BERL TISKUS
Reporter Berl Tiskus joined the Lake County Leader team in early March, and covers Ronan City Council, schools, ag and business. Berl grew up on a ranch in Wyoming and earned a degree in English education from MSU-Billings and a degree in elementary education from the University of Montana. Since moving to Polson three decades ago, she’s worked as a substitute teacher, a reporter for the Valley Journal and a secretary for Lake County Extension. Contact her at btiskus@leaderadvertiser.com or 406-883-4343.
Recent Stories
Mission Valley Choral Society welcomes spring
Sunlight was pouring into the St. Ignatius Mission Catholic Church, painting bright colors through the stained glass windows as the Mission Valley Choral Society began their first weekend concert on Saturday.
School board ballots in the mail
Ballots for school board elections across Lake County were mailed to voters April 22 and must be returned to the Lake County Election Office in the Lake County Courthouse by 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 7. The U.S. Post Office recommends mailing ballots by April 30 – at least a week before Election Day – so they’ll arrive at the courthouse by May 7.
Polson School Board: Four vie for three seats
The Polson School District has three trustee seats open in the elementary district. Since incumbent Steven "Shane" Orien is running unopposed in the high school district, that election was cancelled and he will be elected by acclamation.
Boots were scootin’ at the Cowboy Ball
Lake County Commissioner Bill Barron called the Cowboy Ball the first party of the summer season, and this year’s party was well-attended with more than 600 people sporting boots, jeans, hats, and, for the ladies, big turquoise, stepping into the huge, heated tent at the fairgrounds.
Charlo School Board: Five vie for openings
Five candidates have filed for the two three-year trustee positions open in Charlo School District 7J, according to District Clerk Sara Vaughan. Incumbent Jodie Buxbaum, Kristin Marcure Bauer, Tina Firestone, Matt Hout and Branden Jenson have filed for the seats.
St. Ignatius School Board: Six candidates on ballot
In School District 28, six candidates are competing for two three-year terms. The ballot includes incumbent Jeff Evans, Rochelle Groom, Tim Marchant, Peter Matt, Darren Orr and Rhianna Rhukala.
MREC flip-flop: County makes counter-offer
Meetings between the Lake County Commissioners and the Ronan Pioneer Days Committee concerning the Mission Recreation Event Center property in Ronan are not unusual.
Progress continues on Ronan water project
The Ronan City Council meeting on April 10 was so short and sweet it should have been on Valentine’s Day.
Building Jake’s Farm: Janssen family creates a legacy for their son
Mark your calendar for a three-day building blitz Aug. 8-10, when the community will come together to build Jake’s Farm in the Dell in Ronan. Poignantly, groundbreaking for Jake’s Farm in the Dell will come more than a year after Jake Janssen passed away April 5, 2023, at age 28. Jake, an autistic man, is Rich and Julie Janssen’s son and Jenna Janssen’s brother. Jake is the reason Jake’s Farm in the Dell will become a reality.
Spay and neuter clinic helps animals and their humans
The Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center was awash with dogs, cats and their people last weekend. The Arlee Rehabilitation Center teamed up with Spay Montana, which brought three veterinary teams and staff to Salish Kootenai College for the annual Spay and Neuter Clinic. Organizers of the free clinic expected to complete 200 procedures during the two-day event.