01-05-22 issue by Valley Journal

$1.25

your homegrown newspaper

Vol. 18, No. 16

January 5, 2022

Winter safety pg. 6

CSKT Documentary pg. 7

New Year

PLUNGE!

New Year’s Day revelers charge into the icy waters of Flathead Lake in celebration of the new year. By Rob Zolman Valley Journal

Game faces pg. 14

POLSON — Temperatures weren’t the only thing taking a plunge on New Year’s Day. On Saturday afternoon,

a few more than 50 spirited chill seekers made an icy plunge into Flathead Lake’s frigid waters, making a big splash into the 2022 New Year during the Polson Polar Plunge. In its 24th season, the

ice-cold informal event held along the snow-covered boat launch ramp and shoreline of Polson’s Riverside Park has become a widely anticipated New Year’s Day ritual that returning plungers

w w w.va l le yj our na l.net

look forward to each year. “It’s a refreshing way to start the new year,” said Polson Polar Plunge veteran of 12-years, David Almon. “It’s kind of a crazy and fun thing to do to start the year off.”

ROB ZOLMAN / VALLEY JOURNAL

For others, the frosty plunge is a chance to experience something different. “Now this is off the list,” one participant said see page 2

polar plunge from page 1

as they shivered toward dry clothes and a warm towel. While the bone-chilling 35-degree waters of Flathead Lake were significantly warmer than the 11-degree air temperature, the facial expressions and tortured screams of the plungers who dunked their heads under the water and quickly retreated

2 - January 5, 2022

right back to shore told a totally different story. “As long as you do it fast, it’s not so bad,” said JT Gervais through chattering teeth. Once on shore, participants received high-fives and hugs from friends and family. They quickly dried off, took keepsake selfies and rushed to the warmth of their vehicles. Monica Gallegos, a 16-year plunge veteran who finds the yearly brisk lake bath an invigorating way to start the

new year, tried to recruit a group of friends to join her at this year’s event. “Normally, I do this with a few friends,” said Gallegos. “But I couldn’t convince anyone this year to join me because of the weather.” Event instigator Dave Bull noted that while the weather was much colder than the previous two Polson Polar Plunge events it wasn’t the coldest on record in plunge history.

Valley Journal

briefs

Registration opens for middle school online mathematics contest

News from MSU News Service

BOZEMAN — Middle school students from across the state of Montana are invited to register for a free online mathematics contest set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20. The American Mathematics Competition 8 contest is part of the American Mathematics Competition series developed by the Mathematical Association of America. The contest is designed to provide an opportunity for middle school students to develop positive attitudes toward analytical thinking and mathematics that can assist in future careers. Students apply classroom skills to unique problem-solving challenges in a low-stress and friendly environment. The contest is hosted each year by Montana State University’s Science Math Resource Center in the College of Education, Health and Human Development. The material on the 25-question, 40-minute test includes topics from a typical middle school mathematics curriculum. Students up through eighth grade and under 14 1/2 years old on the day of the competition are eligible to participate. Registration is free and open until spots are filled. The Science Math

Resource Center will award gift cards to the top three finishers. To help students prepare for the contest, the Science Math Resource Center will provide an optional online workshop on the morning of Saturday, Jan. 8. The deadline to register for the contest is Saturday, Jan. 15.

STEM kit available for checkout News from the North Lake County Public Library

POLSON — Mondays mean Mother Goose at North Lake County Public Library Join us at 9:15 a.m. Mother Goose is geared toward ages 0-3 years old, but all are welcome. We encourage parents and caregivers to participate with their children for this early learning time. The doors open at 9 a.m. We will practice social distancing. Face masks are recommended but not required. The library has a Starry Sky Project STEM Kit available for checkout. The Montana Learning Center in Helena is launching the statewide Starry Sky Survey Project, which is part of a larger effort to track light pollution globally. Anyone 18 or older with a library card in good standing can check out the kit, take measurements, and upload findings to the international database “Globe at Night.”

With more than 35 years of trusted experience,

Carolyn Cole, Jason Reese & Mann Mortgage can help you with ALL loan types. Our unmatched access to multiple lenders ensures you the lowest rate and saves you thousands on the life of your loan. NMLS202131 NMLS438393 Mann Mortgage LLC NMLS 2550 MTL#270418/#105/#801

Find us directly across from Flathead Lake 50125 US Hwy 93, Polson, MT carolyn.cole@mannmortgage.com jason.reese@mannmortgage.com

(406) 883-1445

This Week’s Weather Forecast Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

January 6

January 7

January 8

January 9

January 10

18°/8°

22°/21°

36°/29°

33°/21°

29°/19°

29°/23°

Snow 0% chance precipitation

Snow 32% chance precipitation

Rain/Snow 40% chance precipitation

Mostly Cloudy 24% chance precipitation

Partly Cloudy 5% chance precipitation

Wednesday

Thursday

January 5

Tuesday January 11

Partly Cloudy 15% chance precipitation

32/25°

Partly Cloudy 22% chance precipitation

Flathead Lake Level 2888.62 ft 8:24 am

4:59 pm

10:59 am

8:46 pm

01/06

8:24 am

5:00 pm

11:24 am

10:04 pm

FRI 01/07

8:24 am

5:01 pm

11:44 am

11:17 pm

WED 01/05 THUR

(4.38 ft below full pool)

Today in History January 5, 2021 High 43° F

SAT 01/08

8:23 am

5:02 pm

12:02 pm

none

SUN

8:24 am

5:04 pm

12:19 pm

12:27 am

Precipitation 0.0 inches

8:23 am

5:05 pm

12:36 pm

1:35 am

Record High 49° F

8:22 am

5:06 pm

12:56 pm

2:42 am

01/09

MON 01/10 TUES

01/11

Valley Journal

Low 30° F

Record Low -21 January 5, 2022 - 3

contents Winter road safety ........6

Puzzles........................16

‘Calling Our Warriors’....7

Seniors .......................18

Valley Views.................10

Obituaries....................19

Game Faces 2021.......14

Classifieds...................22

TAYLOR DAVISON / VALLEY JOURNAL

Black angus in snow-covered field

And find us online for

more photos, videos, breaking news and special sections!

www.valleyjournal.net

Boone Goddard

Summer Goddard

Advertising Sales, Owner (406) 249-1728 boone@valleyjournal.net

Publisher, Editor (406) 249-1793 summer@valleyjournal.net

Kathi Beeks Office Manager, Copy Editor (406) 676-8989 vjmail@valleyjournal.net news@valleyjournal.net

Taylor Davison

Jerry Beeks

Rob Zolman

Ben Stone

Editor (406) 439-1911 vjeditor@valleyjournal.net

Advertising Sales (406) 207-4641 jbeeks@ronan.net

Reporter, Production (406) 250-4828 sports@valleyjournal.net

Media Production (406) 676-8989 ben@valleyjournal.net

Valley Journal The Valley Journal newspaper (PE 23-190) is published weekly by Valley Journal LLC. Periodicals postage paid at Ronan, MT. Business hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Distribution is by mail subscription ($59 per year in Lake County, MT; $74 per year elsewhere in U.S.) and by newsstand sales. Postmaster: send address changes to Valley Journal, P.O. Box 326, Ronan, MT. 59864. Your homegrown newspaper serves residents of Lake 4 - January 5, 2022

2022 County and the Flathead Indian Reservation. Deadline for display advertising is 2 p.m.Thursday. Deadline for news submissions, calendar items, classifieds and legal advertising is noon Friday, for the following week’s newspaper. News, letters to the editor and calendar submissions may be sent by email to: vjeditor@valleyjournal.net. Classified and legal advertisements requests should be emailed to: vjmail@valleyjournal.net. All print subscriptions include full access to online news, Valley Journal

archives. Sign up online at: www.valleyjournal.net/ subscribe For general inquiries: call 406-676-8989, email summer@valleyjournal.net, or send mail correspondence to P.O. Box 326, Ronan, MT 59864. Copyright 2022, the Valley Journal. All rights reserved. Reproduction, reuse or transmittal in any form or by any means is prohibited without written permission of the Valley Journal.

New CSKT elected officials sworn in By Kristi Niemeyer for the Valley Journal

FLATHEAD RESERVATION – Members of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes convene Friday, Jan. 7, at tribal headquarters in Pablo for the quarterly meeting, which begins with the swearing in of a new slate of elected officials. The general election was held Dec. 18. With five council seats up for election, incumbents Shelly Fyant of Arlee and Charmel Gillin of Polson were each defeated by sizeable margins, while Len Twoteeth of Elmo and Carole Depoe Lankford of Ronan retained their posts. Election results, certified Dec. 22, show Fyant losing to former councilman Jim Malatare 476 to 939. Fyant had unseated Malatare in 2013 and was chosen to chair the council in 2020. She was elected in August to chair Montana’s State Tribal Economic Development Commission, and recently served on the Tribal Treaty Rights and Sacred Lands panel during the White House Tribal Nations Summit. Gillin, who joined the council in 2018, lost her seat to Jennifer Finley, a writer and former English teacher, 409 to 1,010. Lankford, who outpaced opponent Leonard Michel 1,118 to 311, begins her eighth term representing the Ronan District. A lifelong resident of the reservation, she was first elected to the

Tribal Council in 1993, and prior to that worked in Tribal Forestry, Fish and Game Conservation, and Tribal Administration. Twoteeth, who spent much of his career working in timber sales and land management for Tribal Forestry, bested Art Caye 1,153 to 276 to continue representing the Elmo District. Tom McDonald, who recently retired as manager of the CSKT Fish, Wildlife and Recreation Division, won a new atlarge position, outpacing Dan DePoe, 1,008 to 403. This marks the first of two new council seats (the second appears on the ballot in 2023) designed to increase representation for tribal members across the reservation. According to tribal officials, voter turnout increased by approximately 6% from the last general election held in 2017. Nearly 37% of eligible tribal members cast ballots for a total turnout of 1,434. The council consists of 10 members, each serving four-year terms. The next election will be held in 2023 for seats currently held by Anita Matt, Dixon; Ellie Bundy, St. Ignatius; Martin Charlo, Pablo; and James “Bing” Matt, Arlee. The post held by James Steele – who was appointed to represent St. Ignatius after Fred Matt resigned in 2021 – will appear on the ballot in four more years. The swearing-in ceremony will be live streamed via the Tribal Council’s Facebook page (@CSKTCouncil).

