Help and support hallmarks of annual Women 4 Wellness
Women 4 Wellness once again brought healthcare seekers and healthcare providers to the Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center at Salish Kootenai College last Thursday.
Two Eagle River grads take first walk of season
The Chief Cliff Singers sang and drummed the 2025 Two Eagle River High graduates into the packed gym Sunday for the first graduation of the season.
Fur Harvesters hold spring rendezvous in Ronan
Mountain men dressed in furs, buckskins and capotes made from Hudson Bay blankets mingled with their modern-day counterparts, attired in fleeces and jeans, at the Fur Harvesters Spring Rendezvous, May 16-17 in Ronan.
Kiwanis luncheon honors groups that nurture kids
The mission of Kiwanis is serving children, one child at a time. At last Thursday’s luncheon at KwaTaqNuk Resort and Casino, that mission came to fruition as the group dispensed checks to organizations that help children.
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.
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.
Two Eagle students showcase talent at Art Slam
Emcee Tilden Sankadore held up his cell phone flashlight and started swaying to the song one of the Two Eagle River students was singing and the audience joined him. Singing was one of the many talents on display last Wednesday at Two Eagle River School’s 23rd annual Art Slam.
Big rig island opens at Mountain West Cenex
CHS Mountain West Co-op in Ronan opened a new facility that’s specifically for 18 wheelers two weeks ago. The new five-pump station is located just south of the current Cenex building.
Cowboy Ball’s big tent brings big fun to Polson
Sunshine and blue skies welcomed guests to the 33rd Annual Cowboy Ball at the Polson Fairgrounds on April 25. Evening dress was boots, hats, and lots of turquoise.
Packing, Camping
Mules Lucy, Sadie, and Suzy, and Charlie, a horse, were all tied to the fence at Hobbyhorse Place, north of Polson, waiting for something to do on Saturday morning. That “something” was about twenty youth coming to a mule packing, camping, back country event put on by the Mission Valley Back Country Horsemen.
Softball fields conundrum headed for a solution
Ronan Pablo Youth Softball League and Mission Valley Thunder officers and parents crowded Ronan City Hall, and softball was the main topic at the Ronan City Council meeting on April 23. At issue were the Ronan Softball Fields and a draft agreement for management of the fields.
Push Play Project aims to build, enhance playgrounds
The Push Play Project of the Flathead Reservation Lake County is “on a mission to create safe, accessible spaces that promote physical activity and family engagement, all to improve long-term health in our communities."
Super Oval hosts super egg hunt
Waving, the Easter bunny took a victory lap around the Mission Valley Super Oval at noon Saturday.
Rocky Point residents worry about traffic impact of casino
More than 15 people interested in traffic on Hwy. 93 near Irvine Flats Road and Rocky Point Road attended a meeting at the Lake County Courthouse last Monday with Bob Vosen from the Montana Department of Transportation.
Ronan City Council tutored on SIDs
Local bankers Jamie Buhr and Brennin Grainey attended the April 9 Ronan City Council meeting to present facts on Special Improvement Districts. Mark Drinkwater, developer of Mission Valley Homesites, had approached the council regarding an SID for the first phase of a 221-lot subdivision on the southeast edge of Ronan.
Siips aims to creatively quench thirst
Does a “dirty” Dr. Pepper, concocted with fresh lime, coconut and vanilla, sound good? Siips at 80 Heritage Lane in Polson makes this drink and many other custom beverages.
Dog Tag Buddies brings healing to local veteran
Wriggly Zippy is a carefree Boxer, but four-year-old Gretchen has a serious side. The regal black Great Dane with splashy white stockings and white beauty marks is a service dog for Bill.
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.
Ronan Police Officer Gilliland honored at council meeting
The Ronan City Council’s March 26 meeting began with Ronan Police Chief Rob Jacobson presenting Ronan Police Officer J. Gilliland a commendation issued by the Montana Public Safety Board Standards and Training Post Council for outstanding conduct and excellence in public safety.
Ronan Mill blends coffee, flowers and wildebeest
Wildebeests, coffee, lotus drinks, and flowers lend a unique ambiance to the Ronan Mill on Round Butte Road. The neon coffee sign in its window gives just a hint of the surprising business inside.
Bud Cheff entertains gathering of Montana History Buffs
Bud Cheff was the guest speaker at the latest meeting of the Montana History Buffs held at the Miracle of America Museum on March 19.
B-I-N-G-O: Polson seniors host weekly game
Bingo is a regular Friday night event at the Polson Senior Citizens Center. About 30 people were seated in the main room of the center recently as Randy Burley called out the letter and number combo, and players quickly scanned the rows on their cards.
Swanky Sisters moves to Creamery Mall
Owner Beverley Osterwyk and her crew moved Swanky Sisters Mercantile to a new location in the Creamery Mall in Ronan three weeks ago, and they’re still unpacking boxes of fabric, notions, baby items and gifts.
Ronan Council adopts hazard mitigation plan, final budget
Mark Clary, head of the Lake County Emergency Management Office, asked the Ronan City Council to pass a resolution to adopt the Montana Western Montana Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2024-2029. They passed it unanimously at their March 12 meeting.
