Columbus
Lake County Leader
St. Ignatius Seniors: Nurse on the Go
Is it difficult for you or a loved one to trim toenails? Call “Nurse on the Go” at 406-253-5114 and schedule your 30-minute foot appointment. Cost is $25 a treatment, and nails are trimmed, and callouses and corns buffed smooth. The nurse is licensed and insured.If you would like a take-out meal, please call 406-745-4462 by 10 a.m. on Tuesday and Friday and by 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Menus are available via email, mail, or at the center.Main dishes include pork chops, noon June 28; ham with mac and cheese, noon July 2; Salisbury steak and Fourth of July cake, 5:30 p.m. July 3; and fish with birthday cake for dessert, noon July 5.Gentle Yoga meets at 1 p.m. Wednesdays (call 406-253-0177).A Taiji exercise program continues at 1 p.m. Mondays. Call teacher Kory Gunderson for more information at 406-361-0304.Our Senior Center is open to people renting it. If you are interested, please call 406-745-4462 and leave a message. Also, there are free puzzles and books on table in entryway for the taking.
Ayden Luper
Ayden Willie Luper of Polson peacefully entered his eternal home on June 15, 2024, after a courageous four-year battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma. He passed as he lived, surrounded by family and friends while loving and praising Jesus. Ayden was born Feb. 2, 2007.Ayden just finished his Junior year at Mission Valley Christian Academy, where he loved playing soccer and basketball. He enjoyed playing on the lake and laughing with family and friends.He was very passionate about serving others in the name of Jesus, from third world countries to his own back yard. His prayer and deepest desire was for everyone...
Ronan Seniors: Birthday dinner served June 28
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.Birthday Dinner, served Friday, June 28, includes roast beef, salad and dessert. Other main dishes include turkey and noodles, July 1 and brunch, July 3.The center is closed July 5 in honor of Independence Day. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday.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.
Thrift-store theft leads to multiple drug charges
A Big Arm man is accused of possessing multiple drugs, being charged as such, and then missing court appearances on those charges. Randal Joseph Grant, 47, entered a plea of not guilty in Polson District Court June 20 to three separate counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs and bail jumping, all felonies.According to court records, on Dec. 5, 2021, Polson Police responded to a report of two men in an orange Dodge Charger stealing bags of donated items from the donation box at a thrift store in Polson. The responding officer located the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic...
Marriages & Divorces
The following marriages and divorces were recently recorded at the Lake County Courthouse:MARRIAGES: Annemarie Lombardi and Matthew Mauland, April 4; Jesse Vargas and Loni Havlovick, April 18; Douglas Trigg and Cortnie Ellenwood, April 20; Clayton Smith and Angela Rice, May 4; Amanda Eike and Joshua Miller, May 11; Brandon Bissegger and Jessica Alexander, May 12; Hannah O’Connell and Chase Jorgenson, May 22; Samuel Witter and Emily Peterson, May 24; Dalton Hall and Karlie Haynes, May 24; Aitana Paxson and Skyler Stanley, May 25; and Amanda Nelson and Joseph Allan, May 30. DIVORCES: Charles Webb Jr. of Ronan and Sylvia Webb, May 1; Grayson Roan of Robb, Alberta, and Amanda Roan (Joe restored) of Arlee, May 1; Ted Coffman, Deer Lodge, and Amy Coffman (Lankford restored) of Ronan, May 2; Bryan Vasquez of Polson and Jasmin Vasquez (Fejerang restored) of Polson, May 13; Jeffrey Devlin of Polson and Grace Devlin, May 13; Camerron Dolence of Bismarck, N.D., and Kandice Repnak of Ronan, May 16; Michael Crocket of Polson and Kayla Fowler of Polson, May 16; John Romansky of Lakeside and Emily Czoch of Denver, Colo., May 20; and Zachary Cantlon of Charlo and Jessica Cantlon of Charlo, May 20.
Mission Valley Calendar
Mission Mountain Rodeo – 6 p.m. June 28-29 at the Polson Fairgrounds; the rodeo kicks off with youth events, including mutton bustin’ and mini bull riding, followed by Norther Rodeo Association action at 7 p.m. featuring bareback, steer wrestling, saddle bronc, team roping, tie-down roping and barrel racing and bull riding. Live music follows Friday’s rodeo. Call 406-883-1100.Arlee Celebration: In Honor of Our Elders Past and Present – July 1-7 at the Powwow Grounds in Arlee; traditional dancer, drums and vendors are part of the 124th gathering of the Salish people, with Grand Entries at 7 p.m. Thursday, 1 and 7...
