MMIP walk/run raises awareness of those who are missing
To call attention to Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, Salish Kootenai College, Providence St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Safe Harbor, and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes collaborated for a second year on the MMIP Awareness 5K Walk/Run, held May 4 at the Silver Fox Golf Course in Pablo.
Ronan boutique carries classy, quirky clothing and jewelry
The Jaded Pony Boutique’s wares are a lot cowgirl and a bit sass, sparkle, and snark. Anything but cluttered, the Jaded Pony mirrors the style and personality of Kelly Jo Nagle, who owns the business with her husband, Dusty.
Head Start Powwow honors Jeanne Christopher
Children who attend Head Start in the 10 classrooms around Lake County waited as patiently as they could for the Head Start Powwow to begin at the Ronan Event Center gym last Friday night.
Buttigieg highlights Hwy. 93 funding during reservation visit
The Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Law and its connection to safety for people and wildlife was on Pete Buttigieg’s mind during his recent visit to the Flathead Reservation. Buttigieg, the U.S. Transportation Secretary, was in Western Montana Monday and Tuesday to celebrate funding from the Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Biden in 2021.
Ronan Council delves into MREC property again
In the ongoing effort to decide the future of the Mission Recreation Event Center property in Ronan, the Ronan City Council discussed a recent letter from the Lake County Commissioners during their regular meeting last Wednesday.
Governor, Dayton students initiate Big Arm Archery Range
Governor Greg Gianforte launched the first arrow, followed by a group of Dayton Elementary students last Wednesday during the official opening of the Big Arm Public Archery Range.
Time Capsule: Headlines from the weekly archives
Flathead Beacon, 1960: Who’s the better runner over a 72-mile distance – a man or a horse? Flathead Courier, 1974: Flathead Tribes protest personal property taxes
Tribal Health helps rescue Buttercup Run
A one-mile run, a 5k, and a 10k fun run gave runners options in the Jocko Valley Buttercup Run, held Saturday in Arlee. Audrey Claire Espinoza, 6, won the one-mile run.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Time Capsule: Headlines of yore from the weekly archives
The following news tidbits were gleaned from the pages of the Flathead Courier.
Milla Koger honored for fair board service
Milla Koger, a 14-year member of the Lake County Fair Board, retired from the board at the February meeting. She received a heart-shaped plaque for her service from fellow board member Katie Jo Elliot.
Ronan Council signals intention to buy MREC property
Kim Aipperspach and Mike Bartel, representing Ronan Pioneer Days, returned to Ronan City Council March 27 to continue a discussion of the Mission Range Event Center land.
Filing deadline for school board trustees is March 28
Looking for a challenging and rewarding way to contribute to the community? Seats are open on every school board in Lake County. But hurry: the filing deadline is today, March 28.
Time Capsule: From the weekly archives
Headlines from the weekly newspapers of yesteryear
Drone curriculum takes flight in Polson Middle School
Just the word “drone” entices kids; they want to get their hands on the intricate machines and learn how to fly them. If they attend Polson Middle School, they are in luck.
Ninepipes hosts inaugural Easter egg hunt and bazaar
Sunday’s surprise snow around Ninepipes Lodge was dotted with brightly colored Easter eggs, and children in hats, mittens, and warm boots hunting for them.
Dayton teacher brings extra tools to classroom
“It’s Dr. Seuss’s birthday that’s why we’re dressed like crazy people today – it’s Wacky Wednesday,” Cheryl Muri said.
MREC: Still no resolution in sight for Ronan parcel
Lake County Commissioners met with Ronan Pioneer Days representatives Kim Aipperspach and Mike Bartel Monday afternoon to discuss the future of the Mission Range Event Center.
Ronan City Council hears Pioneer Days plan for MREC
Mike Bartel, former Ronan Mayor Kim Aipperspach and Amanda Symington, representing Ronan Pioneer Days, approached the city council about the Mission Range Event Complex land during the council meeting last Wednesday. The property is located on Mink Lane, behind Western Building Center.
Wok and Roll: High school senior opens his first business
Not many business owners are going to the Polson High School prom, but William Debeeld is not just any entrepreneur. The Polson High senior attends school until 1:25 p.m. weekdays, runs home quickly before opening his business, Nicala’s Asian Cuisine by 2 or 2:30 p.m. at the Polson VFW Post 2986’s kitchen.
Little Shop Montana finds new home on Main Street
The Little Shop Montana, which recently moved from Highway 93 to Polson’s Main Street is a pleasure to explore.
