Pioneer Days heads to the beach

The theme for this year’s Ronan Pioneer Days, Aug. 1-3, is “Beach Party” in honor of a new addition to the menu, the City Slicker Summer Splash presented by Dew Crew Inflatables from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday at the fairgrounds.

Ronan man accused of car theft

A Ronan man is accused of felony theft for stealing a car while the vehicle’s owner was dropping off children near the Ronan Library. Leonard Grenier Jr., 40, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson July 23.

Mission Valley Mariners wrap up season

The Mission Valley Mariners closed out their 2024 American Legion baseball season at the Class A District Tournament in Whitefish, falling to Cranbrook and Missoula to finish with a 25-23 overall record.

Darlene Houlihan

Darlene Claire “Dar” Houlihan (maiden name Riley), age 90, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2025, at her daughter’s home in Polson.

Library bans blind man, citing harassment

The world doesn’t look the same to Michael Ross as it does to most of us. He can’t read these words printed on a page, or discern doorways or stop signs or people’s expressions.

Art, crafts and sweet treats abound at Flathead Cherry Festival

The sweet dark red cherries the region is famous for ripened early so there were a multitude for visitors to buy during last weekend’s Flathead Cherry Festival in Polson.

Legals for July, 31 2025

Mission Valley Events Roundup

Your events guide to the Mission Valley

Legals for July, 24 2025

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.

Mission Valley Events Roundup

Your guide to Mission Valley events

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.

Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies

Stories harvested from the Flathead Courier, July 23, 1959

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.

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.

Geotechnical work on 93 complete, for now

Initial geotechnical work on Highway 93 between Brooke Lane and just south of Eagle Pass Trail was completed recently – another step toward two major highway reconstruction projects.

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.

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.

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.

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.