last year.

Players continue 50th season with "Always ... Patsy Cline"

The Port Polson Players, in association with Mission Valley Friends of the Arts, continues their 50th season with the musical masterpiece "Always ... Patsy Cline," which opens Friday, July 25, at the Theatre on the Lake.

Legals for July, 24 2025