$28.5M to be split among 69 Montana airports Funding for Fiscal Year 2022 available for repairs, upgrades, expansion of Montana airports

News from the Office of Senator Jon Tester

MONTANA — Following the passage of his bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, U.S. Senator Jon Tester recently announced he secured $28,610,817 in Federal Aviation Administration Fiscal Year 2022 funding for 69 Montana airports as part of the law. “Montana’s airports are essential to keeping our state connected and our economy strong,” said Tester. “This funding from my bipartisan infrastructure package will ensure that our airports can make urgently needed repairs, continue to grow and support Montana travel, and create good paying jobs in the process.” Tester secured approximately $144 million for 69 Montana airports through his bipartisan infrastructure law, which will be awarded over five years through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Grants, which can be used to construct or repair runways

and taxiways as well as make terminal and gate improvements. Tester was the only member of Montana’s congressional delegation to vote for the legislation. Tester worked across the aisle for months to negotiate this agreement with a group of five Republicans, four Democrats, and the White House. Tester’s law is projected to create more than 800,000 American jobs and lower costs for businesses by making targeted investments that will strengthen our nation without raising taxes on working families. As a lead author of the bill, Tester made sure that the law does not raise taxes. He secured significant wins for Montana in the law, including $2.82 billion for Montana’s roads, highways and bridges; up to $100 million for the Milk River Project and $1 billion to complete all authorized rural water projects through the Bureau of Reclamation; $42.45 billion for broadband deployment to low-connectivity areas across the country; and $3.37 billion to reduce wildfire risk nationwide, among others. Tester also worked to ensure that all iron, steel, and construction materials used for these projects must be made in America. Area airports receiving funding are:

Airport Name

City

Total

Polson

$ 159,000

Ronan

$ 159,000

Plains

$ 110,000

CITY OF RONAN

POLICE COMMISSION VACANCY The City of Ronan is soliciting applications to fill a vacancy on the Ronan Police Commission. In order to apply, a person must be a registered voter (U.S. citizen, age 18 or over). No person is eligible for the position of Police Commissioner unless he/she has been a resident of the City of Ronan for at least sixty days. Application forms may be obtained at Ronan City Hall. We encourage eligible citizens to consider this opportunity to serve your community. Valley Journal

January 5, 2022 - 5

Caution urged on winter roads By Taylor Davison / Valley Journal

LAKE COUNTY — As new arrivals continue to move into Big Sky country from warmer climates, officials remind residents to be safe behind the wheel this winter. Lake County Sheriff Don Bell commented on some common issues he sees on the road. “The biggest thing I see is that people are in a hurry. When the roads are dry that’s probably okay, but in snow they need to leave earlier and get all the snow off their vehicles,” Bell commented. Getting up earlier and allowing ample time to get to a destination can prevent a lot of safety risks on icy roads. Cleaning off the hood of a car as well as the windows and lights can prevent snow from flying onto the windshield and refreezing during a drive. Drivers are also encour-

TAYLOR DAVISON / VALLEY JOURNAL

A shovel and cat litter can help get a car out of a ditch.

aged to pay attention to road conditions and visibility. Ice is often hard to see, so going slow and keeping enough space between other cars, as well as approaching turns and intersections with caution, does a lot to prevent collisions. The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) reminds

drivers to expect ice on bridges and in shady spots on any road. Another key factor Bell addressed was keeping winter survival gear in cars. Blankets, extra winter wear, and water are vital. If a car ends up off the road and the driver needs to shelter in their vehicle, these items can

help them stay warm and comfortable until help arrives. Winter tires with good tread and a shovel can help a driver get themselves out of off-road situations as well. MDT also reminds drivers to use caution around snowplows. Maintain a safe distance in case sand or de-icer is being spread behind the plow. Never attempt to pass a plow during a whiteout, and remember they move slower than highway speeds. Bell advised that if drivers can wait to get on the highway until after 9 a.m., when many plows have run their routes and the roads have been sanded, they should do so.“Slow down, be conscious of the conditions of the road, make sure your vehicle is winter ready,” Bell said in summary. (See related MDT winter driving checklist to right.)

Montana Department of Transportation Winter Driving Checklist 1. Allow extra time to get to your destination. 2. Clean off your car. Keep windows, mirrors and lights clear of snow and ice. 3. Turn off cruise control. 4. Always buckle up. 5. Slow down in poor visibility conditions. 6. Maintain a safe distance behind other vehicles. 7. Expect ice on bridges and in shady spots. 8. Don’t pass snowplows unless it’s absolutely necessary. 9. Prepare your vehicle for winter driving at the start of the season. 10. Check to be sure all four tires are in good condition. 11. Don’t wait until the last minute to get snow tires mounted. 12. Keep an emergency travel kit in your car.

Anglers, others encouraged to practice ice recreation safety News from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

HELENA — It’s that time of year when ice anglers and other recreationists head out to Montana’s “hard” waters for the winter season. Whether ice fishing, ice skating, hunting, snowmobiling or just taking a walk, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks staff reminds recreationists that safety should be the number one concern during a day out on (or near) the ice. When on the ice, remember: Anglers and other recreationists should be familiar with the water body they plan to fish or recreate on. Pay 6 - January 5, 2022

close attention to the changing conditions of the ice. If you have even the slightest doubt about the safety of the ice—stay off it. Nothing is ever worth a fall into frigid water. Blue or “clear” ice is usually hard. Watch out for opaque, gray, dark or porous spots in the ice that could be weak, soft areas. Ice also tends to thin more quickly at the shorelines. Note areas on the ice that look “different” —they usually are. Many times, thinner areas of ice (caused by springs, gas pockets, sunken islands, points, etc.) have a different color or look to them.

Use extreme caution or stay away from these areas. The following are recommended minimum ice thickness guidelines (for good, clear ice*): - Under 4 inches: STAY OFF - 4 inches: ice fishing or other activities on foot - 7 inches: snowmobile or ATV - 10 inches: small car** - 12 inches: truck or SUV** *for white ice or “snow ice,” double the above minimums **not recommended, but if you must, proceed at your own risk. Watch for pressure ridges. These are

Valley Journal

areas of open water or thin ice where the ice has cracked and heaved due to expansion from freezing. Test the ice ahead of you with an ice spud bar or an auger. Don’t leave children unsupervised on the ice. Lakes and ponds do not freeze at the same thickness all over. Some ponds have windmills to aerate water for fish survival, and ice may be thin near these areas. Moving water — rivers, streams, and springs — weaken ice by wearing it away from underneath. Avoid going on

see page 7

‘Calling Our Warriors’ documentary released By Kristi Niemeyer for the Valley Journal

FLATHEAD RESERVATION — Michelle Mitchell, head of the CSKT Tribal Education Department, says her own battle with COVID-19 inspired her to make the powerful new documentary, “Calling Our Warriors.” “The idea came at a time when, after doing everything I could to keep myself and my close family safe, we tested positive with breakthrough cases,” says Mitchell. “I ended up with the worst of it.” She was very ill for six weeks and continues to monitor her oxygen levels daily while periodically “tethered to an oxygen machine.” As yet another wave of the pandemic washes across the United States, fueled by the new Omicron variant, the virus first identified two years ago in China continues to claim lives and compromise people’s health and future. On Jan. 3, the Montana Department of Health and Human Services COVID tracker posted 815 new cases, compared to 264 on Dec. 30. In Lake County, where new cases had dropped off significantly since early November, numbers are on the rise again, from just a handful early last week to 22 new

Ice safety urged from page 6

ice on rivers and streams, or where a river or stream enters a lake, pond, or reservoir. The least safe ice usually occurs early and late in the season, when the weather is warmer and less predictable. Remember, no ice is 100 percent safe.

NOTICE Notice to Public of Proposed Rate Increase for Public Comment

Members of CSKT stand together to fight COVID-19.

cases New Year’s Eve. So far, COVID has claimed 90 lives in Lake County, and as the documentary points out, more than a third of those (35 people) are tribal members. The 14-minute film, co-produced by Shadow Devereaux with direction, videography and editing support from Colter Olmstead, features several members of the Salish and Kootenai community discussing their firsthand encounters with the virus. The documentary aims to com-

Some other common ice-safety reminders to keep in mind include: Search for videos on ice safety and “what to do” if you should fall through the ice. Consider changes in the weather (and ice conditions) during the prior 24 hours. It’s a good idea to wear a life jacket (PFD) or carry a throwable floata-

TAYLOR BARRETT / CSKT

bat an increasingly lax attitude about COVID by sharing stories of those whose lives have been altered by it, and encouraging viewers to act as modern-day warriors by getting vaccinated, masking and practicing social distancing. “Our people have always been warriors,” begins the film. “They shielded and protected us when danger was present. Today we face an invisible threat … we need to be warriors again.” For the message to have an see page 8

tion device while out on the ice — safe ice anglers and recreationists do it all the time. Dress warm but practical. Many styles of ice fishing jackets and bibs provide extra buoyancy to help keep you afloat if you do fall through. Before you leave the house, tell someone where you plan to go and when you plan to return.

Carry a pair of ice picks (long spikes on a heavy string around your neck). If you break through the ice, you can use the spikes to grip the ice and pull yourself out of the water. FWP wishes all anglers and recreationists a safe, adventurous, and successful season.

Valley Journal

Mission Valley Power (MVP) has maintained low and stable rates for many years. Our residential rate is the lowest in the state. Each year MVP managers and the Utility Board prepare the operating budget. Measures are taken to ensure cost allocations remain fair to all customers and operational money savings techniques are utilized. The cost of doing business has made it necessary to incorporate a rate increase. The proposed rate change will move our customers to a tiered rate schedule. Each tier will be charged a different KWH charge. Some customers will receive an increase and others may see a decrease, depending on the monthly KWH usage. Public input is welcome on the proposed increase. Mission Valley Power believes many of its customers have confidence that we are fair and diligent in our work practices. MVP will continue to provide reliable electrical power service to its customers with sound business principles. Public meetings will be held at the Pablo Office conference room: Monday, January 10, from 6pm to 8pm Tuesday, January 11, from 6pm to 8pm Wednesday, January 12, from 1pm to 3pm Complete copies of the proposed rate structure are available upon request, or you can pick up a copy at the MVP office. Oral comments may be made at the above location and should be limited to three (3) minutes. Written comments may be sent to Consumer Council Chair, Mark Warner, PO Box 97, Pablo, MT 59855. Comments must be received no later than January 21, 2022. January 5, 2022 - 7

The Chamber Board would like to thank all the local organizations and individuals who supported this year’s Parade of Lights, including: • Anderson Broadcasting • Alpine Designs • Glacier Bank • The Gauthier Agency • BJ & Jami Schall and family • Lake County Search and Rescue • Ronan Police Department • Ronan Volunteer Fire Department • Ronan Public Works Department • Eagle Bank • Valley Bank of Ronan • Kate Olson • Miracle of America Museum • Gerry & Marlena Burden • Bob Bell • Charlo Junior Stockgrowers 4-H • Round Butte Future Stockmen 4-H Club • Cheff Guest Ranch • Wadsworth Family • Mission Valley Lights Under the Big Sky • St Luke Community Healthcare • Ronan Auto Body Sales & Service, Inc. • Treasure State Concrete, Inc.

