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Lake County Leader
Lady Pirates pick up wins at Bitteroot Brawl
The 18U Lady Pirates bowed out of the 2024 Bitterroot Brawl Tournament held in Florence and Stevensville on June 28-30 with an 8-6 loss to the Falls Fusion.In Sunday's game, Polson took the early lead, 5-2, but Great Falls scored six more runs before the Lady Pirates found the plate with a run in the fourth. Catcher Opal Nash had a double and drove in a run while Kailey Smith went 3-for-3 with two RBI.On Saturday night, Polson defeated the CutBank SkyRiders 10-8. Polson made the most of six hits as McKenna Hanson went 2-for-2 with a double and an...
Mission Mountain Rodeo draws good crowd
Audience members flocked to the Mission Mountain Rodeo on Friday and Saturday nights. Attendance was up, according to Polson Fairgrounds Inc. secretary Una Rose Graham. PFI produces the annual event. “The weather was perfect, not too hot, not too cold,” Graham said, adding that lots of people showed up to watch the youth events at 6 p.m. Youth events were mutton bustin’, mini bull riding and pony mini-buckers.According to Jodi Seifert, who organizes the mutton bustin’, “All the kids events were full. Everybody did great. We had very large crowds each night, too.”As rodeo fans trailed in to find their seats,...
Developing people skills in a world of artificial fulfillment
2024 marks the 20th anniversary since the emergence of Facebook, a social network that promised to interconnect us with friends, family, and even new people. It failed.With teens now spending, on average, five hours per day using social media, the time-tested process of forming bonds in school and learning social norms through trial and error has diminished as screen time continues to replace face-to-face interaction.While some social lessons can still be learned by simply ambling the hallways of our adolescent melting pots, to unlock a fuller social maturity in the age of smartphones, students need a diverse portfolio of real-life...
406 Rodeo focused on the future of rodeo
It was supper time for the 406 Rodeo bucking bulls, horses and ponies at the Polson rodeo grounds. Spotted, black, grey, bay and brown animals all stared at a big bale of hay on the other side of the fence, drawn as if to a tasty green magnet. Joe DeMers cut the strings on the bale and started pitching hay over the fence to the first pen of bulls. 406 Rodeo calls itself a company focused on the future of rodeo, and it’s true. Joe and Lacie DeMers not only cater to adult riders, they also supply stock for Junior Rodeo...
Sweet Pride in July picnic set for July 13
Safe Harbor sponsors the Sweet Pride in July Picnic in the Park, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. July 13 at Ronan City Park. The annual event includes food, fun, games, crafts, a fashion show, and a chance to build community.According to SAFE Harbor Executive Director Brandi Clark, promoting a safe, inclusive and healthy community is core to the organization’s mission.“We are excited to host this annual celebration that connects people of all ages,” she said. “It is a day to chill, enjoy summer in Montana, and make new friends.”Although June is officially the Month of Pride, SAFE Harbor chooses to facilitate ongoing...
Ronan Seniors: Center closed July 5
The center is closed July 5 in honor of Independence Day. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday.Anyone is welcome to enjoy our meals – you don’t have to be a senior citizen! We ask for a $7 donation for our Monday, Wednesday and Friday meals and $10 for our Sunday meal. Those who would like a meal delivered – including businesses – are encouraged to call the center by 10 a.m. at 406-676-2371.Main dishes include enchiladas July 8 and hashbrown casserole July 10.Pinochle is 1:30-4 p.m. Mondays; and the pool table is available 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Join the fun!Commodities will be distributed July 17 at Mission West Food Enterprises, 407 Main St. in Ronan. This will be a one-day-only distribution from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. It will be drive through so please stay in your car.If you need Ensure, we have it. Have your doctor send us a prescription and we can fill it.The Senior Center is available to rent. Call us at 406-676-2371 if you are having an event and need a location.
Three county residents appointed to statewide boards
Governor Greg Gianforte recently appointed three Lake County residents to statewide boards.Tribal Councilwoman Jennifer Finley of Polson was appointed to the State-Tribal Economic Development Commission, a board tasked with assisting, promoting, developing, and providing initiative recommendations for accelerating economic development on reservations in the areas of business expansion, manufacturing, tourism, agriculture and community development.Finley is an author and an advocate for economic development. Her term continues through July 1, 2026.Kevin Askan, who works in the CSKT Tribal Preservation Office, and Elmo resident Duane Reid, the historic preservation officer for the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians, were both appointed to the Burial Preservation Board for terms that expire Sept. 1, 2027. The board protects skeletal remains found throughout the state from disturbance and seeks the repatriation of remains and funerary objects improperly taken from unprotected burial sites.
