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.

Sentence deferred for sexual abuse

A man from Salem, Ore., who admitted to inappropriate contact with a minor, was sentenced on the related charge of sexual abuse of children in District Court in Polson May 29. The imposition of sentencing for Tyler Davis Booze, 30, was deferred for six years, in accordance with a plea agreement reached March 26.

Excitement abounds at youth football camp

Last Tuesday through Thursday, the Pirate football field right next to the high school was jam-packed with boys and girls from kindergarten all the way up to grade seven, excited to take on drills and play games.

Mission Valley Legion opens season with strong showings

The Mission Valley Mariners kicked off their American Legion baseball season with six games in six days, rebounding from an opening loss to secure four wins and show early promise heading into the summer schedule.

Charlo Class of '25: Small but mighty

Fourteen seniors collected their diplomas in the Charlo gym Sunday – perhaps the smallest graduating class in Lake County. Small but mighty, according to commencement speaker and social studies teacher Mike Mercer, who described them as “the most fun, interesting, thought-provoking group of young adults I've ever been around.”

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.

Softball standouts earn All-State and All-Conference honors

Several Polson and Ronan softball players earned postseason honors following standout performances during the 2025 Montana Class A season.

Polson Seniors: Board of Directors searching for candidates

Our Board of Directors is searching for candidates to serve the membership of Polson Senior Center. We need you. We need your support in a leadership position. Terms begin end of July.

Harlon Leishman does high school in high style

If you haven't heard of Leishman, he’s hard to miss on the track because he’s typically near the front of the pack – which included a sixth place finish at the state track meet this year in the 3200 – and the rather unique style that he has become famous for.

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.

Mission Valley Calendar

Upcoming events and meetings in the Mission Valley

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 1973.

Legals for June, 4 2025

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.

Harvey Kenitzer, 80

Harvey John Kenitzer, a longtime resident of Polson, passed away peacefully at home on May 21, 2025, at the age of 80. A memorial service will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Thursday, June 5, at 11 a.m.

Koldeway sentenced for felony sexual assault

A Polson man accused of assaulting a minor was sentenced May 21 in District Court in Polson to 10 years with the Montana Department of Corrections, with all but six months jail time suspended.