TAYLOR BARRETT/CSKT

Screen shot of Vernon Finley: Former Tribal Council Chairman Vernon Finley views COVID vaccinations as “an important tool I don’t believe my ancestors would turn away from.”

Calling Our Warriors from page 7

impact, its creators sought tribal members who were willing to share their stories. “Stories are how we relate to each other,” says Mitchell. “We need to make it so it’s no longer a them, it’s an us.” The resulting interviews offer a riveting portrayal of how COVID has ruined lives, ravaged families, and isolated elders within the close-knit tribal community. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve had to deal with,” says young Victoria White of losing her beloved “ya-ya” (grandmother) last November. “I didn’t want to be on those machines, and I didn’t want someone I love to be on those machines.” Former Tribal Chairman Vernon Finley, 8 - January 5, 2022

whose lungs are permanently scarred from COVID-induced pneumonia, says his first symptoms were flulike, and he appeared to be recovering until the virus “came back with a vengeance.” Lucinda Michel, who helped organize banquets for a living, says her first encounter with COVID was rough, but she recovered. The second round, which hit before vaccines were available, almost killed her. “I couldn’t walk. My legs were so swollen my son, who was 8 at the time, pushed me to the hospital in a wheelchair,” she recalls. Michel was transferred to Missoula with end-stage renal failure and now, over a year later, is on dialysis four hours a day, three times a week, and can barely walk. “I used to take care of

my mom and now my mom takes care of me,” she says. “I have three kids who take care of me and I’m unable to provide for them like I used to. It’s a big difference from where I was a year ago.” Bud Collicott, an assistant manager at Western Building Center, is young, healthy and has no underlying health conditions. He was unvaccinated when he caught COVID and wound up in the hospital. “It really messed me up,” he says. “When you’re in the hospital, you can’t see your family, these guys are coming in in suits, you’re so isolated. It just changes your whole perspective.” After two years of battling the virus, Dr. Michael “Cubby” Pierre, a tribal member and ER doctor at Community Medical Center in

Sorry if we missed anyone, we can’t tell you how much we appreciated the turnout for this event!

see page 21

Valley Journal

Thank you!

Federal judge: At least two PSC districts are ‘presumptively unconstitutional’ News from Montana Free Press

MONTANA FREE PRESS GRAPHIC

tiffs — Gallatin County resident Hailey Sinoff, former Republican Gallatin County Commissioner Don Seifert, and Bob Brown, a Re-

Pet o f

Meet. . . Jasper

publican who served as secretary of state from 2001 to 2004 — argue that some Montana voters are disproportionately represented based

on the district in which they live. The ruling favors the plaintiffs, who sued Republican Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen

the w eek

N E W S PA P E R

A S S O C I AT I O N

JOIN MONTANA’S EFFECTIVE Statewide Online Advertising Program (SOAP)

250,000 IMPRESSIONS FOR $1,499

contact

or visit our Facebook page!

see page 20

Meet Jasper, he is just over a year old. He is a very loving boy who is great with people and cats.

Mission Valley Animal Shelter call 883-5312

earlier this month, arguing that the current district map violates the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. “Temporarily restrain-

PARTICIPATING NEWSPAPERS

HELENA — A federal judge issued an order on Dec. 22 blocking the state’s top election official from certifying candidates running for the Public Service Commission until the constitutionality of the commission’s district map has been evaluated. The Public Service Commission regulates companies that provide energy, garbage, and water service to a captive customer base. At issue is whether the map that describes the boundaries of the PSC’s five elected district seats should be updated to reflect population growth in the state. In a Dec. 6 filing with the U.S. District Court of the District of Montana, the plain-

ing the candidate certification process sends a message to prospective candidates and the public that the current process is under review to ensure an orderly election in the future,” Judge Donald Molloy wrote in the order. Molloy said the public has a “strong interest in ‘equal voting strength for each voter’” and that prospective candidates will also be served by the restraining order because they will have as much time as possible to evaluate their campaigns. Molloy noted that at least two of the commission’s five districts are “presumptively unconstitutional” because “they appear to dilute or concentrate certain

Jasper Sponsored by

Bishop Insurance Polson: 302 1st St. W. Ste. 102 • 883-5372 Ronan: 209 Main Street SW • 676-5300

bishopinsurance.com

CALL: 406.443.2850 DETAILS: mtnewspapers.com Valley Journal

January 5, 2022 - 9

valley views A walk through impermanence R

ecently a friend of mine told me about a principle she’d learned from a Buddhist: everything is transient. I may not be Buddhist myself, but the concept intrigued me. It touches on something we all know but do a wonderful job of keeping out of our day-to-day thoughts. The impermanence in life. Now, this idea can be approached in a nihilistic way, talking in large strokes about unavoidable death and the pointlessness of doing things. But rather than inspiring

futility and uncaring, this philosophy could help us adjust to the inevitable change we’ll see not just in the world, but within us throughout our lifetimes. Everything is transient, so why are we so hard on ourselves? We can hold on so hard to the idea that “what is” means “what has always been and always will be.” We can

A Taylor’d Approach

avoid the idea of change in ourselves so much that when the impermanence of existing rears its head it can be devastating, even if what has Taylor Davison, occurred Valley Journal Editor isn’t really a tragedy. Maybe you changed careers. Maybe you gained weight. Maybe you aged. Nothing in life is permanent, and yet when

The silence of the comms A

ttorney General Austin Knudsen recently spoke to a meeting of health care workers and community members in Sidney, where some employees of the Sidney Health Center were protesting the hospital’s intention to comply with a federal vaccine mandate for health care providers that receive Medicaid and Medicare funding. What did Knudsen say at the meeting? We don’t know, because photos and recordings of the meeting were prohibited, and only Sidney Health Center employees were allowed to talk 10 - January 5, 2022

CEO Mike Lindell, to the speakers, one of also cited Cantrell. And whom was Knudsen. again, Knudsen’s press Knudsen’s spokesperson, Emilee Cantrell, told secretary was not forthMTFP reporter Mara coming with information Silvers prior to the meet- about what happened ing that she did not have at that meeting, including whether any prepared Knudsen himremarks to provide. self met with John S. Adams Editor in Chief, Lindell, a pedCantrell Montana Free Press dler of false also said she claims that the wouldn’t record Knudsen’s address, 2020 election was rigged. which was delivered via Cantrell is among dozens of taxpayer-fundZoom. ed public information Alex Sakariassen’s investigative report, officials whose job is to supply the press — and about a Nov. 10 meetthus the public — with ing between Knudsen’s information about what staff and election conour elected officials are spiracist and MyPillow

Valley View

the visions of ourselves we hold in our heads undergo an external change, we can be brutal. As though the very essence of who we are has been challenged, we can feel angry, upset, even betrayed. And yet such change is inevitable. If we all went through life bearing this in mind, we might be more ready to adapt when the time comes. We might be ready to embrace our evolving forms and roles and remain optimistic about the future. We might stop thinking

we’ve already “peaked” and reevaluate our priorities. We might even find we’re atop a new peak, maybe as a friend, as an athlete, as a community member, as a knitter, as whatever it is we truly value in the here and now rather than in a past life. So, if you’ve been hard on yourself this year, take your own criticism with a grain of salt. You can always continue striving for self-improvement, but allow yourself some time to appreciate the impermanence of where you are right now as well. Buy bigger pants without

up to. In her case, she gets paid $35.78 an hour, or $74,422 a year, to do that job. Her boss, the attorney general’s Communications Director Kyler Nerison, pulls in a six-figure government salary, earning $49.29 per hour, or $102,523 a year. Increasingly, these well-paid government officials are blowing off news reporters. In this story from July about state guidance on a law that bars Montana agencies and businesses from requiring vaccines, a spokesperson for the Department of Labor and Industry didn’t’ respond

to Alex’s request for comment on what vaccination incentives might be considered illegally coercive. The department pays public information officer Jessica Nelson $29 an hour, or $60,320 a year. Her boss, Director of Strategic Communications and Data John Elizandro, earns $51.88 an hour, or $107,910 a year. Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen rarely talks to the press, and her office regularly declines to comment to reporters. Like in this story, about a class-action lawsuit alleging that the secretary

Valley Journal

see page 11

dread, and try to lean into your new role in life with enthusiasm, even if it isn’t something you’re looking forward to. After all, the valleys in our lives are impermanent as well. There will always be another peak waiting.

LETTER POLICY Letters to the editor are welcome. The content is the opinion of the letter writer and not the newspaper. The decision to publish letters is made by the editor. Letters must be 350 words or less. A writer will only be published twice per month. Letters may be edited for content or length, or may not be published if considered libelous, in poor taste, spiteful, self-promotional or of limited interest to the general readership. Space limitations also dictate when or if letters are published. Letters must be signed by the author and name, address and phone number must be included – phone number is for verification purposes only. Letters from organizations must include the name of at least one author. Please limit “thank you” letters to four people/organizations or less. Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday to publish the following week. Opinions expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the newspaper.

silence of the comms from page 10

of state’s office wrongfully retained $120,000 in duplicate filing fee charges paid by Montana businesses in 2020. Jacobsen spokesperson Richie Melby, who didn’t respond to Alex’s email seeking comment, earns a taxpayer-funded salary of $39 an hour, or $81,120 a year. And it’s not just elected state officials who make a habit of avoiding the press. In this story, about the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Montana’s sole representative, Matt Rosendale, refused to comment on the siege. His then-communications director, Harry Fones, didn’t respond to emails seeking comment. Fones was paid $51,916.67 between Jan. 3 and June 30. Taxpayer dollars fund generous salaries to these officials, whose job is to inform the public about where elected officials stand on important issues, what actions they’re taking in office, who they’re meeting with, and how they go about representing their constituents. This lack of government transparency makes reporters’ work more challenging, but it doesn’t mean we’ll stop doing it. Because reporting where elected officials stand on important issues, what actions they’re taking in office, who they’re meeting with, and how they represent their constituents is our job, too.

