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Lake County Leader
Polson Seniors: Laughter is best-kept secret
I overheard a conversation about a person who didn’t want to go to exercise class at the Senior Center because “Everyone who goes there dies!”Well, yes, they do. We all die from something. Sometimes it’s laughter – the best-kept secret for a life well-lived.Free Oral Health Screenings will be offered by registered dental hygienists from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16.Nominations for officers and board members are now open for our next fiscal year starting Sept. 1. The annual meeting and elections start at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 23. Lunch is served at noon.You can look forward to events for...
Ronan celebrates its heritage at Pioneer Days
Ronan Pioneer Days took over the town last Friday through Sunday. There was something fun for everyone: 3-on-3 Jamboree, with more than 100 entries, a car show, 5K run, City Slickers Rodeo for kids, a softball tourney, kids fishing derby and Sunday’s Big Parade. The open rodeo included a special bulls and broncs performance on Friday night, followed by rodeo action at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, including the always popular wild buffalo ride..Both Friday and Saturday night there was a street dance on Main Street. “We had a great turnout for the street dances,” said Jannel Smart of...
Polson man admits to unemployment fraud
A Polson man has admitted to receiving unemployment benefits to which he was not entitled. Samuel Wendell Jr., 36, entered a plea of guilty Aug. 1 in District Court at Polson to felony theft.The plea was entered as part of an agreement that calls for sentencing being deferred for six years to give Wendell time to pay restitution.According to court records, between May 2020 and May 2021, Wendell under-reported his income which led to him receiving $27,035 in pandemic unemployment assistance while being gainfully employed.Judge John A. Mercer presided over the change of plea hearing and set sentencing for Sept. 26. Wendell remains at liberty on his own recognizance.
Fire danger drops to high due to recent rains
Due to recent rainfall, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes dropped the fire danger from Extreme to High on Tuesday.According to a press release from the CSKT Division of Fire, Sunday’s precipitation and cooler temperatures prompted the move. However, Stage 2 fire restrictions remain in effect within the boundary of the reservation until further notice.“It is August in Montana, so fire season is not over, and fire danger will likely move up and vegetation will begin to cure,” warned CSKT Fire Prevention Specialist C.T. Camel. He said the fine, dead fuel on the forest floor is the primary carrier of...
Vitek pleads guilty; sentencing set for Sept. 18
Judge Molly Owen set a sentencing date of Sept. 18 for a Bigfork man accused of shooting three people, killing one of them. Matthew Thomas Vitek, 50, entered a plea of guilty in District Court at Polson July 31 to felony charges of deliberate homicide and two counts of attempted deliberate homicide.The charges each carry a maximum 100-year prison sentence, plus 10 years for a weapons enhancement. However, Vitek entered his guilty plea as part of a plea agreement in which the state agreed to drop the weapons enhancement charge.The agreement also calls for a joint recommendation of 100 years...
Mission Valley athletes shine at Veterans Memorial Classic
Six different Mission Valley players represented their communities at the 11th annual Veterans Memorial Classic at the Belgrade Softball Complex on Friday and Saturday, July 26-27.Polson’s Carli Maley and Mckenna Hanson played for the Marines, while fellow Lady Pirates Sam Rensvold played for the Coast Guard and Olivia Jore played for the Air Force. Mission-Arlee-Charlo’s Izzy Evans played for the Coast Guard, and Ronan’s Nikki Kendall played for the Army.The Marines went 1-3 but opened the tournament with a 12-4 win over Coast Guard. Hanson went 2-for-3 with a home run, while Maley also had a hit. For Coast Guard,...
Busse paints positive picture of Montana's future
Thunder boomed as a deluge of rain fell outside, setting the stage for a powerful presentation by Ryan Busse at a gathering of Montanans. Running for governor, he painted a positive picture of the future with articulate skill, humor and warmth.If elected, this future includes Ryan's honoring Montana's constitutional right to a “clean and healthful environment,” the right to privacy and freedom of choice, and our right as citizens to vote freely without harassment or confusion.Upset about property taxes? Busse would work to undo the disastrous increase placed on us by the Gianforte administration. Taxes on the governor's mansion went...
