River Honoring celebrates elders, educators

With the Flathead River flowing behind him, Elder Johnny Arlee opened the 38th annual River Honoring on Monday night with a prayer in Salish and some special words for the gathering. This year’s River Honorees are elders Violet Trahan and Germaine White and educators Nicole Camel, Polson, and Jennifer Jilot and Bill Stockton, Arlee.

Election results posted for schools, library and fire districts

Across Lake County last week, a smattering of mail ballots – 3,665 in all – were cast for school board, library and fire district trustees, as well as in three school levies.

Ag Days brings kids to the Cheff ranch

Sun shining through trees dappled the grass and washed over the bright spring grass as school buses trundled down the road to Fourth Grade Ag Days at Buddy and Brittany Cheff’s place above Kicking Horse Reservoir, south of Ronan.

Legals for May, 15 2025

Snowpack drops as stream flows increase

April ushered in the transition from winter to spring in the Montana snowpack accumulation season.

Samantha Rensvold: A team player

This time of year, you’ll find Samantha Rensvold with the ball in her hands in the middle of the pitching circle – a position with unquestionable spotlight and responsibility.

Volunteers plant 33 ponderosa pines at Finley Point park

On Earth Day 2025, Encompass LLC sponsored a tree restoration project at the Finley Point Unit of Flathead Lake State Park in partnership with Montana State Parks, AmeriCorps and the Montana State Parks Foundation.

Mission Valley Calendar

Upcoming events and meetings in the Mission Valley

Legals for May, 14 2025

Second suspect arrested in death of Ed Loder

A second suspect in the death of Edwin Loder, 67, is in custody at the Lake County Jail. Jonathan Michael Drennan-Beck, 30, of St. Ignatius, was arrested May 6 and booked into the jail on felony charges of conspiracy (deliberate homicide) and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.

Brett McCrumb, 61

Brett Thomas McCrumb of Polson arrived in his final Home with Jesus on May 7, 2025. He dealt with a cancer diagnosis over a year ago with courage. He tried treatments and health regimes that would help, but he always relied on the attitude and truth of “I know where I’m going.” His Celebration of Life is Monday, May 19, 2025, at 11 a.m. at his parents’ place, The Barn at Finley Point, with a cemetery burial to follow.

Bruce Newby, 69

Bruce Edward Newby of Pablo went home to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on May 6, 2025. His graveside-only service is Friday, May 16, at Lone Pine Cemetery next door to the Little Brown Church at the corner of MT Hwy. 35 and Swan Hwy. in Bigfork, Montana. Bruce’s funeral procession will depart from the 4B’s parking lot in Polson at 10:20 a.m. May 16.

Mission Valley Calendar

Upcoming events and meetings in the Mission Valley

Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies

Stories harvested from the Flathead Courrier, May 11, 1989

Polson Baseball bounces back with dominant weekend

After dropping a close contest to Bigfork to start the week, the Polson baseball team responded with authority, posting back-to-back run-rule wins over Ronan and Troy to improve to 9-4 on the season.

St. Ignatius Seniors: Farmers markets opening this month

Farmer’s Markets will be open this month. Take advantage of the fresh fruits, vegetables, and other items they will offer

The best use of political power

In 2008, during my last year in the Montana Legislature, a woman came to me with a problem. I made a phone call to a government agency and got it fixed, then I called her to tell her the good news. “Boy,” she said, “I wish I had that kind of power!” “You do!” said I, “I just used it for you.”’

Community action can make a difference

The events surrounding Beker Rengifo Del Castillo, the 33-year-old Venezuelan man living in Whitefish and taken into ICE custody on April 24 before being released, speak to the efficacy of community organizing right here in northwest Montana.

Richard "Dick" Wiese, 85

Richard “Dick” Wiese, 85, passed away March 17, 2025, surrounded by family. The funeral mass will be June 14 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Fargo, N.D. Dick will be laid to rest next to his wife, LaVonne, at Lakeview Cemetery in Polson and a celebration of life will be held at the Elks Lodge in Polson at a later date.

Mission man receives deferred sentence for threatening school

The imposition of sentencing was deferred for three years in District Court in Polson April 30 for a man accused of making threats to St. Ignatius Elementary School.