The ABCs of making ’22 your best ’22 T

urning the calendar breathe - in and then out. over to a new year is If you have to take it one often a time of reflection, breath at a time, you are not only to look backward still breathing, and that’s but also to look ahead. something. What can happen to make Compassion builds the future bigbridges while ger and brightindifference er? tears them Jill Pertler The past down. Build Syndicated columnist year has been bridges. overflowing Don’t take with lessons things for for my life. It’s been a year granted. It puts you on auof change and challengtopilot. Do pay attention. es, struggles and success. It puts you in line to see Simply put, I’ve learned a the beauty that surrounds lot - about myself and the and encompasses you. world. Don’t compare yourself to I like to play with words anyone else. Comparisons and decided it might be minimize your uniqueness. fun to put together an Do be authentically and ABC guide encompassing unapologetically you. some of the eurekas I’ve Endings often have to experienced that might happen for beginnings to help create a bigger and occur. better 2022 for us all. Fulfillment comes from Some of the things 2021 within. The world we live taught me: in is a beautiful and abunAllow yourself grace dant place. We may be when you make a mistake. fortunate enough to have Allow others the same loving friends and family in grace when they mess up. abundance, but we can’t be Appreciate everything else. truly fulfilled by the things Breathe. When the day around us, not even people. is long and the road seems That particular abundance steep, take a break and just must come from a place

Slices of Life

deep inside. Gratitude can serve as the instigator to a joyful outlook. Growth can germinate from the most dire of circumstances. Give more than you receive. Hit it out of the park. If you’re satisfied with a base hit, you’ll never achieve a home run. If a door closes, a window may not open. A whole world might open. Don’t limit your possibilities Joy is one of the best three letter words ever invented. Practice joy. Allow joy, even if you can only fathom it in the smallest of increments. Kindness can change the world. We need more kindness because we need to change the world. Life can be hard, but it can also be joyous. It’s also meant to be fun. Sometimes it’s all three. Miracles are often in the eye of the beholder. Be a beholder. Now is the most important time ever. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is not yet here. Be present in the

moment; pay attention to the now. Open your heart and open your mind. None of us knows the answers to all the questions. Live life with an open outlook, especially and most importantly toward those whose outlook differs from yours. Perspective can literally change your world. You (and only you) get to choose your perspective. Quit taking life so seriously. This is supposed to be fun. Practice fun. Rest when you need to. Radiate joy and love outward whenever you can. See things as they really are and trust in your gut. The sun shines brightly every day, even when clouds attempt to block our view. Trust is incompatible with worry and fear. Trust in yourself. Trust in the universe. Trust in life. Unconditional love is one of the greatest gifts we can give one another and ourselves. Try to love unconditionally, without outcomes. see page 12

WE ARE OPEN! Wednesday- Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. See our full menu at

mackenzieriverpizza.com/menu/polson

Call us at

406-872-2100 Valley Journal

January 5, 2022 - 11

Tester names top seven 2021 accomplishments

1. The signing of my bipartisan infrastructure package into law. My top highlight is the bipartisan infrastructure package, which delivers urgently-needed investments to Montana that will support our small businesses, lower costs for working families, and grow our economy—all without raising taxes on Montana families.

2. Combatting consolidation and boosting competition in the Ag industry. To level the playing field and increase market transparency—bills like From the Office of Senator Tester our American Beef Labeling Act, our Meatpacking Special Investigator Act, our New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act, one on spot pricing, and recent legislation to suspend foreign

Valley Views

Best 2022

from page 11

Value what you have over what you want. Value the relationships that ring true in your life, whether they have withstood the test of time or whether they are in their infancy. Worry less. What’s the worst thing that could happen? When I ask myself this question, I realize things probably aren’t so bad. We is always more important than me. You are important. You are worthwhile. You matter. Because X and Z are challenging

imports that threaten our markets were created. 3. Securing disaster relief for Montana producers facing historic moisture and drought. Producers and Montana farmers and ranchers got assistance directly with programs like the Livestock Forage Program, the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program, and the Conservation Reserve Program. 4. Passing the American Rescue Plan.

letters, I followed my advice under “A” and gave myself grace to skip over them. I also couldn’t whittle “W” down to just one, so included two, which seems appropriate since it is a double-U. I hope you find this list useful. If one of my observations meets your needs, I’ve met my goal. All the best in 2022. Let’s make it the best year ever. Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

Signups open for Dairy Margin Coverage Program enhancements improve feed cost calculations  News from USDA

WASHINGTON — As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing efforts to support dairy farmers and rural communities, the U.S. Department of Agriculture opened signup for the Dairy 12 - January 5, 2022

Margin Coverage program and expanded the program to allow dairy producers to better protect their operations by enrolling supplemental production. This signup period – which runs from Dec. 13, 2021 to Feb. 18, 2022 – enables producers to get coverage through this important safety-net program for another year as well as get additional assistance through the new Supplemental DMC.

The American Rescue Plan got shots in arms for anyone who wanted them and helped keep small businesses afloat and rural hospitals and schools open. 5. Getting the Northern Border reopened. 6. Crafting the United States Innovation and Competition Act. This landmark science legislation supports cutting edge research that will power development and create

letters

Disagree peacefully

Editor, Picked up our weekly edition of the VJ today and was reminded of a conversation with some friends and acquaintances last week over coffee. I was asking about something in that VJ edition, and one response was - we don’t bother with the news. Knowing they watch OAN I would have to agree with them. I guess that is not unlike the current fad of forcing school districts to remove books with certain subjects from their library. If it is not what you want/believe/think/do etc. ban it from everyone. Our kids will never find out, right? What would our world look like... uhm, maybe that is exactly what our world will look like if, as Bob would say, “we the people” allow short sighted and selfish, insecure people to control how we all should live. Oops, now I am thinking of our current State Legislature making determinations and passing laws that are based on their own prejudices and less on the American ideals that we are a free nation with disagreements, opinions, beliefs, likes and dislikes and except for last January, have a way to find peaceful ways to disagree.

Valley Journal

good-paying, 21st century jobs in scientific and technological innovation and rural America will have a seat at the table when it comes to a new innovation hub. 7. Leading the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. We got 8 of my bills signed into law to meet the evolving needs of our vets here at home, and connect more folks with the health care, benefits, and respect they’ve earned.

My fear is that like Germany, Italy, Russia, and many other countries, we see, and our courts are allowing, the loud angry voices working to destroy our own free voting rights. How far this trend goes and how it changes America, only a future history will record. Richard Bell Polson

Local vs. global Editor, I subscribe to your paper to receive local news. The article from Peace Voice makes me think you are getting away from local to a globalist view paper. Your readers need to know that Peace Voice is a globalist “peace” organization out of Portland Oregon. A town where they can’t get along with anyone who isn’t “liberal,” have riots, looting and generally don’t share Montana values. I certainly hope printing this kind of article is not a new trend. Stick to local news and let the globalist new world order pollute the mainstream media as it’s already lost. Ralph Rosa Polson

Submit nominations for Polson Community Awards News from the Polson Chamber of Commerce

POLSON — It’s been another year of challenges, achievements, inspirations, and successes here in Polson, and there are so many of you out there who deserve the utmost recognition for all that you’ve done to make our community a better and brighter place. To ensure as many businesses and individuals receive consideration for our annual Community Awards this year, we are now accepting nominations from Chamber Members to help us recognize businesses and individuals that have contributed their time, energy and resources to make a significant impact in the Polson community during this past year of 2021. Nominations should be made based on the criteria listed below under each category. The Polson Chamber Board of Directors will select the winners after review of each nomination entry. Only complete nomination forms will be accepted. All recognized businesses must be current members of

the Chamber in good standing and must have not received the award for which they have been nominated within the past three years. Self-nominations are accepted. Nominations must be submitted by January 28, 2022. · Non-Profit Organization of the Year – This award is given to a non-profit organization serving the Polson area, showing effective fundraising and resource development and showing exemplary support to the community while adhering to the non-profit mission. · Polson Leadership Award – The Randy Ingram Leadership Award is intended to recognize a citizen who exhibits outstanding community leadership and unselfishly gives their time to better our community. · Citizen of the Year – The John Tiskus Memorial Citizen of the Year Award represents a citizen in the Polson area involved in growing the community through their vision and leadership. This person

APPLIANCE CARE APPLIANCE CARE Covering the vast majority of Lake County. Covering thevast vast majority majority of Covering the of Lakeexperience. County. 15 years Lake County.

demonstrates commitment to voluntary service and displays high ethical and personal integrity. · Volunteer of the Year – The Andy Anderson Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award represents a person who volunteers or volunteered their time to improving the community through various contributions and community service. · Business of the Year – The business that receives the Business of the Year Award shows growth through revenue and creation of jobs, has innovative products and services, encourages employees to volunteer and demonstrates economic support of the Polson area business community. To submit your nomination: 1. fill out the online nomination form on our website 2. email a completed PDF submission form to chamber@polsonchamber.com; or 3. print out and turn in a completed hardcopy nomination form to our Chamber Office.

Homeless Children, Youth Grant Accepts Applications News from the Montana Office of Public Instruction

HELENA — Montana received two allocations of funds for a total of $1,876,824 to aid in educating homeless children and youth through the McKinney-Vento grant process. The Intend to Apply window for Montana School Districts was open from Oct. until Dec. 3. For more information, please contact Jack O’Connor, Federal Programs Director and State Homeless Education Coordinator, at joconnor2@mt.gov or (406) 444-3083.

HATE YOUR CPAP?

15 years experience.

Local, factory-authorized, 15 years experience. Local, factory-authorized, in-home repairs. in-home repairs. Local, factory-authorized, Servicing all brands, makes of in-home repairs. Servicing all brands, residential appliances. makes of residential appliances. Servicing all brands, makes of Call Sam Allred for Call Sam Allred residential appliances. reliable quality work. for reliable quality work. Call Sam Allred for reliable quality work.

406-883-3904 P.O. Box 343, Polson

406-883-3904

P.O. Box 343, Polson

NOW RELOCATED Call for SERVICE NOW RELOCATED Call for SERVICE

Offering alternative sleep apnea treatments. PPO Insurance Accepted

Call us today to schedule your complimentary consultation

1-406-883-5544 102 1st Ave East • Polson

Valley Journal

January 5, 2022 - 13

There’s no place like home...

Zach Hovorka, MD

Board Certified General Surgeon

Special Interests: Laparoscopy, Open Surgery, Robotic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Bariatrics, Endoscopy both Colonoscopies and EGD’s, Trauma, Cesarean Sections, Burn & Surgical Critical Care

“The best part about St. Luke is that it is truly a community hospital. Decisions are made locally and benefit the community. St. Luke Community is one of the rare hospitals where the nurses know your name and if you need to talk to someone, you’re easily able to find a real person. It’s a great environment for everyone involved.”

