Poker Paddle benefits lake education

Playing the hand they were dealt, more than 80 adventurous canoeists, kayakers, stand-up paddleboarders and swimmers endured light winds and choppy waves to try their luck at a hand of poker and raise money for a good cause Saturday morning.

Rinke wins rifle raffle

RONAN — Some guys have all the luck.

Legals for December, 26 2024

MAC softball dominates Deer Lodge in shutout win

Mission-Arlee-Charlo softball continued its dominant start to the 2025 season with a 15-0 shutout victory over Deer Lodge on Tuesday, March 25, at home.

Ronan softball punches ticket to divisionals

Polson tennis coach Bob Hislop has transitioned his mindset into getting his kids prepared for the the Class-A Divisionals that will be held Tuesday and Wednesday.

Local ranchers feted at annual ag banquet

St. Ignatius farmers Dennis and Melvina Krantz were honored for their contributions to agriculture in the Mission Valley at the 45th annual Ag Appreciation Banquet, held March 28 at the community center in Ronan.

Project 2025 maps authoritarian takeover

Paper maps are passe. Or are they? The Heritage Foundation, under head Kevin Roberts, produced a 920-page road map outlining a radical agenda for Christian nationalism.

Kolton Turner still leads Mack Days totals with 1,468

Kolton Turner of Kalispell remains ahead in Spring Mack Days, with 14 days of catching 100 fish. He leads the Top Twenty category with a total of 1,468.

Pinewood Derby mixes fun and sportsmanship

It’s late Sunday afternoon and the basement of the First Lutheran Church in Ronan is packed and buzzing with anticipation. With chairs pointed toward the track, it’s clear what the excitement is all about: it’s time for the Pinewood Derby.

Polson tennis teams collect key wins

The Polson tennis teams continued their strong 2025 campaign with a series of dominant performances last week, highlighted by a sweep over Stevensville and a pair of statement wins over Bigfork.

“Among the best”: Ronan Chiefs claim fourth at State

The Ronan Chiefs capped off a trophy year at the 2025 State A Boys Basketball Tournament with a fourth-place finish, battling through the grueling three-day event at MetraPark’s First Interstate Arena and Lockwood High School Gym from March 13-15.

handMADE Montana strengthens arts ecosystem

As 2025 approaches, the Polson-based HandMADE Montana celebrated a banner year of supporting local and regional artists, fostering community engagement, and making a meaningful impact through its events, retail store, and online platform.

Holiday Treasures a hit

$4,500 of items given away in season's first drawing

RONAN - Frigid weather conditions couldn’t deter a crowd from assembling in the middle of Main Street on Saturday in Ronan, as dozens of people turned out to try their luck at this year’s “Holiday Treasures” drawing, sponsored by the Ronan Chamber of Commerce.

Anglers brave rough water during week two of Mack Days

With the second week of 2025 Spring Mack Days in the rearview mirror, anglers still have seven more weekends to enter before the final day on May 10.

Ronan places third at Western Boys Invite

Ronan placed third as a team at the Western Boys Invitational on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 3-4, in the Chiefs’ home gym. Ronan had two champions, and two others placed second.

Irwin Donald Bangen, 92

Erwin Donald Bangen, 92, of Hot Springs, walked into Heaven on Christmas Day 2024, surrounded by family, pure as the driven snow. The service will be held on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the Lonepine Hall (52 Lonepine Road, Lonepine) with graveside Military Funeral Honors following at the Lonepine Cemetery. Following the services, a dinner and a “short snort” will be provided by the family at the hall.

Polson Chamber honors community champions

Women wore flamboyant hats and frisky dresses, while men took their best stab at Kentucky Derby apparel in the Polson Chamber of Commerce’s annual community banquet, held Feb. 21 at KwaTaqNuk Resort. The chamber celebrated the outstanding contributions of local businesses, volunteers and leaders while embracing a Kentucky Derby theme to recognize those “who go the extra mile for Polson.”

A-N-O-M-A-L-Y: Winners flummoxed by spelling bee outcome

The lone participant in last Thursday’s Lake County Spelling Bee who was not eligible for the state contest was also the only speller with a perfect record: Heidi Huber of Bigfork.

Biz Briefs

The Polson Chamber of Commerce begins 2025 with a series of updates and initiatives designed to strengthen local business community by providing greater opportunities for growth, networking, and education to members and residents. Organizers of Flathead Cherry Festival encourage artists, makers, and craftspeople to apply for the event, held July 26-27 in downtown Polson.

Tribes break ground on new 400 Horses Casino

Last Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new 400 Horses Casino on the outskirts of Polson opened to the steady pulse of two drums, Yamncut and Chief Cliff, as Gene Sorrell – attired in an eagle-feather headdress – blessed the drummers and the celebration.