William Kenneth Neumann
William (Brother Bill) Kenneth Neumann joined his brother, Randy, May 25, 2024. He was living in Cebu, Philippines, and had retired last fall from being a truck driver for many years.He worked for Alaska Airlines, a nursery in Beaverton, Ore., and various trucking companies over the years. He passed from a heart attack, and we are waiting for his remains to be returned to us. He had a very strong work ethic and was proud of his truck-driving career which took him all over the United States.He was born Aug. 5, 1955, in St. Ignatius to Kenneth and Rosie Neumann...
Republicans threaten our freedoms
Talk is cheap when speaking of freedom.All my life, I was told to protect and defend freedom. I was taught to respect patriots who gave their lives for freedom, our freedom.Republicans now threaten this freedom. United under a creed of white nationalism and evangelical delusion, led by a convicted felon.For women facing unexpected pregnancy or complications, losing the freedom to choose is life-shattering. Women are dying because of the Dobbs decision. Republicans should never interfere between a doctor and patient, nor dictate that women have babies. This is a fundamental loss of freedom.Recent reports also highlight efforts by Republicans to...
Judge denies bid to change venue in Sunny White case
Judge Molly Owen of the 20th Judicial District denied a motion for change of venue in the case of a Butte woman charged with running over and killing an Arlee woman.Sunny White, 29, is facing charges stemming from the vehicle vs. pedestrian incident involving Mika Westwolf as she walked along U.S. Highway 93 in the Arlee area on March 31, 2023.The public defender for White, Meghan Benson of Missoula, argued that her client “is entitled to a change of venue because reasonable grounds exist to believe that she would not receive a fair and impartial trial in Lake County.” Benson...
Mission Valley starts Dillon Tourney with win, keeps going
Mission Valley scored nine runs in the final three innings for a 12-4 victory over the Broncs to open the Maybell Arthur Memorial Wood Bat Tournament on Friday, June 28.Mission Valley had 14 hits, including two doubles from Zak Muzquiz. Dawson DuMont had two hits and an RBI, while Wyatt Wadsworth and Aiden Gfroerer each had three hits. Wadsworth drove in two runs while Gfroerer had a double. Holden Emerson also drove in two runs.Wadsworth started the game on the mound, striking out five in four innings of work. Cash Atkison pitched the final two innings, striking out three.MISSION VALLEY...
Thanks to life-saving intervention, I still have a son
My son celebrated his 31st birthday recently. I wrote an “I'm so proud of you” message on Facebook telling of his senior graduation party night where they went up North Crow to party and my son ended up getting so drunk he passed out and aspirated on his vomit.Three tribal police officers went up to check on the party and found my son unconscious and not breathing. They quickly put him in their police car, did CPR and got him to the ambulance, which drove him to the helipad at St. Luke Hospital in Ronan, where he was life-flighted to...
Volunteers, donations enhance Garden for Life
The Arlee Community Development Corporation’s Garden for Life now has a kids’ section and pollinator boxes, thanks to a donation of materials and volunteer labor from South San Francisco-based biotechnology company Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.Genentech donated four galvanized garden boxes, kids’ water tables, and kid-sized garden gloves, buckets and tools. Fifteen volunteers from Genentech and seven from the University of Montana L.S. Skaggs Institute for Health Innovation gathered last month to assemble the garden boxes that will be filled with plants that attract pollinators.According to Sean Murphy, Ecosystem Operations lead at the biotechnology firm, the effort was...
County commissioners plan to impose levy for jail expansion
At a meeting Monday morning, the Lake County Commissioners unanimously approved two resolutions aimed at financing the new courthouse annex and paying for an expansion of the jail.A resolution of intent outlines the requirements of the settlement of a class-action lawsuit mandating that Lake County expand its detention center jail by around 960 square feet and build a secure outside exercise yard for prisoners.The settlement also ordered the county to pay the plaintiff’s legal costs, which amounted to nearly $190,000.To meet space obligations, commissioners opted to build a new annex on county property that’s kitty-corner to the courthouse and move...