- Dr. Zach Hovorka

St. Luke COMMUNITY H E A LT H C A R E “The Heart of Healthcare in the Mission Valley”

Serving the Community at:

St. Luke Community Clinic • 126 6th Ave. SW • Ronan, MT • (406) 676-3600 14 - January 5, 2022

Valley Journal

www.stlukehealthcare.org

Valley Journal

January 5, 2022 - 15

PUZZLES LOS ANGELES TIMES SUNDAY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

“Decision Making” By C.C. Burnikel

ACROSS 1 5 9 14 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 30 32 33 34 36 38 41 42 46 49 50 51 53 54 56 59 60 61 63 68

Safari find Debate side First-string squad Degrees for some execs Graceful horse Created James Gang associate Starr Summa cum __ Candle used in a lighthouse? Genesis tower locale Place out of the sun Casper-to-Denver dir. Word in a beauty brand since 1952 Snake that can walk on water? Snake secretion On one’s __: having recovered Brightly plumed songbird Tax prep pros More current “Such a cute cat!” Russo of “Thor” Imitations of disapproving sounds? Disobedient Goree who played Cassius Clay in “One Night in Miami...” Actor Morales Baconator chain Truth alternative Expressive chat image Even now Treasury Dept. variable Small container Big name in bread Workout trainers? Tot’s belly

69 Rochelle Walensky’s org. 70 “This __ to stop” 71 Mt. Hood’s state 72 Reward for a fan at a smokehouse drawing? 77 iRobot vacuum 81 Sci-fi author Palmer 82 Liquid meas. 83 Loud laughs 86 Garden-variety 87 Lauderdale neighbor 89 Pump number 92 Short statement or question 94 “Billions” airer, briefly 95 Snow day coasters 97 Traveling jokester? 101 Barcelona bar bite 103 Goofy drawing? 104 “Level Up” singer 105 Vaper’s stick, for short 106 Colombian capital 108 Throw out 110 Fr. misses 112 Problem that plagues the grid? 115 Pitcher Sparky, first American League reliever to win the Cy Young Award 116 Jeter’s jersey number 119 “__ we all?” 120 Yearly record 121 Perform a pregame NFL ritual ... or, in four parts, phrase that hints at seven long Across answers 123 Soft minerals 124 “Stranger Things” genre 125 Foil alternative 126 Craving 127 Craftsy etailer 128 Dry runs 129 Orderly 130 Julia’s “Ocean’s Eleven” role

DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 21 23 28 29 31 32 34 35 37 39 40 43 44 45 47 48 52 55 57 58 62 64 65 66 67

Bits of wisdom Golden years funds Risky way to save Recede Rock-clinging mollusks Museum tour rule Horse victim? Travel stop Cornish of “Jack Ryan” Convenient envelope-opening strip Island off Tuscany Smart guy? __ Yello Like “Lost” characters Unwinding luxury Love to pieces Blood drive fluids More frilly Many, many years Bygone Ford div. Make an oopsie Medium gift “Wine Country” actress Obnoxious sort Mallorcan seaport Legal order Come out on top Thick-heeled shoes Lebanon’s capital Head-turning birds Match sound to video Great Lake near Detroit Microscope part Wildlife trail Jump in a tutu Online source for film buffs 2021 Pixar film set in Italy Panama pal Half a toy train? Pop singer Del Rey Stir up Corp. honchos

69 TD Garden NBAer 72 Research places 73 Childhood hero, perhaps 74 Small drying aids 75 Jet speed measure 76 Staff for sailing 78 Shop with record sales 79 Its supreme body is the Universal House of Justice 80 Word after string or sing 84 Costa __ 85 Nolde watercolor with a turbulent title 88 “Mad Men” business 90 Candle count, maybe 91 Where teams annually make ice picks? 93 “Ready when you are!” 96 Pool and pickleball 98 Pinnacle 99 Shrill bark 100 “Mudbound” director Rees 102 Common tweet symbols 106 Fictional Kazakh journalist 107 “... and __ of thousands!” 109 Jamaican citrus fruits 111 Grazing area 112 B‡nh m“ condiment 113 At the moment when 114 Aussie colleges 115 A bit less than a canter 117 Drag show toppers 118 People 121 Decathlon number 122 Edit, in a way

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

CRYPTO-QUOTE

One letter stands in for another. Single letters, apostrophes, word length and formation of the words are all hints. Each week the key is different.

RXW XIF FY FYKLIMY PEY XYF GYRC. OUKK IO PEZXSQ PERP ERNY XYNYC VYYX. - CRZXYC MRCZR CZKTY Ben Stone / Valley Journal

QUICKSILVER EXPRESSO TAKE A BREAK!

51999 US 93 • PABLO 16 - January 5, 2022

7 days a week

Monday- Friday 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday & Sunday 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.

675-5000

(near the walking bridge in Pablo) Valley Journal

Come in for: • Soup & Sandwiches • Coffee Bar • Free Wi-Fi • Ice Cream • Car Wash & Vacuum • Laundromat • ATM • Flathead Transit/ Jefferson Line connect

Full Service Espresso Bar

GfEsnacks HiU n s!! o o

ge ct sele bevera &

By: Magi Helena for the Week of Jan. 2, 2022 ARIES (March 21-April 19): Actions speak louder than words so take baby steps toward accomplishing a New Year’s resolution. Take pride in strengths and talents displayed by members of your family. Be precise about communications in the week ahead.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): This may be a good time to address tasks that you have avoided so you can start the week off with a clean slate. It can pay to be fussy about details. Getting organized will be more appealing with an amiable helpmate.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Speaking can be fun, but it is through attentive and engaged listening that we honor and show our love for others. In the week ahead, avoid rushing ahead with family plans unless they are thoroughly thought out.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Stretch your muscles to stay in shape. Actually playing sports or games may be more rewarding than watching them on TV. In the week ahead, you can stick to a resolution because you are probably willing to put in some extra effort.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Playing games by a roaring fire, relaxing with an interesting friend or indulging in creature comforts could appeal to you. In the week to come your work could challenge you to spend hours structuring and rearranging.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In the upcoming week you may become more aware of how you look and how your appearance attracts others. In the awareness, you might find a change you’d like to make. Safeguard your money carefully, then release financial fears.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): What seems most important as the week goes by could be the call of ambition, daring you reach for the stars. You may need to get plenty of rest to keep up your energy to run with active friends and partners.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Today you may be happy to welcome whatever or whoever knocks on your door. In the week ahead you might be chosen to be the leader of the office crew or be thrilled and show enthusiasm for a fresh assignment.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Remain positive even if you feel burdened by too many obligations and duties in the week ahead. Other people may be more dynamic and flashier than you, but you likely possess persistence, which can get the job done.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Your intentions might be good, but your aim might not be accurate. Give thought to the best way to approach a loved one. Ignore the competition with those who don’t play by your rules in the week ahead.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Your generosity and willingness to be forgiving may win someone’s heart. Your good taste might impress loved ones. Watch your step with authority figures in the week ahead because hidden problems can trip you up.

SUDOKU

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Sociability might be your middle name as the week begins to unfold. Make the most of your free time by spending it with loved ones. You can show your affection by taking relationships seriously and being responsible.

THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME! ® By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

The letters of these crazy words are all mixed up. To play the game, put them back into the right order so that they make real words you can find in your dictionary. Write the letters of each real word under each crazy word, but only one letter to a square.

TKI EVON TYDU TOMH

Get the free JUST JUMBLE app • Follow us on Twitter @PlayJumble

WEEKLY HOROSCOPE

Now you’re ready to solve today’s Jumble For Kids. Study the picture for a hint. Play around with the letters in the circles. You’ll find you can put them in order so that they make your funny answer.

Print your answer here: OVEN DUTY MOTH Jumbles: KIT Answer: After going fishing with her parents for the first time, she was — HOOKED

COMICS

Answers on page 20 Valley Journal

January 5, 2022 - 17

seniors St. Ignatius By Irene Pritsak for the Valley Journal

ST. IGNATIUS — Tis the season for comfort food and cozy homes as we recover from the holidays and get ready for a new year full of unknowns. Hopefully, you all stayed healthy and happy during our cold spell, which came just in time for the start of winter. On Saturday, Jan. 15, there will be bingo played at the St. Ignatius Senior Center at 2 p.m. with a $50 blackout. Our menu for the week: — Wednesday, Jan. 5: dinner at 5:30 - pork ribs with applesauce, oven roasted potatoes, mixed veggies, fruit, lemon bars — Friday, Jan. 7: beef stew, rolls, fruit, brownies

— Tuesday, Jan. 11: chili dogs, tater tots, veggies, fruit, chocolate cookies We look forward to seeing many more of our members in this new year. Have a great week.

Dixon By Heather Rush for the Valley Journal

DIXON — The Dixon Senior Center continues to serve our community and hopes everyone is staying happy and healthy. All are invited to come enjoy dinner. Meals will be served Monday and Thursday evenings at 5 p.m. Meals are $4 per serving and are deliverable to Dixon residents upon request. We are also accepting take-out meal requests for $5 per serving.

The menu is: — Thursday, Jan. 6: roast, mashed potatoes, salad, rolls, dessert — Monday, Jan. 10: dinner - Indian tacos, dessert — Thursday, Jan. 13: hamburger casserole, vegetables, fruit, dessert Pinochle will be back in the spring. We will be taking a break during the winter for the safety of our seniors. Feel welcome to place an order in advance by calling 406-246-3310. All ages are always welcome.

Polson By Pete Mangels for the Valley Journal

POLSON — The Polson Senior Center, located at 504 Third Ave. E, is open

births Niko Dentler POLSON — Niko Declan Dentler was born Dec. 21, 2021, at the St. Luke New Beginnings Birth Center. He weighed 9 pounds, 8 ounces. Parents are Nick Dentler and Katiria Dejesus of Polson. Paternal grandmother is BarbaNiko Dentler ra Dentler of Polson. Maternal grandmother is Madelyn Burgos of New York, New York.

18 - January 5, 2022

Luna Wall RONAN — Luna May Wall was born on Dec. 17, 2021, at the St. Luke New Beginnings Birth Center. She weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces. Mother is Ashley Guzman of Ronan. Maternal grandparents are Leticia Lujan of Polson and Michael Guzman of Luna Wall Phoenix, Arizona. Luna joins siblings Matayia, Talaylah, Alika, and Tyler Jr.

