The America I love: Good while it lasted

The country that I love is behaving like a spoiled child. There is a new way of doing in American government that replaces trust with fear, understanding with punishment, and reason with revenge.

PL 280 saga winds down with three signatures

Monday marked a quiet end to a long-running saga as the three Lake County commissioners each signed a resolution rescinding three previous attempts to remove the county from the responsibilities enshrined in Public Law 280.

Mission Valley Food Fling: Pizza

Our first installment features a universal favorite: pizza. The first-ever pizza was made generations before the state of Montana even existed and thousands of miles away in Italy. Nonetheless, Mission Valley is home to a unique group of pizza eateries.

Ronan grads told: "No more time for procrastination"

The Ronan High School Band played the processional ushering in the Class of 2025 last Friday evening. The stands of Laverne Parrish Memorial Field were filled with parents, grandparents, relatives and friends, many holding flowers, who came to celebrate the 89 graduates of Ronan High School.

Polson graduation delivers flair & confetti

Graduations are typically rather formal proceedings. Polson’s ceremony, held Saturday morning, boasted some real flair from the class of 2025.

MDT to revamp Third Ave. intersection in Ronan

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Riverside Contracting Inc. will begin work next week to improve the intersection of U.S. Highway 93 with Third Avenue and Old U.S. 93 in Ronan.

Young Polson resident says ducks deserve a hearing

Ducks face discrimination in the City of Polson, and Johnny Lapotka aims to change that.

Filing deadline June 11 for municipal elections

Several seats remain unclaimed with the filing deadline for municipal elections in Polson, Ronan and St. Ignatius next Wednesday. The general election will be held Nov. 4.

No more parking behind Ronan Liquor Store

Janelle Campbell of the Ronan Liquor Store asked the Ronan City Council to abandon or change the wording of the City of Ronan easement behind the store during its meeting last Wednesday.

PEO awards two memorial scholarships

PEO marguerite daisies were in full bloom as they were presented to Polson High School seniors Olivia Jore and Alyssa Orien along with $1,000 Chapter AI Memorial Scholarships on Senior Signing Day.

Tax credits help U.S. keep clean-tech edge

Many countries are investing in clean-tech products like solar panels, batteries, and electric vehicles (EVs). The U.S. has long been a tech leader.

Help and support hallmarks of annual Women 4 Wellness

Women 4 Wellness once again brought healthcare seekers and healthcare providers to the Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center at Salish Kootenai College last Thursday.

Commissioners backpedal on controversial resolution

Lake County Commission Chair Gale Decker seemed a little wary as he stepped to the microphone for last Thursday’s public hearing. The topic, a resolution to impose a Notice of New Construction for any property improvements in Lake County, had already drawn ample ire on social media, and the commissioners were apt to attract more of the same from the crowd of at least 75 people filling the courthouse conference room, and another 20 or so tuning in via Zoom.

Abigail Sorrell moves from the mat to the mortarboard

As for her relationship to Polson High School, it’s pretty unique, considering she’s a fifth-generation graduate of the school, a list that includes her grandfather Frank who graduated in 1972.

Two Eagle River grads take first walk of season

The Chief Cliff Singers sang and drummed the 2025 Two Eagle River High graduates into the packed gym Sunday for the first graduation of the season.

Ronan Charter Academy to open this fall

Josh Illig, the new director of the Ronan Charter Academy understands that some learning environments might be challenging for certain students. He believes the new academy, which opens this fall, could “provide a more flexible learning environment to meet the needs of more students.”

Legals for May, 29 2025

James "Jim" Thomas Collins, 82

On the evening of April 25, 2025, James “Jim” Thomas Collins ascended from this earthly realm, carried on the mighty wings of an eagle, departing from Silver Springs Assisted Living Facility in Townsend, Mont. Jim’s final resting place will be the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison, with interment June 6, 2025. A memorial service is planned for June 7, at 1 p.m. at Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home in Townsend, followed by a small reception at the Mint Cafe/Bar.

Suspect in Christmas Day shooting pleads not guilty

Elijah Cajune, accused of shooting and killing a Polson man early Christmas morning in 2024, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson May 21 to deliberate homicide. Cajune, 18, was afforded the opportunity to have his case transferred to youth court because he was 17 at the time of the alleged murder, but he waived the hearing.

Bills offer real relief on residential property taxes

Did you know that California residents now own $9.5 billion of residential property in Montana? They enjoy the ability to vacation here without paying a dime in Montana income tax.