Twyla Maisie Shear, 99
Twyla Maisie Shear, 99, passed away Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the Providence St. Joseph Assisted Living Center in Polson.Twyla was born May 16, 1925, to George and Roberta Shear in Morton, Idaho. She graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1943 and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Idaho and started her teaching career in Rupert, Idaho.Twyla obtained her master’s degree and PhD from Michigan State University and taught there for several years.Twyla retired as Professor Emeriti from Penn State University after a long career in higher education, guiding doctoral students through their educational journey. She enjoyed golfing, bowling, bridge and was an avid reader.Twyla was preceded in death by both her brothers, Walt and Herbert Shear. She is survived by her nephews and niece and many, many grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.Twyla will be cremated with later interment at Pinecrest Cemetery in Sandpoint, Idaho. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
Legals for July, 3 2024
PUBLIC NOTICE Housing Solutions, LLC, PO Box 2099, Missoula, Montana 59806, Phone (406) 203-1558, a for-profit organization, hereby notifies all interested persons of Polson, Montana that we are planning to develop, Polson Gardens an affordable multi-family rental housing complex consisting of six four plex buildings on the site between 7th Ave. E. and 5th Ave. E. behind Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Polson, Montana 59860. This complex will consist of 12 one-bedroom units and 12 two-bedroom units for elderly persons. This Project will not be exempt from property taxes. An application will be submitted to the Montana Board of Housing for...
John Joseph Peregoy, 69
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of John Joseph Peregoy. He died at home in Polson on April 13, 2024, at the age of 69.John is preceded in death by his mother Donna Meyers, a Salish-Kootenai Flathead tribal member, father “Buzz” Peregoy and brother Robert “Bob” Peregoy, a Salish-Kootenai Flathead tribal member. John and his brother, Bob, were born and raised in California and they returned to the Flathead reservation later in life to be with family and community.John studied at Montana State University and went on to receive a Ph.D from Syracuse University in multicultural...
Open burning season closes
Fire officials with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire have restricted outdoor burning starting Monday, July 1. Open debris burning will resume after fire season starting Oct. 1.People who burned this spring should go check on their piles to make sure they are fully extinguished. While there are no restrictions at this time, people are urged to be careful with campfires and check for restrictions before recreating in the outdoors.Fireworks are prohibited on all state and federal classified forest lands.“Wildfire season is just around the corner,” says spokesperson C.T. Camel. “Be ‘Fire Safe’ and do your part to prevent wildfires on the Flathead Indian Reservation.”
Polson house fire controlled, cats rescued
The Polson Volunteer Fire Department was paged out at 12:29 p.m. June 25 to a structure fire at 11th Ave. on June 25. A neighbor called in the fire.“The initial fire started in the basement of the house and went up the wall into the attic,” PVFD Chief Clint Cottle said. “The resident of the house was not at home, and the cats in the home were rescued.”Additions to the house, built in 1910, led to unusual attic spaces that were difficult to access. There was damage to the building, but it was not a total loss, according to the chief. The fire was declared out at approximately 3:30 p.m., Cattle said.The cause of the fire is still under investigation, The Polson Rural Volunteer Fire Department, the Ronan Volunteer Fire Department, and the Finley Point Volunteer Fire Department assisted.
Fourth festivities stretch from Arlee to Polson
POLSON: The Polson Chamber lights up the south shore of Flathead Lake with fireworks at dusk July 3 at Riverside Park. The community pays homage to Red, White and BBQ with the Independence Day Parade, noon July 4 on Main Street.Parade entries may be registered online in advance at form.jotform.com/Polson_Chamber/2024-4thjulyparade and cost $25 each.The Polson Minutemen will, once again, put up a defense against the Red Coats at the VFW on July 4. Those interested in joining the resistance, are encouraged to arrive at the VFW by 11 a.m. and head upstairs. Spots are limited.Following the parade, the Polson VFW will...
Lake County Leader
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The Lake County Leader has been in publication since 1910. It covers the Mission Valley and the Flathead Indian Reservation. The office is in Polson, MT which sits on the foot of the Flathead Lake.
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