Valley Journal

practice with a friend. Orfrom 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Lunch is available from ganized weekly pool games should start on Jan. 6, 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 2022. Practice from 8-11:30 weekdays for $5. Dine-in, a.m. and 12:30-3:00 p.m. on take-out, and delivery to most week days. shut-ins are also available. This year is the 50th anniIndividuals and small versary of our Polson Senior groups are always welcome to lounge, work puzzles, read, Center. We are looking forward to a great celebration. If play card or board games, you have stories or pictures billiards, etc. Our activito share from previous years, ties are a great way to meet let us know. Our historian old friends and create new and directors are beginfriendships. Call us with your questions ning to compile a display to share. If you had or have relat 406-883-4735, or email atives that were active at the us at: polsonseniorcenter@ center, let us know. gmail.com. Menu: Activities: — Wednesday, Jan. 5: tur— Exercise for mobility: key a-la-king, biscuit, 3-bean Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. salad, key lime bars — Thursday, Jan. 6: sau(low impact or seated if desi sage, hash brown red) bake, muffin, fruit, carrot cake — Bridge: Tuesdays and — Friday, Jan. 7: SwedFridays - postponed. Call the ish meatballs, noodles with center or come in to place your name on the players list. gravy, carrots, fruit Jell-O, — Mahjong: Wednesdays, apple-raisin crisp — Monday, Jan. 10: veg12:30 p.m. (multiple tables) gie soup, cheesy bread, green — Pinochle: Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. We play 3, 4, or 5 salad — Tuesday, Jan. 11: baked hands per table. Coaching is ham, scalloped potatoes, peas, available. tomato aspic, chocolate cake — Bingo: Friday, 7 p.m. — Wednesday, Jan. 12: — Pool: We need expertise sweet and sour pork, rice, in repair of some well used mixed vegetables, spinach cue sticks. Also, if you have salad, pistachio pudding some gently used cue sticks, — Thursday, Jan. or cue tip repair kits, we 13: Shepherd’s pie, roll, apple could use them. Practice for sauce, Watergate salad, cobweekly, free, open pool tourbler naments – 50+ (younger if Other events: supervised by a parent) Play — free hearing clinic every will be at 3 p.m. on Thursthird Thursday – next one days or any other time/day Jan. 20 from 10 a.m.-noon preferred by players. Pool is — veterans’ representative free with no entry fee. The is here on the first Friday rules are to play nice and and the third Tuesday of each assure fun for everyone on month - Jan. 7 and Jan. 18, a cold winter day. Call the from 10 a.m.-noon center or come on down and

obituaries Lionel Herreid POLSON — Lionel E. “Sonny” Herreid, age 87, went to be with his wife of 60 years, Gail, on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, at his Lionel Herreid home. He was born on May 17, 1934, to Ernest and Wilma Herreid in Polson. He was the second of four children, including Dorrene, Shirley, and Dale. Sonny served in the U.S. Army from 1954 – 1956. He married E. Gail Kimball on April 10, 1957. They were married for 60 plus years in which they had five T’s: Tammie (Barry) Zeiser, Tim (Geri), Teresa, Todd (Koko) and Tedd (Steph); 13 grandkids and numerous great-grandkids. Sonny enjoyed his woodworking and fishing with his bride at Camp Tuffit. They lived in Polson until purchasing a farm in Valley View in 1963. Sonny drove a logging truck while he ranched and raised beef cows. The ranch and dairy life took up their time until 1981 when they moved back to Polson. He continued to work for Lake County driving truck. After retiring from the county, he drove a school bus for the Polson School District. He finally hung up his

keys and retired to fishing, snoozing on the deck in the summer at Camp Tuffit, his home away from home, and building bird houses in the winter. He spent his free time having a toddy or two with his good friends. He never stopped talking about the good times with the “work party gang” at Tuffit. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gail; his parents, Ernest and Wilma Herreid; his siblings, Dorrene, Shirley, and Dale; and an infant granddaughter, Robin. Graveside services were held on Dec. 24, 2021. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at: www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com. Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.

Richard Bick MISSOULA — Richard Wayne Bick, 63, died of heart failure on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021, in Spokane, Washington. He was born on March 31, 1958, in Ronan to Charles and Delores Bick. The Richard Bick fourth of six children, Rich was taught the value of love and hard work on a dairy farm while attending school in Char-

lo. He never had to worry about what to do with his spare time as he was kept busy raising calves, putting up hay, and milking cows. While attending school in Charlo, he met LuJuana Mae Bauer, the love of his life. On Sept. 29, 1979, they were married in Charlo and were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple in Idaho on Dec. 9, 1981. Rich was a loyal husband and a wonderful father. He was blessed with an ability to lovingly understand and teach his children as well as their many friends. Rich was an accomplished mechanic and welder, gaining much experience working on heavy equipment while employed with the State of Montana. He retired as a shop foreman after working for the State Highway Department for 35 years. Outside of work

he used his talents to bless the lives of many; with numerous friends, family, and strangers benefitting from Rich’s expertise. He could fix anything, operate most equipment, and was a skilled builder. Wherever he volunteered, he had a positive impact on those he worked with and people sincerely enjoyed working with him. He served the community through countless activities including helping his sons and many others achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. Most of all, Rich strived to live his life as a disciple of Christ. He knew where he came from and never deviated on where he wanted to go. He prioritized attending the temple and never turned down a church responsibility. In each opportunity to serve, he felt blessed, and said that “Service is the rent

you pay for living on this earth. There is joy in service.” Rich’s passing was unexpected, but his primary goal in life was to have an eternal family, and he looked forward to the time in which he would be with his daughter, Julie, and our Father in Heaven again. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Fred Bick; his father-in-law, Arnold Alfred Bauer; his daughter, Julie Dawn; and his niece, Jenneil Dawn Thornburg. Survivors include his mother, Delores Bick Rogers ( Jim Rogers); his wife, LuJuana; children Jeanne Diane (Merrill McKamey), Susan Jean

(Austin Lewis), Dawn Marie (Chris Robinson), Christopher Paul (Rosanne Larson), and Richard Thomas (Nika Montgomery); sixteen grandchildren; brothers, Donald (Kristy), Wallace (Kelly), Robert (Caralyn Schroter); sisters, Theresa (Ralph Johnston), Barbara (Vern Stipe) and numerous nieces and nephews. Services have been held. Arrangements are under the direction of Shrider’s Mortuary in Ronan. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at: www. shriderthompson.com. Arrangements are under the care of Shrider– Thompson Funeral Home.

THE POWER OF

CONNECTION, CULTURE & COMMUNITY

RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR SPRING SEMESTER SPRING CLASSES START JANUARY 18TH!

3RD ANNUAL INTERMOUNTAIN ONLINE ONLY CLASSIC CAR AUCTION SATURDAY MARCH 12, 2022

ONLINE & HYBRID LEARNING • Tuition and Fee Waivers • Laptop & Internet • Books & Meal Stipends We offer 25+ one-year and two-year programs with flexible daytime and evening classes. Providing a safe campus environment requiring masks and social distancing. Call 1-406-768-6370 to register today or visit fpcc.edu for more information. L AST DAY TO REGIST ER · FRIDAY, JA NUA RY 21ST

7TH ANNUAL SALT LAKE CITY

10TH ANNUAL MONTANA

SATURDAY MAY 14, 2022

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2022

WWW. C LASSIC C AR A UCTION.US

Local Auction Service

(406) 698-7930

National Auction Presence!

Consign your car or collection now!

Valley Journal

Available to degree-seeking students enrolled for six credits or more during Spring 2022 semester.

January 5, 2022 - 19

PSC districts from page 9

votes to an impermissible level.” More specifically, he wrote that voter representation is “potentially magnified” in District 1 and potentially diminished in District 3. The degree to which population has shifted in the state became clear earlier this year when the U.S. Census Bureau released the results of its decennial population count. The PSC map was last updated in 2003. Since then, District 3, which includes southwestern Montana population centers Bozeman and Butte, has grown by more than 60,000 residents. District 1, which includes Great Falls, Lewistown, and all northeastern Montana, has added just 2,400 people in the last 20 years. The order applies to candidates running in districts 1 and 5, where voters will elect

MONTANA FREE PRESS GRAPHIC

PSC commissioners in the 2022 election cycle. Commissioners serve four-year terms, and by law can’t serve more than two terms in a 16-year period. District 1 is currently represented by Sun River resident Randy Pinocci, a Republican who’s three-quarters of the way through his first term.

District 5’s seat is held by the commission’s vice chair, Republican Brad Johnson of East Helena, who will be termed out in 2022. District 5 includes Lewis and Clark County and five other counties stretching north and west from there. At least three Montanans have announced plans to run

in District 5: Republicans Joe Dooling and Derek Skees, a current state representative from Kalispell, and Democrat Kevin Hamm. Several bills proposed in prior legislative sessions would have either reapportioned PSC districts directly, specified a redistricting process for the commission, or

otherwise restructured the body, the lawsuit notes. None passed into law. Molloy’s order will be in effect until at least Jan. 7, when he hears arguments on a motion for preliminary injunction at Missoula’s federal courthouse.

This week's puzzle answers: Classified ads work! Crypto-Quote Solution Call us today.

AND NOW WE WELCOME THE 406-676-8989 NEW YEAR. FULL OF THINGS THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN. - RAINER MARIA RILKE

20 - January 5, 2022

Valley Journal

calendar Thursday, Jan. 6 Free food business ZOOM workshop LAKE COUNTY — Mission West Community Development Program announces, “Concept to Consumer,” a free ZOOM workshop that will be held on Thursday, Jan. 6, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. This wide-ranging class will provide you with a firm foundation for starting your food business. Topics covered will include: target market development, cottage food law, The Food Safety Modernization Act, food product development, and processing options. The following link will set you up for the class: https://lccdc. ecenterdirect.com/ events/ or call 406-6765928.

Flathead Irrigation District holds special meeting RONAN — The Flathead Irrigation District will hold a special meeting on Jan. 6, 2022, at 1 p.m. at the Lake County Extension Office, 303 Third Ave., NW. (Please use the back door.) You can go to: http://www. flatheadirrigationdistrict. org for more details.

Free food business workshop offered RONAN — Mission West Community Development Partners is offering a free workshop to help you turn your food idea into a food business. You’ll learn: target market development, cottage food law; Food safety

Modernization Act; food product development; processing options. This workshop is offered via Zoom. This popular class fills up fast so reserve your seat today. Register online at: lccdc.ecenterdirect.com/ events or call 406-6765928.

Friday, Jan. 14 Band of Drifters to entertain in Polson POLSON — At 7 p.m. on Friday evening, Jan. 14, 2022, in the Polson High School Auditorium the group “Band of Drifters” will play modern American roots music. Their music draws from country, folk and blues traditions with an emphasis on original songs, done in the old style. Wearing of masks is strongly recommended. Advance tickets are available online for $13 at our ticket outlets in Polson at First Interstate Bank and the Perfect Shot Tavern and in Ronan at Ronan True Value and Health Care Solutions. Single ticket will be sold at the door for $15. Go online at missionvalleylive.com for more information.