Legals for August, 7 2024
NOTICE TO CREDITORS Montana Twentieth Judicial District Court Lake County Cause No DP-21-01 Notice to Creditors IN RE THE ESTATE OF DOUGLAS KAYLE HOBBS, DECEDENT. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN the undersigned has been appointed as Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the said estate are required to present their claim within four months after the date of the first publication. of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed, return receipt requested, to Naomi L Proud, C/O St. Peter O’Brien Law offices, P.C., 2620 Radio Way, PO Box 17255 Missoula, MT...
Leonard Schliep
Leonard Schliep was born in Polson on April 23, 1946, to Lester and Mary Benson Schliep. He passed away on Aug. 1, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Leonard graduated from Polson High School in 1965 and shortly thereafter enlisted in the Navy and was in the Construction Battalions Pacific. He served two tours in Vietnam. Leonard was honorably discharged in October of 1969. He returned to Polson where he began a long career in construction and property management.Leonard married Shirley Meidinger in 1974 and gained children Brit, Kandi and Shawn. Together they had their daughter Mindy. They later divorced, but...
On the Agenda
Update on Courthouse Annex and Jail Yard Project: 1:30 p.m. Aug. 1, Lake County CourthousePolson City Commission: 7 p.m. Aug. 5, City HallFinley Point Fire Mitigation Project Discussion: 2 p.m. Aug. 6, Commissioners Chambers, Lake County CourthouseSt. Ignatius City Council: 6 p.m. Aug. 6, City HallLake County Transportation Advisory Committee: 11 a.m. Aug. 14 at CSKT Transit Center, 52001 Quicksilver Rd., Pablo; discussion of public transportation issues.
Ronan man sentenced for generator theft
A Ronan man was committed in District Court in Polson July 25 to the Montana Department of Corrections for five years with all but 220 days of time served suspended on a burglary charge. Edward Glen Truman, 34, was also given a five-year DOC term all suspended for violating terms of probation. Truman was on probation stemming from a felony escape conviction.The sentencing was part of a plea agreement reached earlier that dismissed a drug-possession charge related to possessing heroin on New Year's Day 2021.According to court records, on Nov. 20, 2017, while in custody on unrelated charges, Truman told...
Festival celebrates the humble huckleberry
It’s that time of year again! For more than 40 years, the second Saturday of August has meant art, food and fun on the shores of Swan Lake.The original Swan Lake Huckleberry Festival takes place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Swan Lake Day Park near mile marker 72 on Montana Highway 83. Admission is free.The event opens with a huckleberry pancake breakfast served from 8-11 a.m. A beer and wine garden is open in the afternoon.The Arts and Crafts Fair will feature more than 50 booths of Montana-made and handmade works. Food trucks and vendors will provide a wide variety of food and drink. Of course, the traditional huckleberry pies and pastries along with huckleberry candy and ice cream will be available to enjoy. The band Silverado will play throughout the dayOther scheduled events include a baking contest at 11 a.m., a silent auction, raffles and kids’ games.The Swan Lake Huckleberry Festival is sponsored by the Swan Lake Chamber of Commerce and Community Club.
Mission Valley Ice Arena gets boost from dunk tank
Visitors to Polson’s July 28-29 Flathead Cherry Festival showed a keen interest and accurate aim in dunking Mission Valley Ice Arena Association volunteers at this year’s popular dunk-tank fundraiser.“We were thrilled with all the support, showing community enthusiasm for the ice arena project,” MVIAA Chair Hilary Lozar said.“We lost count of how many dunks, but people were very generous,” she added.The MVIAA team expressed thanks to the Polson Chamber of Commerce, and especially event organizer Carol Lynn Lapotka, for placing the dunk tank in the sunshine of the vacant lot beside Mission Mountain Natural Foods, and to Kevin Straub and...