Kunekune: Round Butte couple raises affable pigs
Kunekune (pronounced KOOnee KOOnee) sows and gilts bask in the sunshine or nibble on the remnants of their morning hay. On the other side of the fence, the Kunekune “boys” explore any plant life and hang out, some napping in the sun while Margie the Tibetan Mastiff keeps an eye out for coyotes and other predators.
Country Store moves to new location
Snowflakes as big as quarters didn’t deter the Country Store crew on Saturday morning as they hauled boxes of household goods, toys and clothing racks to a waiting trailer. As soon as the racks were in the trailer, volunteers carried out armloads of clothes on hangers and re-hung them for the short trip to their new digs, around the corner at the former Odyssey Auto Glass building at 5 4th Ave. West in Polson.
Time Capsule: From the weekly archives
News gleaned from the archives of the weekly newspapers that became the Lake County Leader.
Harbor Light Furniture: Still a family affair
Harbor Light Furniture and Flooring will celebrate a big anniversary this year: 75 years as a Main Street business and 50 years with the Fisher/Whisman family.
Ronan Council gives preliminary approval to Jake Jannsen subdivision
The Ronan City Council heard from Ronan Superintendent Mark Johnson last Wednesday about a plan to build two duplexes to house four new teachers who are unable to find housing in the area. The school district’s project will be part of the new Jake Jannsen minor subdivision, which received preliminary conditional approval from the council Wednesday.
Ronan Cooperative Brewery celebrates new license
The Ronan Cooperative Brewery has been awarded its new license, which allows it to serve wine and stay open until 2 a.m. To celebrate, owners, patrons and friends of the Co-op turned out Friday night, March 1, for the official New License Party.
Chamber honors community leaders during Nashville Nights
Nashville Nights was the theme of Polson Chamber of Commerce’s Community Awards Night on Feb. 24. Guests got into the spirit of the event with hats, boots, jeans and bling.
FWP changes state park reservation system
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has implemented some changes to the reservation system for state parks, designed to make it easier for Montana residents to secure campsites during the hectic summer months.
Tourism plan emphasizes stewardship
Glacier Country brought its Destination Stewardship Plan for tourism to a town meeting at the Ronan Community Center on Feb. 13. With approximately 14 people in the audience, the turnout was low but the input was high.
FLIC showcases other lives, places, stories
On a cold and snowy winter weekend, the Flathead Lake International Cinemafest (FLIC) provided an interesting and fun indoor event at Showboat Stadium 6.
The Awe Factor: Polson senior Kai McDonald heads to National meet
“There’s one part of my piece where I throw myself on the ground. I catch myself with my arms, and I kind of slowly lower myself and lay down. Every time a judge sees it, they are kind of left in awe,” Kai McDonald said, smiling.
Time Capsule: Now there was a fight – er, dance
From the Mission Valley News, Feb. 7, 1979: Oh, the dances they had up Valley Creek! The Morins, Morigeaus, Hansens, and Whites had come as homesteaders. Their homes were scattered up Valley Creek. All week every member of the family worked hard, putting up buildings, tilling the virgin soil, fulfilling the requirements of the Homestead Act.
Time Capsule: Fighting the polio epidemic
From the Ronan Pioneer, Jan. 20, 1949: Polio epidemics, sales tax proponents, legislative assignments
Baby Fair: Love at First Sight
“Love at First Sight” was the theme of the 2024 Baby Fair, held Feb. 3 at the Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center on the campus of Salish Kootenai College.
Koda King: “An exceptionally positive and contagious attitude”
Ronan High School’s boys wrestling team is having a great year, and junior Koda King is in the thick of it, wrestling in the 152-pound class. The highly motivated student athlete is the recipient of the Winslow Nichols Leadership Award from Logan Health.
Time Capsule: From the weekly archives
News items harvested from the archives of Lake County's weekly newspapers
Ronan council refunds subdivision fee
During the Ronan City Council meeting last Wednesday, Jan. 24, council members voted to refund $610 in planning fees to Scott Beggs for a proposed subdivision.
Monster Mania: Polson students collaborate on multi-faceted project
“What is your monster’s name?” Cherry Valley teacher Joanie Bowen asked Jackson Mays. “Bob,” the first grader replied. He held his orange and green, eight-legged, multi-eyed monster out for the other kids to see, and the monster’s star-shaped antennae wriggled.
Snow, freezing rain cause crashes, slide-ins
As welcome as snow is – especially for skiers and irrigators – it’s arrival has created havoc for drivers and local law enforcement.
Satori expands space, offerings
Since she was a Polson Middle School student, Brianna Weivoda has dreamed of a place where people can come to heal and get healthy, and now she has one: Satori Holistic Healing Center.