Switch flipped on Lights Under the Big Sky
Airplanes flying over the Mission Valley must have wondered what was happening in Ronan Friday evening to illuminate the night sky. The answer is Lights Under the Big Sky at the fairgrounds.
The Warming Center: Keeping people warm and safe
A tidy white house and a long bunkhouse on 5th Ave. E. in Pablo welcome guests to the Warming Center on chilly nights.
Parade of Lights brightens Main Street
The Ronan Parade of Lights was a one-horse parade, but that one horse was worth seeing with lights in his tail and a rider in a beautiful Pendleton jacket, accompanying a float raising awareness of No More Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies
Articles harvested from the Flathead Courier, Dec. 26, 1974
Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies
Stories from 1924 gleaned from the pages of the Flathead Courier.
Agency on Aging breaks ground on new transit center
Western Montana Transit broke ground on its new building in Ronan Nov. 19. Located on Hwy. 93 across from Town Pump, the new structure will provide a central location for the department’s vehicles to be under cover, as well as a large community center room and five offices.
Polson dinner a giant exercise in generosity
Last Thursday morning in Polson, a line of cars with community members coming to pick up their Thanksgiving feast reached from the Mission Valley Elks down the right side of Main Street to Hwy. 93.
Tree-lighting launches holiday countdown
It was a countdown to 6 p.m. Saturday evening when the Polson Christmas tree's lights first blinked on, spreading light around the lawn at the Lake County Courthouse.
Ronan's Thanksgiving dinner has family feel
Those attending the Ronan Community Thanksgiving Dinner last week were greeted at the door by a smiling Diane and Phil Grant, wishing them “Happy Thanksgiving.”
Hunt for treasures during Small Business Saturday
Small Business Saturday – Shop Small will be Nov. 30. Shops, stores, and merchants around the Mission Valley are planning displays, discounts, sales, and treats to reward local shoppers for staying in the Mission Valley and supporting local businesses.
Reciprocity was theme of SKC climate symposium
A regional climate symposium held at Salish Kootenai College on Nov. 21 gathered representatives from state, federal, tribal, and non-government organizations to discuss climate efforts and projects.
Whitefish bus burns at Ronan High School speech meet
The competition at speech and debate meets can get heated, but not as hot as the Whitefish bus did last Saturday.
Ronan council discusses service rooster and subdivision
Ronan resident Kandi Holt approached the Ronan City Council last Wednesday regarding support for her “support rooster.”
Time Capsule: So you want to be a reporter?
News gleaned from the Mission Valley News, Nov. 21, 1979
Hi-Line Deli: This joint is open
With a red neon sign that states “This Joint Is Open,” the Hi-Line General Store and Deli in Ronan welcomes customers from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The deli, located in the former Ronan Sports & Western building on Hwy. 93, is adjacent to the Hi-Line marijuana dispensary.
Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies
News gleaned from the archives of local weekly newspapers. This week's stories were published Nov. 14, 1979 in the Mission Valley News.
Country Store thriving in new location
Volunteers Phyllis Dresen and Jan Dybdal were in charge of the Country Store last Friday afternoon at its new location at 5 4th Ave. W. in Polson.
Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies
News gleaned from the pages of the Ronan Pioneer, Oct. 24, 1924
Krav Maga self-defense class opens eyes and minds
Attendees of Amberly Walker’s self-defense class each grabbed a partner and soon the sound of open palm slaps hitting mitts and shields filled the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal gym in St. Ignatius on Saturday.
Popular RHS business teacher wins state award
The annual Educators Conference, held Oct. 17-18, saw Ronan High teacher Heather Gray reconnecting with other teachers and career educators across Montana.But there was an added surprise: Gray was named Montana Career and Technical Educator for 2024.
Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies
News gleaned from the Ronan Pioneer 100 years ago
Dollar General store opens; Dollar Tree comes next
A Dollar General store opened recently at 63741 Hwy. 93, just south of Valley Bank in Ronan. Meanwhile, a Dollar Tree is under construction at 143 Ridgewater Dr. in Polson, and is advertising for sales associates.
Haunted Fairgrounds needs more victims
The buildings look normal, painted and nicely kept, but inside lurks a scary maze, haunted rooms, the wall of hands, skeletons, ghouls and graveyards, just to name a few of the sights at the Haunted Fairgrounds in Ronan.
Ronan Council continues tree discussion
Ronan’s City Council members went on a field trip at the beginning of last Wednesday’s meeting.
Government study commissions still need members
According to the Montana League of Women Voters, Montana’s Constitution is the only one in the nation to stipulate that voters be given an opportunity every 10 years to decide whether or not to review their form of government by forming local government study commissions.
Bison Range goes batty in honor of Bat Week
In honor of international Bat Week, Oct. 24-31, and in advance of Halloween, bat enthusiasts gathered Saturday, Oct. 19, to celebrate the iconic critter at the CSKT Bison Range in Moiese.