Scam caller impersonates local police officer
On Tuesday, the Polson Police Department issued a scam warning that in the past 48 hours several residents in Polson had received calls from a person identifying himself as Lieutenant Michael Williams, badge number 57480. The caller tells them that he is a law enforcement officer, and that the person he’s calling has missed a court date. He then requests they pay a fee or fine and warns them that if they do not pay, they will be arrested. In some instances, he has even emailed false paperwork and a bogus arrest warrant. Police Chief George Simpson says the Polson Police Department and all law enforcement in the Mission Valley will never contact anyone via phone or email requesting money. He advises people who receive such a call to hang up and call the non-emergency line at 406-883-7301 to report the incident. “If you believe you may have an outstanding situation with any law enforcement agency, we suggest you visit that organization in person,” adds Simpson.
CSKT fighting three active fires on reservation
The rain that arrived Monday night was especially welcome to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire, which is fighting three active fires within the boundaries of the Flathead Reservation. All three fires were caused by lightning strikes.The Division of Fire also upped fire danger to extreme over the weekend. Despite Tuesday's cooler temperatures, hotter weather will return this week, with temperatures predicted to reach the mid to high 90s by this weekend.The Haymaker Fire, located six miles southeast of Polson in the Mission Mountains, is burning in steep terrain with thick, dense timber, and had consumed about 18 acres Monday. A Type II helicopter was dropping water on the fire Sunday and Monday.The Mill Pocket Fire, located 20 miles west of Elmo, was attacked by Division of Fire crews and engines. It had burned around 153 acres.The Sullivan Fire, at 105 acres, is located eight miles northeast of Hot Springs, and was attacked from overhead and by bulldozers.As of Tuesday, none of the fires threatened structures or road closures.For more information on active fires, visit www.facebook.com/CSKT.Division.of.Fire.
Unity ticket: Choose Kinzinger for VP
In most election years the candidates for Vice President have little real effect on election outcomes. The most often cited exception to this is the presence on the long ago 1960 Democratic ticket of Senator Lyndon Johnson, who probably carried Johnson’s home state of Texas for the Kennedy – Johnson ticket. People now on Social Security were barely born in that year of JFK and LBJ. The rollicking politics of this year, however, may set the stage for a real and meaningful selection for Vice President.The emergence of dynamic and charismatic Kamala Harris now provides the Democrats with a running chance...
Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies
The Flathead Courier, July 31, 1924Seven girls nominated for county princess Seven young ladies have been nominated for Princess of Lake County to represent this county at the Montana State Fair to be held Sept. 23-27.A voting ballot will be published in this issue and again next week. The voting closes Saturday, Aug. 9. The following are the candidates:Miss Lenora Jensen, PolsonMiss Ruth Burke, PolsonMiss Catherine Grenier, PolsonMiss Hertha Butt, PabloMiss Milda Reinertsen, Valley ViewMiss Thelma Elliott, RonanMiss Edna Sallee, PolsonFarm Notes from U.S. Agriculturist in RonanA considerable number of people are coming into the office of the agriculturist asking for work....
The Last Slice: Hospice nurse shares memoir
Longtime Hospice nurse RuthiE Neilan, who grew up in Ronan, shares her memoir, “A sweet Taste of the Last Slice,” during a reading and reception at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, at the North Lake County Library in Polson. She’ll also participate in the First Saturday event, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Ninepipes Museum south of Ronan.Neilan will also play Native American flute – an instrument she regards as “my other voice” – at both events. The author regards the flute as a sacred instrument and its music as a form of prayer.Now an octogenarian, Neilan recounts her...
Flathead Lake Biological Station celebrates 125 years with Open House
The University of Montana’s Flathead Lake Biological Station (FLBS) is 125 years old this year, and welcomes the public to a free and family-friendly FLBS125 Anniversary Open House celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 2.Explore the FLBS campus in Yellow Bay, meet the team, and learn about the Flathead Watershed and the station’s cutting-edge, world-renowned research and immersive education programs. Open House programming will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a welcome presentation featuring past and current FLBS directors.Throughout the event, the Bio Station’s 125 years of research, monitoring, and education will be on full display. FLBS...
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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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