Friday, Jan. 28 Winter Film Festival on tap POLSON — The Flathead Lake International Cinemafest begins on Friday, Jan. 28, at the Showboat Cinema.

Arntzen announces partnership with afterschool programs News from the Montana Office of Public Instruction

HELENA – The Office of Public Instruction (OPI) has released the formal application for the Montana Afterschool Grant. This grant is part of the federal American Rescue Plan for COVID-19 relief. Afterschool community organizations, including schools, will receive $2,805,957 for the calendar year of 2022. Grantees can apply for renewal for the second year of funding. The Montana Afterschool Grant is a formula grant. It has a two-tier process where interested organizations or schools have until Nov. 12 to submit an Intent to Apply. The criteria for general eligibility and amount funded included: – Number of students of serving – Location and population density of the community, – Socio-economic status of the students served

Calling Our Warriors from page 8

Missoula, expresses his frustration with the misinformation that continues to prevent people from getting vaccinated and taking routine precautions like wearing masks and keeping a safe distance in social settings. “It feels unnecessary that we are where we are.” He offers this sobering observation about COVID patients: “90% of the people admitted to our hospital now are unvaccinated and anecdotally, for me, every person that I’ve intubated, that goes on a ventilator and is unvaccinated just doesn’t survive – 100% mortality rate.” People who are vaccinated and get the virus are far less likely to end up in the ER, or on a ventilator. “Their odds of getting intubated are a lot lower and their odds of surviving it are a lot higher,” he says. “That’s the point of the vaccine.” Finley is also a vaccine advoValley Journal

The formal application is now open. For the first allocation, 75 afterschool programming sites are eligible to apply for funding, and over 4,000 Montana students will be served. “As a classroom teacher of 23 years, partnership with afterschool programs is essential for the continuation of learning,” said State Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “These afterschool partners provide a safe learning environment supporting our hardworking Montana parents.” A steering committee was formed in late spring of 2021, with multiple conversations focusing on current and future needs in a sustainable model. OPI will be offering an introduction to the electronic grant (E-grant) application and technical support webinar Wednesday, Dec. 29 at 11 a.m. via Zoom. For more information, please contact Jeff Kirksey, MSEd., ESSER Program Manager, at Jeffrey.kirksey@mt.gov or (406) 444-0783.

“Every person that I’ve intubated, that goes on a ventilator and is unvaccinated just doesn’t survive - 100% mortality rate.” DR. MICHAEL “CUBBY” PIERRE, TRIBAL MEMBER AND ER DOCTOR AT COMMUNITY MEDICAL CENTER

cate. “From a cultural perspective my ancestors weren’t stupid,” he says. “When a tool was presented to them that would help make a job easier, make life easier, they took advantage of it.” “I see vaccination as an important tool,” he adds. “I don’t believe my ancestors would turn away from it.” Devereaux, a Missoula-based music producer who also worked on a series of music videos produced by the Tribes to help combat COVID, had two go-arounds with the virus. The first time, “it was tough – definitely not your everyday sickness.” His fever finally broke after six days. His second encounter came after he was vaccinated “so it was much, much easier.”

Despite his own firsthand experience, conducting interviews for the film “was just eye opening,” he says. “I was impacted in a way that made me take it more seriously. That’s what I hope everybody takes away from it.” So far, the 14-minute documentary has been viewed in its entirety 1,000 times, 2,500 people have watched at least 10 minutes or more, and over 2,000 have visited the website, www. CallingOurWarriors.com. “I’m so proud of it,” says Mitchell. “I think it did exactly what we were hoping it would do – get people’s attention and then remind them of who we are, that we take care of each other, we don’t just take care of ourselves.”

January 5, 2022 - 21

classifieds Announcements Wanted WANTED TO BUY Guns and/or ammunition, old or new. Whole estates/collections or single pieces. Fair prices paid. 207-4641

Employment Help wanted FOSTER CARE SOCIAL WORKER TRAINEE (1 OR MORE POSITIONS) DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT The successful applicant must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and/ or Psychology, or currently attending college working towards obtaining BSW or BA in Psychology, with a minimum of 5-8 months’ actual work experience in the Child Welfare Service field. Must be able to type neat professional reports, letters and use various text based computer programs including MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Publisher, MS Excel, Adobe Acrobat and other PDF documents for storage and transfer of information. Must pass a background investigation if hired. Must have never been convicted of or pled guilty to a felony crime of domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, sexual offense or a crime of violence. Must not be involved with any child or social service protection agency as a client, no alcohol or drug abuse or domestic violence charges within the past five (5) years. Must not have resigned to avoid disciplinary actions or have been dismissed from employment within the past three (3) years. Must possess a valid Montana driver’s license. The successful applicant will participate in on-call duties on a rotating schedule. This position is a mandatory reporter. This position is subject to a background check in accordance with Public Law 101-630. Will maintain and 22 - January 5, 2022

participate in other duties as assigned. All applicants must submit a Tribal application, a supplemental questionnaire for background investigations, a copy of academic transcripts/training certificates, a copy of current valid driver’s license and proof of insurance and a proof of enrollment in a federally recognized Tribe if other than CSKT and if claiming veteran’s preference, a copy of the DD214 must be submitted. This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. A favorable determination resulting from a completed background investigation is required for your placement in this position. The successful applicant, if not already employed by the Tribes must pass a pre-hire drug test and serve a mandatory six (6) months probationary period. Salary range: $18.28 to $21.02 per hour. To apply, contact Personnel at (406) 675-2700 Ext. 1259/1040. Tribal applications are also available on-line at www.csktribes.org. Closing date will be Thursday, Jan. 20th, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER. FOSTER CARE WORKER 1 OR MORE POSITIONS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology or related field with six (6) months’ work experience with children/youth, at risk families CPS, Foster Care or Early Childhood Services. Must pass a background investigation if hired. Must have never been convicted of or pled guilty to a felony crime of domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, sexual offense or a crime of violence. Must not have any involvement with any child or social service protection agency as a client, no alcohol or drug abuse or domestic violence charges within the past five (5) years. Must not have resigned to avoid disciplinary actions or have been dismissed from employment within the past

three (3) years. Must possess a valid Montana driver’s license. Successful applicant will be on-call with other staff on a rotating schedule. All applicants must submit a Tribal application, a supplemental questionnaire for background investigations, a copy of academic transcripts/training certificates, a copy of current valid driver’s license and proof of insurance and a proof of enrollment in a federally recognized Tribe if other than CSKT and if claiming veteran’s preference, a copy of the DD214 must be submitted. This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. A favorable determination resulting from a completed background investigation is required for your placement in this position. The successful applicant, if not already employed by the Tribes must pass a prehire drug test and serve a mandatory six (6) months probationary period. Salary range: $21.00 to $24.13 per hour. To apply, contact Personnel at (406) 675-2700 Ext. 1043. Tribal applications are also available on-line at www. csktribes.org. Closing date will be Thursday, Jan. 20th, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER. Due to expansion, Enviro-Tire is hiring for 2 CDL drivers. Both positions are open immediately. No tire loading, drop and hook only. CDL Class A truck driver with doubles endorsement for Montana, Idaho and Washington day runs. Home every night. Work site is in Lonepine, Mt. Year-round, full-time position. Pay mid-$20s per hour for experienced, qualified drivers. Mandatory DOT drug testing. Vacation & holiday pay. Office phone and fax (406) 755-7716, enviro-tire@ montanasky.com Extension Agent – Three positions - Flathead County (Kalispell), Ravalli County (Hamilton) and Park County (Livingston). Full time, MSU Extension. Fun career

opportunity to plan, implement and evaluate educational programs. Bachelor’s degree required. For complete description and to apply, visit msuextension.org, click on “careers.”  Screening begins January, 2022. Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans/Disabled. ELDER SERVICES PROGRAM HOME VISITOR 2 OR MORE POSITIONS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT The successful applicant must possess a high school/GED and 3 years of experience working in Support Services and with Adult/Senior Services. Fluent speaking in Salish and or Kootenai language preferred. Caring, sympathetic approach to working with elders. Willingness to follow directions and adhere to all policies. Strong communication, listening, planning, home keeping and reasoning skills. Obtain certification within 6 months of hire of CNA training. Three years’ experience with working directly with Native American communities and tribal families. Must have CPR/First Aide training or obtain within 60 days of hire. Strong computer skills with 2 years’ experience with Microsoft Office. Must pass background investigation, including relevant criminal history and a pre-hire drug test. Valid Montana driver’s license and possess liability car insurance. All applicants are required to submit a Tribal application, a completed supplemental questionnaire for background investigations, a copy of relevant transcript, a copy of current valid driver’s license, proof of enrollment from a federally recognized Tribe if other than CSKT and if claiming veteran’s preference, a copy of the DD214 must be submitted to the Tribal Personnel Department. This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. A favorable determination resulting from a completed background investigation is required for your placement in this

Valley Journal

position. The successful applicant, if not already employed by the Tribes must pass a pre-hire drug test and serve a mandatory six (6) month probationary period. To apply, contact Personnel at 406-675-2700 Ext. 1043/1259 for an application. Tribal applications are also available on-line at csktribes. org. The salary range is $16.53 to $19.00 per hour, plus benefits. Closing date will be Thursday, January 13th, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

Public Notices Legals Legals PUBLIC NOTICE The Board of Lake County Commissioners did November 10, 15, 17, 22, 24 and December 1, 2021, approve claims for payment in the amount of $2,477,385.20 for the period of November 1, 2021 through November 30, 2021. The full and complete claims lists are available for public review in the Courthouse in the Clerk and Recorder’s Office. Individual requests for personal copies will be accepted by the Clerk and Recorder, Lake County Courthouse, Polson, MT. Signed this 20th day of December, 2021. BOARD OF LAKE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

