01-10-23 issue

$1.25

your homegrown newspaper January 10, 2024

Vol. 20, No. 17

Snow drought pg. 5

Transparency pg. 6

MAKING WAVES SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL

Polson Pirate swimmer Lachlan Sloan competes in the Boys 200 Yard Medley Relay during the team’s Jan. 5 home meet.

Growing Polson swim team looks to make another splash at state

By Summer Goddard Valley Journal

Sports pg. 16

POLSON — With a strong nucleus of eight returning swimmers and nine newcomers, the Pol-

son Pirate Swim Teams look to make a splash again this season after wrapping up last year with a second-place overall state medal for boys swimmers.

Girls and boys team scores combined earned Polson a second-place finish overall at the Pirates’ Jan. 5 home-hosted meet at the Mission Valley Aquatics Fitness

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

Center. Both boys and girls teams finished fourth individually with numerous swimmers clocking top 3 finishes.

“As of now, we have a very strong team,” Head

Coach Morgan Zimmer said, adding that she’s pleased with how her team is growing – both in numbers and camaraderie. “All of our swimmers see page 2

CSKT Tribal Council executive team selected

Polson Pirate senior swimmers (from left) August Hertz, Kyle Alexander and Hayden Clairmont were recognized for their achievements and contributions to their team during senior night prior to the start of the Jan. 5 meet.

By Gwen Lankford, CSKT Executive Communications

swim team

Boys 100 Yard Breaststroke 5th – Hayden Ricks, 1:19.94

from page 1

from last year have really stepped up and helped get new swimmers up to speed.”

“A lot of team members are (Mission Valley Aquatics) club swimmers who’ve started young and continued on to the high school swim team,” Zimmer said. “Swimming is a unique sport.

Swimmers use every muscle in their body at the same time … and have to strengthen their lungs before they can increase speed in the water.”

The endurance aspect, Zimmer added, makes swimming useful for cross training - improving an athlete’s performance in other sports.

As her program continues to grow, Zimmer said she hopes to host additional home meets – increasing from one to two or three next year. As for the current season, Polson Pirate swimmers will compete in three more meets, 2 - January 10, 2024

Girls 400 Yard Freestyle Relay 3rd – Kena Sutton, Adi Montgomery, Anastasia Hertz, Dixie Montgomery, 4:59.10 Combined Team Scores – Through Event 22 2nd – Polson High School, 413.5 Jan. 6 Butte meet: Girls 200 Yard Freestyle 11th – Anastasia Hertz, 2:36.96 13th – Adi Montgomery, 2:46.32 Boys 200 Yard Freestyle 4th – Teague McElwee, 1:57.90 11th – Hayden Ricks, 2:12.83 17th – Isaac Kinnick, 2:48.54 18th – Kyle Alexander, 3:07.07 Girls 50 Yard Freestyle 27th – Adi Montgomery, 33.50 33rd – Kena Sutton, 34.81 Boys 50 Yard Freestyle 10th – Hayden Ricks, 26.59 Boys 100 Yard Butterfly 4th – Gus Hertz, 58.92 BOB GUNDERSON PHOTO

Polson Lady Pirate swimmer Dixie Montgomery competes during the Jan. 5 home meet.

Boys 100 Yard Freestyle 5th – Lachlan Sloan, 55.84 7th – Truman Sawyer, 56.29 18th – Josh Reed, 1:09.59 Boys 500 Yard Freestyle 6th – Truman Sawyer, 5:55.59 11th – Josh Reed, 7:23.89

in Kalispell, Butte and Missoula, prior to Feb. 10 state competition in Great Falls.