Antique Ronan grandstand needs help
Last year’s winds peeled a portion of tin roof from the west covered grandstand at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Ronan. But the damaged roof turned out to not be the only issue with the aging structure.
Constitutional Road Show explores democracy's foundation
The Montana Constitution Road Show travelled to Polson last Friday, drawing a full house in the North Lake County Library meeting room.
Ronan City Council plans to “go to school” on SIDs
Mission Valley Homesites developer Mark Drinkwater and his attorney, James Raymond, were on hand at last Wednesday’s Ronan City Council meeting. They were on the agenda with a second request to create a Special Improvement District (SID) in Drinkwater’s 221-lot subdivision on the southeast edge of Ronan.
Hale family frustrated with pace of justice
Last Wednesday was a sunny morning – too beautiful for the sadness members of Kaylee Hale’s family and friends felt as they gathered in front of the Lake County Courthouse. Ravens cawed raucously as Hale’s grandmother and aunts handed out bright red signs and t-shirts reading “Justice for Kaylee.”
Jack Stivers steps in as county extension agent
Longtime MSU Extension agent Jack Stivers is back in the saddle again, sharing wisdom and ag advice at the MSU Lake County Extension Office in Ronan.
Polson chief authors books on Public Law 280 and Indian law
Weighty stacks of “Odyssey of the Flathead Indian Reservation and Public Law 280” and “An Odyssey of American Indian Case Law” sat beside George Simpson as he signed copies last Friday at the North Lake County Public Library in Polson.
Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies
Stories harvested from the pages of the Flathead Courier, Feb. 23, 1950
PHS principal promoted to superintendent July 1
Polson High School principal Andy Fors will be changing jobs July 1 when he steps into the role of superintendent of School District 23. Mike Cutler, who joined the district in 2021, is retiring at the end of the school year.
Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies
Stories harvested from the pages of The Flathead Courier, Feb. 19, 1925.
Luck and hard work lift Charlo barrel racer to the top
Some rodeo people won’t wear a yellow shirt in a rodeo arena and others will only wear a certain “lucky” hat. But for Charlo barrel racer Abby Knight, luck is woven into six braids in her horse’s mane.
Four members appointed to Ronan study commission
Ronan Mayor Chris Adler appointed volunteers Chuck Holman, Rebecca Galiazzi, Niko Jackson and Noah McDonald as members of the voter-approved study commission tasked with looking at Ronan’s city government.
FLIC screens 47 films, and the winners are …
With 47 films screening at the Showboat Stadium 6 Theatre, the Flathead Lake International Cinemafest was a big presence in Polson last weekend, thanks to David and Jessica King and their crew of FLIC volunteers.
New owners take the reins at Muley Bluz
Effie and Shannon Clairmont celebrated the New Year as the new owners of Muley Bluz Cowboys Toys in Ronan.
Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies
Stories gleaned from The Flathead Courier, Published on the Shores of Beautiful Flathead, America's Finest Lake, Feb. 16, 1950:
New crop inducted into Ronan Hall of Fame
The Ronan Hall of Fame inducted a crop of new members Feb. 1 at the Community Center in Ronan.
Community event promotes healthy babies and families
The parking lot in front of the Joe McDonald Health and Education Center was packed on Saturday morning for the Love at First Sight Baby Fair. The event was the work of CSKT Early Childhood Services.
Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies
News items gleaned from The Flathead Courier, Feb. 7, 1925
Biz Briefs
New Buffalo Gals Market opens in Ronan; SBG Polson celebrates first anniversary
Grace Heiner: Ronan junior "brightens up everyone's day"
An exceptional student athlete with a wide circle of friends and activities, Ronan’s Grace Heiner is the recipient of the Winslow Nichols Leadership Award from Logan Health. Heiner will receive a $500 check to give to the organization of her choice.
Ronan council updated on tourism grant
Jan Tusick, executive director of Mission West Community Development Organization, updated the Ronan City Council at last Wednesday’s meeting on the Pilot Community Tourism Grant from the Montana Department of Commerce that the City of Ronan received.
Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies
News stories gleaned from the archives of the Mission Valley News, Jan. 17, 1977.
Whoopin' it up with Wylie and the Wild West
Mission Valley Live brought Wylie and the Wild West to the Ronan Performing Arts Center on Friday night, and the place was packed, with plenty of whooping and hollering from both the stage and the audience.
Winter Fest celebrates sled dogs and snow machines
Snow sifted down gently Saturday, and the temperature hovered around 33 degrees – perfect for the Miracle of America Museum’s annual Winter Fest.
Ronan council considers PAL Memory Care, gravel pit subdivision
Keith Deaville, who owns PAL Memory Care in Ronan, Polson and St. Ignatius, approached the Ronan City Council at last Wednesday’s meeting to make them aware of two construction projects he has pending in Ronan.
Irvine Flats ranchers win state stewardship award
Irvine Flats west of Polson is cow country, with lots of grass, hills and swales. Ranch families are the main residents in the sparsely populated area, and one of those families, Greg and Lynn Gardner, their daughter Brittany and her husband Wacey Cathey, received the 2024 Montana Stockgrowers Association Stewardship Award.
Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies
Stories gleaned from the Mission Valley News, Jan. 13, 1977