IZATION - CHARLO IRRIGATION SERVICE AREA CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES (CSKT) DIVISION OF ENGINEERING AND WATER RESOURCES The CSKT Division of Engineering and Water Resources invites interested consultants to submit a Statement of Qualifications in response to the Request for Qualifications – Irrigation Water Management, Rehabilitation, Betterment and Modernization, Charlo Irrigation Service Area. The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) may be obtained from: Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes: Attn: Seth Makepeace, DEWR Team Lead, seth. makepeace@cskt.org, Phone 406676-2600. The Request for Qualifications may also be viewed and downloaded at the following website: http:// nrd.csktribes.org/ water-management/ Charlo Irrigation Service Area Project. Statements of Qualification must be received at the email address listed in the RFQ no later than 4:00 p.m. (MST), January 20, 2022. This Project will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the CSKT’s Indian Preference Ordinance 101A and Regulations. The selection of the successful consultant and award of this project will be per the provisions of Ordinance 101A and regulations. Tribal Contractors who wish to receive Indian Preference must obtain certification by the CSKT Indian Preference Office as a legitimate Indian-owned business prior to the submission of their Statement of Qualification. Proof of Indian Preference Certification must be included with your Statement of Qualification in the form of a copy of the Certificate issued by the Indian Preference Office. Be advised that evidence of your membership or affiliation with a Tribe does not constitute Indian Preference Certification. Contractors must be certified by the Indian Preference Office in order to claim Indian preference. It is the sole responsibility of the submitter to obtain and provide proof of Indian Preference certification from the Indian Preference Office. Dec. 15, 22, and 29, 2021, and Jan. 5, 2022 MNAXLP

/s/ William D. Barron, Chairman Dec. 29, 2021 and Jan. 5, 2022 MNAXLP REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS - IRRIGATION WATER MANAGEMENT, REHABILITATION, BETTERMENT AND MODERN-

PUBLIC NOTICE The Board of Lake County Commissioners Proceedings for the period of August through October, 2021 are available for public review in the see page 23

public notices Legal Notices cont’d from pg. 22 Courthouse at the Clerk & Recorders Office. Individual requests for personal copies will be accepted by the Clerk & Recorder at her office in the Lake County Courthouse. William D. Barron, Chairman Dec. 29, 2021 and Jan. 5, 2022 MNAXLP Tyler G. Moss MOSS LAW PLLC 201 Fourth Ave. East PO Box 1128 Polson, MT 59860 (406) 231-1328 Attorneys for Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, LAKE COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF PATRICIA S. KRANTZ, Deceased. CAUSE No. DP-21-80 Hon. Deborah Kim Christopher NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That the undersigned has been appointed as Personal Representative of the above-entitled estate, and that the address of the Personal Representative is set forth below. All creditors of the decedent having claims against the decedent’s estate must present their claims within four

(4) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice, or be forever barred as creditors of the decedent. A written statement of the claim indicating its basis, the name and address of the claimant, and the amount claimed, may be filed with the Clerk of the 20th Judicial District Court, at 106 4th Ave. East, Polson, Montana 59860, or mailed, Return Receipt Requested, to the Personal Representative, c/o MOSS LAW PLLC, Attorneys for the Personal Representative, at P.O. Box 1128, Polson, MT 59860. /s/ Linda K. Bowers LINDA K. BOWERS, Personal Representative, Estate of PATRICIA S. KRANTZ, Deceased. Dec. 22, 29, 2021 and Jan. 5, 2022 MNAXLP William P. Williams, IV FRENCH, GRAINEY & WILLIAMS, PLLC Attorneys at Law 324 Main SW Ronan, MT 59864 Telephone: (406) 676-4470 bill@fgwilliamslaw.com Attorneys for Personal Representative

claims against the said deceased are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice or said claims will be forever barred as creditors of the decedent. A written statement of the claim indicating its basis, the name and address of the claimant, and the amount claimed, must either be mailed to PEGGY ROWE, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, c/o FRENCH, GRAINEY & WILLIAMS, PLLC, 324 Main SW, Ronan, MT 59864, or filed with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court. DATED this 27th day of December, 2021. /s/ Peggy Rowe PEGGY ROWE Personal Representative January, 5, 12 and 19, 2022 MNAXLP

MONTANA TWENTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, LAKE COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF KRISTINE S. MEILI, Deceased. CAUSE NO. DP-21-89 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the abovenamed Estate. All persons having

The Board of Lake County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on January 25, 2022, at 1:30 pm for the purpose of taking public comment on the resolution listed below. If you would like to submit public comment but are unable to make it to the public hearing, please email your comment to lakecommissioners@lakemt.gov with the subject line of Resolution 21-32 or by mail to: Lake County Commissioners 106 4th Avenue East Polson, MT 59860 Or call 406.883.7204 Resolution 21-32 A Resolution of Intent to Increase Lake County Solid Waste Management District Disposal Fees

Whereas, Lake County established a countywide solid waste management district pursuant to the laws and rules of the State of Montana, (2007) MCA, 7-13-203, and, Whereas, (2007) MCA, 7-13-231, grants Lake County the authority to establish suitable disposal fees to defray the cost of maintenance and operation of said district, and, Whereas, Resolution 05-46, Lake County, Montana, provided for separate fees to cover the costs of disposing of certain wastes requiring special handling, and, Whereas, current rates have not increased since 2005, the Board of Directors of the Lake County Solid Waste Management District has recommended increasing fees to cover increased cost of operations due to increased volumes of waste, personnel costs, increased regulatory compliance costs, and the addition of future services, Whereas, the Board of Directors of the Lake County Solid Waste Management District has recommended the following fees for the disposal of the following wastes, 1. Wood Waste Properly separated for disposal at the Class III Landfill a. $15.00 per ton b. $15.00 minimum charge for commercial enterprises c. No charge for the first 100 pounds if self-hauled by homeowner d. Large Stumps and other difficult to handle materials are $40.00 per ton 2. Construction and Demolition Debris properly separated for disposal at

Service Directory ADVERTISE HERE!

the Class IV Landfill a. $10.00 per cubic yard b. $10.00 minimum charge 3. Concrete without rebar and properly separated for disposal at Class III Landfill a. $20.00 per ton 4. Large Animal disposal at the Transfer Station a. $80.00 per ton b. Dogs and cats, $10 per carcass 5. PAYT (Pay as You Throw) - non-assessed waste, etc. disposed of at the Transfer Station a. $80.00 per ton b. $10.00 minimum 6. Loads not properly separated for disposal a. $150.00 per ton at Transfer Station or Class III Landfill b. $50.00 per yard at the Class IV Landfill 7. Special Handling of Other Large Waste Volumes a. Fee set by mutual agreement between Lake County and Contractor, Waste Generator, or Waste Hauler The wastes listed above may not be disposed of at Lake County container sites. Disposal fees are due upon disposal, unless billing arrangements are made prior to disposal. All other portions of Resolution 05-46 not cited are unchanged. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that, as per (2007) MCA, 7-13-231/232, unless there is sufficient written opposition submitted to the Lake County Clerk and Recorder, Lake County Courthouse, 106 4th Ave E, Polson, MT 59860, by January 25, 2022, or expressed in a public hearing at 1:30 pm January 25, 2022,

in the Commissioners’ Office, it is the intent of Lake County to increase the Lake County Solid Waste Management District disposal fees effective February 1, 2022. /s/ William D. Barron, Chairman /s/ Steve Stanley, Member /s/ Gale Decker, Member Attest: /s/ Katie Harding, Clerk & Recorder Dec. 29, 2021 and Jan. 5, 2022 MNAXLP Montana 20th Judicial District Court, Lake County In the matter of the Name Change of Daniel Edward Mitchke; Daniel Edward Mitchke, Petitioner. Cause No: DV-21-226 Dept. No. 2002 NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Daniel Edward Mitchke to Daniel Leon. The hearing will be on Feb. 3, 2022, at 10:00 am. The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Lake County. Dated: December 14, 2021. Lyn Fricker Clerk of District Court By Mary Rensvold Deputy Clerk of Court Dec. 29, 2021, Jan. 5, 12, 19, 2022 MNAXLP

FOR ALL YOUR ACCOUNTING NEEDS

FIDUCIARY INCOME TAX PREPARATION FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION QUARTERLY REPORTS INDIVIDUAL AND BUSINESS INCOME TAX PREPARATION BOOKKEEPING PAYROLL

211 Main Street Polson, MT (406) 883-4368 • (406) 883-9250

as low as $25 per week (4-week commitment)

Call 676-8989 for details

• 24 hour Towing Service • Provide for all major towing clubs • Jump starts, lock outs, fuel delivery 607 3RD AVE NW, RONAN 676-3961

Valley Journal

January 5, 2022 - 23

REQUEST FOR BIDS - GRANT WRITING & PROGRAM EVALUATION SERVICES The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD)

The CSKT Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD) is accepting bids from qualified professionals

experienced in grant writing and program evaluation services for tribal programs. The successful candidate will serve as the grant writer for DHRD and evaluator for the Tribal Court Improvement Program grant. This will include writing grant proposals, quarterly/semi-annual reports, end-of-year reports, and final summative report as required in Tribal Court Improvement program. Such reports and required activities include:

Formative and summative evaluation Design evaluation Process evaluation Grant modification documentation Research as requested Empirical data tracking Site visits from various cross-site evaluators Required experience:

Seven or more years of experience in writing successfully funded tribal grants for programs on the Flathead Reservation. Two or more years working with a Tribal Court Improvement Program. Experience working with R.H.S., A.C.F., S.A.M.S.H.A., A.N.A, and A.C.Y., and D.OJ. grants.

Proposal must include:

Professional writing samples of written and funded grant proposals. Resume or curriculum vitae with relevant work experience Bid for services List of successful grants written and funded within the past 2 years ($250,000 +)

Submit proposal to:

CSKT Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD) Attn: Patricia Courchane, DHRD Department Head P.O. Box 278 Pablo, MT 59855

SEALED BID-GRANT W/E

All proposals must be received no later than 5:30 pm on Thursday, January 20, 2022. Announcement of the award will take place on Wednesday, January 26, 2022. Indian Preference Certification This is an Indian Preference Bid. Tribal Contractors who wish to receive Indian Preference must obtain certification by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ Indian Preference Office as a legitimate Indian-owned business prior to the submission of bids. In order to claim Indian Preference, proof of Indian Preference Certification must be included with your bid in the form of a copy of the certificate issued by the Indian Preference Office. Be advised, evidence of your membership or affiliation with a tribe does not constitute Indian Preference certification. The selection of the successful contractor and award of this project will be per the provisions of the CSKT Indian Preference Ordinance 101A. It is the sole responsibility of the bidder to obtain and provide proof of Indian Preference certification from the Indian Preference Office. For more information on Indian Preference certification, contact Melinda Charlo, (406) 675-2700 ext. 1045. --------------------------------------------------------For further information, please contact: Karen Renz, DHRD Finance & Grants Division Manager at (406) 675-2700 ext. 1345. 24 - January 5, 2022

Valley Journal

01-05-22 issue

Articles inside

Winter road safety

‘Calling Our Warriors’

Seniors

Obituaries

Valley Views