Hospital shift: St. Joseph COO moves to St. Luke
Devin Huntley, chief operating officer at St. Joseph Medical Center, steps into the same role 14 miles south on July 15.“I can’t wait to get down there and get after it,” said Huntley Tuesday. While it’s a different healthcare setting, it’s also very familiar – in part because of his close friendship with St. Luke Community Healthcare CEO Steve Todd.The two have been friends and colleagues for more than 15 years, dating back to Huntley’s tenure at Community Medical Center in Missoula, where he also served as COO. They also play hockey on the same team, traveling to Missoula each...
The Big Bang: Fireworks allowed, but only through July 5
Next Wednesday is the Fourth of July, a time when most Americans celebrate the Declaration of Independence, which was signed July 4, 1776. People enjoy picnics, parades, family get-togethers, the Arlee Powwow and fireworks.Kids all over Lake County are waiting for darkness to come so they can light off sparklers and smoke bombs, and their parents can decorate the night sky with fountains, stars and flowers.Not everyone loves fireworks though, including small children, traumatized veterans, and most animals, including birds, dogs, cats, horses and cows, who don’t know what all the sizzling, popping and booming is about. Lake County’s three incorporated...
Elsie R. Gierke-Locke, 91
Elsie Rebekah Holmes Gierke-Locke, 91, died peacefully at home in Polson of natural causes.Elsie was the youngest of five siblings (Charles, Evelyn, Ethel, John and Elsie) of Louis and Susan (Watkins) Holmes from Belt. She was raised on a ranch in Brigman Coulee where you could find her on her horses, Sandy or Watcheye.Elsie graduated from Belt Valley High School in 1949 and later graduated from University of Montana Eastern College of Education with a diploma in 1951. Elsie attended summer school for multiple years at Northern Montana College in Havre, and continued teaching during the school year until she...
Outdoor Briefs: Leopard frogs & mystery snails
Leopard frog reintroduction earns awardThe CSKT Wildlife Management Program has recently been awarded the Unsung Hero Award by the Northwest Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation in recognition of the Tribe’s efforts to restore populations of northern leopard frogs on the Flathead Indian Reservation.This work began in 2003 with partners (including Blackfeet Reservation, Fort Belknap Reservation, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and the Wildlife Conservation Society) collecting and translocating egg masses. They’ve continued to monitor overwinter survival, the presence of adult frogs, and the first naturally produced egg masses on the Flathead Reservation.Finley Point home to mystery snailsIt might seem...
Lady Pirates win two, lose two at G-Funk Throwdown
Lady Pirates fall to MissoulaThe Lady Pirates were defeated by the Missoula Avalanche 10-0 in their final game at the G-Funk Throwdown in Great Falls on Sunday, June 16. Polson was held to one hit in the loss while committing six errors.Opal Nash had Polson’s lone hit. The Avalanche had Mission’s Izzy Evans in the circle pitching.Polson is 4-4 on the season.At Great FallsAVALANCHE 10, LADY PIRATES 0Polson - 000 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 6Missoula - 118 - x - 10 - 6 - 1POLSON PITCHING: Sam Rensvold and Opal Nash.POLSON PITCHING: Mckenna Hanson 0-2, Rensvold 0-2,...
Polson Seniors: A more perfect Union
The great American Experience is still in the works, ever since 1776. We’re still working toward a more perfect Union, dedicated to the proposition that all men and women are created equal.Fire season is here. Be careful with those fireworks. Your neighbors are depending on you.Our fiscal year is coming to an end next month. We hope to set a record for membership this year. Thanks go out to all you fine folks for your support. Our volunteers are the best!Activities at the Polson center, open to all, include: wood carving for beginners, 1 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, join any...
Mary Janet Vail, 91
Mary Janet Swanson Vail of Polson, on Sunday, June 16, 2024, slipped peacefully into the loving arms of her Heavenly Father at the age of 91.She was born Dec. 15, 1932, on a snowy day to Frank and Rachel Swanson at Mason County General Hospital in Shelton, Wash. Janet graduated from Irene S. Reed High School in Shelton with many of the same students she had attended school all her life. Life in a small logging town was fun and at 5 years of age she insisted that she wanted to take piano lessons which started her musical career which...