Entrepreneur proposes innovative housing option
At a meeting last Thursday with the Lake County Commissioners, Keith DeVille offered an overview of the “big idea” that he and his partners are planning and why.
Problem trees prompt Ronan Council discussion
Trees planted on Ronan’s Main Street were a topic of discussion at the Ronan City Council meeting. Leaves have clogged the storm drains during big rainstorms, and city workers have been called out at 1 p.m. to shovel them out.
Polson NAPA opens second store north of Pablo
The new Mission Valley Auto Parts–NAPA north of Pablo is huge, and it needs to be big to hold the variety and number of parts they sell. The store celebrated its second location with a grand opening bash Saturday, Oct. 5.
Dog dilemma: More dogs, fewer foster homes and adoptions
Life Savers Animal Rescue always needs more foster homes in order to save more pups and find them a forever home. Needing more people to foster dogs and more resources is also an issue for the Mission Valley Animal Shelter, located south of Polson.
Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies
Stories of yesteryear, harvested from the archives
Another season wraps up for Big Arm camp hosts
Huge cedar trees, some twisted and gnarled but all displaying ice blue berries this time of year, mingle with mature Ponderosa pines at Big Arm State Park on the southwest shore of Flathead The park is a favorite place to camp on the shore of Flathead Lake, with shade and access for swimming and fishing.
Pedal to Plate highlights farms, local history
Mother Nature smiled on the Mission Valley Area Pedal to Plate bike ride, held Saturday, Sept. 21. The weather was sunny but a bit crisp at starting time and slowly warmed up as the day progressed.
Sunny Harvest Fest drew large crowd
Harvest Fest in Ronan was loaded with vendors, visitors, children, animals, and food trucks on Saturday, Sept. 21.
Fall Wildlife Festival provides info, cider presses
The Fall Wildlife Festival at the Ronan Visitor’s Center welcomed everybody to their fourth annual event on Saturday, Sept. 14. The event festival is sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Natural Resources Department.
Ronan City Council leases MREC land to Pioneer Days Co.
Ronan Mayor Chris Adler shouted, “Hallelujah,” and everyone clapped as a motion was made and approved by Council for the Pioneer Days Company’s lease of the Mission Valley Range Event Complex land.
Rocket Kid: Ronan student earns trip to Kennedy Space Center
With electric blue glasses and a few freckles scattered across his face, Tobias Becker is a fifth grader on a mission.
Valley View Women’s Club celebrates its heritage
Kids were chasing bubbles and each other on the green lawn at the Valley View Clubhouse on Saturday afternoon.
Azzopardi’s backcountry ethic will carry over to Legislature
My experiences hiking and backpacking with Shirley Azzopardi illuminated qualities that will benefit House District 13.
Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies
Stories gleaned from newspapers of yesteryear
Ronan School District tries something new – affordable teacher housing
“In the past couple of years, we have lost teachers due to not being able to find affordable housing,” said Ronan Superintendent Mark Johnston. The district's solution was to build a teacherage to “hopefully entice and retain good new teachers.”
Dastardly pirates invade during Dayton Daze
A crusty crew calling themselves Pirates of the Flathead sailed into Dayton on the west shore of Flathead Lake on Saturday, Sept. 7, for Dayton Daze.
Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies
News stories plucked from the archives of local weekly newspapers.
Ronan City Council delves into Pioneer Days/MREC lease
The Ronan City Council officially annexed the Mission Range Event Complex land during its regular meeting on Aug. 28, and approved a change of use for the property, located west of town on Mink Lane.
Arlee admin shuffle: District starts year with new superintendent and principal
Cory Beckham, who spent four years as Arlee Junior High and High Principal principal, has stepped into the role of Arlee Superintendent of Schools. With Beckham stepping up to superintendent, Arlee has hired Jonkar Arceniega to take over as the new high school principal.
Mission Valley Aquatics drops Silver Sneakers, adds sliding scale
Even though Silver Sneakers are involved, this is not a fairy tale. But it does have a happy ending.
Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies
Stories gleaned from the archives of local weekly newspapers. This week: The Flathead Courier, Sept. 1, 1949
Polson School Board approves grade realignment, new classrooms
The Polson School Board tackled some major issues at their meeting Monday, including the vote to realign classes at Cherry Valley and Linderman elementary schools and Polson Middle School in the 2025-’26 school year, and to add three new classrooms at Cherry Valley.
New superintendent says “Charlo wants to be true to Charlo”
Since Teresa Weems loves the mountains, the commute from Missoula to Charlo is “a renewed blessing everyday,” she said. While she’s a fan of the countryside, the new superintendent of the Charlo School District says she’s here for the students.
Day of Hope: Meeting families' needs
Polson Police were helping kids try on tactical vests, and Polson firefighters were showing off a fire truck while families and children wandered down Third Avenue during the 2024 Day of Hope on Aug. 17. The annual event helps kids and families get the gear they need to start the new year.