Following in Joe McDonald's footsteps
I appreciated very much the press coverage of the Fort Connah honoring of my cousin/brother Joe McDonald (Leader, June 20).I regret that I was unable to attend the honoring as age-related health problems precluded me from attending.Joe was a very humble man who rarely spoke, if ever, of his own accomplishments. Joe never spoke of his life and legacy. He was a man of integrity, honesty, and love.I think it is important to follow in Joe’s footsteps in both the Indian and in non-Indian communities as a people of diversity and inclusion.Joe and I were the last generation of our great-grandfather Angus McDonald. Angus was born in the Highlands of Scotlands in 1816. He came to this country in1838 and died in1889.He was historically important not only in Montana but also to the entire Northwest. – Wyman J. McDonaldRonan
Polson Postmaster reflects on Fourth values
As Postmaster of the Polson Post Office I am writing to express the unwavering commitment of our postal staff to serving our wonderful communities. With the Fourth of July approaching, a time when we celebrate our nation's independence and the freedoms we cherish, it is also a fitting moment to reflect on the values that bind us together.The Postal Service has been an integral part of American life for centuries, connecting people across vast distances, facilitating communication and commerce. My team and I take immense pride in continuing this tradition. Our dedication goes beyond simply delivering mail and packages; it...
David Franz, 71
David A. Franz – a beloved son, brother, husband, father and friend to so many he met – died peacefully surrounded by his family at his home overlooking Flathead Lake on May 10, 2024. David’s death followed a brief illness. He was 71 years old.David was born in Bergen County, N.J., in 1952, the first son of Kenneth and Edna Franz. He was followed by three brothers, Gordon, Jonathan and Timothy.Inspired by Boy Scout trips and family vacations, David was fascinated by the West at an early age and decided to move that way in his early 20s. He initially...
Leader stacks up 19 statewide newspaper awards
The Lake County Leader raked in 19 awards at the Montana Newspaper Association’s 139th annual convention and awards banquet, held Saturday in Kalispell – including 10 first place awards in Division I for writing, layout and photography.“The beauty of community newspapers is that we can’t do what we do without the community, who support us in so many ways, from subscribing, to advertising, to story ideas, to taking terrific photos of local sporting events,” said editor Kristi Niemeyer.She noted that the crop of awards included recognition for former Leader editor and sports writer Dixie Knutson, who was coaxed out of...
Legals for June, 26 2024
Notice of Hearing on Name Change Montana 20th Judicial District Court or Lake County, Montana. Cause No.: DV-24-102 Dept No.: 2001 In the Matter of the Name Change of Mary Laud Westerman, Mary Laud Westerman, Petitioner, This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Mary Laud Westerman to Mary Thelma Laud The hearing will be on 07/18/2024 at 10:00 am The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Lake County, /S/ May 23rd, 2024 by Debera Young, Deputy Clerk of Court. PUBLISHED JUNE 6TH, 13TH, 20TH AND 27TH, 2024 MNAXLP __________________________ NOTICE The Montana Department of Revenue,...
Library hosts boat-building extravaganza
Young boat builders assembled at Sacajawea Park in Polson last Thursday for the North Lake County Library’s annual boat-building challenge.Each participant received a kit containing a sheet of foil, a sheet of wax paper, eight popsicle sticks, five straws, two rubber bands and one foot of tape.Their creations were placed in an inflated swimming pool, where the library’s summer assistant Sara Brookman, a teacher at Mission Valley Christian Academy, weighted boats with nickels until they sunk.“The boat that held the most weight was made by a young boy named Robert, and it held 115 nickels,” said Felicia Gill, youth services...
Dee Ann Hogge Crofoot, 76
Dee Ann Hogge Crofoot, 76, of Salmon, Idaho, passed away peacefully in the presence of family June 17, 2024, in Rexburg. Dee Ann was born on Mother’s Day, May 9, 1948, in St. Ignatius to Robert and Elizabeth Hogge during a late spring snowstorm. She was the third of five children.At a very young age she learned to work hard. She and her sisters had to run the dairy when their father was in a severe car wreck. Life wasn’t all work – she loved her time with her cousins and caused a lot of mischief (their ideas of course). She...
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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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