Pirate swim results Jan. 5 Polson meet:

Boys 200 Yard IM 1st – Gus Hertz, 2:10.44 3rd – Truman Sawyer, 2:18.09 Girls 50 Yard Freestyle 12th – Laurielee Truex, 32.62 Boys 50 Yard Freestyle 1st – Teague McElwee, 22.73 3rd – Gus Hertz, 24.52 12th – Josh Reed, 29.16 16th – Kyle Alexander, 32.19

Boys 200 Yard Medley Relay 2nd – Gus Hertz, Truman Sawyer, Lachlan Sloan, Teague McElwee, 1:51.69

Girls 100 Yard Butterfly 2nd – Dixie Montgomery, 1:32.46

Girls 200 Yard Freestyle 9th – Kena Sutton, 2:55.49

Boys 100 Yard Butterfly 1st – Teague McElwee, 56.02 2nd – Truman Sawyer, 1:02.66 3rd – Lachlan Sloan, 1:04.81

Boys 200 Yard Freestyle 3rd – Lachlan Sloan, 2:09.05 7th – Josh Reed, 2:32.66

Girls 100 Yard Freestyle

7th – Adi Montgomery, 1:11.98 13th – Laurielee Truex, 1:17.87 Boys 100 Yard Freestyle 9th – Hayden Ricks, 59.90 17th – Isaac Kinnick, 1:11.83 18th – Kyle Alexander, 1:12.98 Girls 500 Yard Freestyle 4th – Anastasia Hertz, 6:57.40 5th – Dixie Montgomery, 7:10.51 Girls 200 Yard Freestyle Relay 4th – Laurielee Truex, Kena Sutton, Anastasia Hertz, Dixie Montgomery, 2:09.82 Boys 100 Yard Backstroke 9th – Isaac Kinnick, 1:20.75 Girls 100 Yard Breaststroke 5th – Anastasia Hertz, 1:36.73 6th – Adi Montgomery, 1:39.58 9th – Kena Sutton, 1:44.50

Valley Journal

Boys 200 Yard Freestyle Relay 5th – Kyle Alexander, Isaac Kinnick, Josh Reed, Hayden Ricks, 1:59.15 Girls 100 Yard Backstroke 17th – Anastasia Hertz, 1:26.80 Girls 100 Yard Breaststroke 16th – Kena Sutton, 1:43.12 Boys 100 Yard Breaststroke 5th – Teague McElwee, 1:07.68 9th – Gus Hertz, 1:14.57 11th – Lachlan Sloan, 1:17.92 Boys 400 Yard Freestyle Relay 3rd – Gus Hertz, Truman Sawyer, Lachlan Sloan, Teague McElwee, 3:40.13 8th – Kyle Alexander, Isaac Kinnick, Josh Reed, Hayden Ricks, 4:40.94

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PABLO — On Jan. 5, 2024, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council selected Michael Dolson (Hot Springs District), to be the new Tribal Chairman for the Tribes.

Tom McDonald (At-Large District) was selected to be Vice Chairman; Martin Charlo (Pablo District) was selected to continue in a leadership role as Secretary; and Jame Steele, Jr. (St. Ignatius District) was selected as Treasurer.

Deliberation by the newly seated Tribal Council, and internal voting for the executive leadership, came after the swearing in of recently elected Tribal Council members, with terms through 2028, and that include Michael Dolson; James “Bing” Matt (At-Large District); Martin Charlo; James Steele, Jr.; and Danielle Matt (Dixon District).

The newly seated join fellow council members, whose terms end in 2026, and include Tom McDonald; Jim Malatare (Arlee District); Jennifer Finley (Polson District); Len Twoteeth (Elmo District); and Carole Lankford (Ronan District).

The executive leadership, including the Chairmanship, is a two-year appointment.

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This Week’s Weather Forecast Wednesday Jan. 10

Thursday Jan. 11

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Jan. 12

Jan. 13

Jan. 14

29/8°

12°/-9°

-1/-10°

3°/-9°

3°/-3°

Snow Showers 44% chance precipitation

Snow Showers 49% chance precipitation

AM Snow Showers 32% chance precipitation

Mostly Cloudy 24% chance precipitation

Mostly Cloudy 21% chance precipitation

Monday

Tuesday

Jan. 15

9°/4°

Jan. 16

Partly Cloudy 21% chance precipitation

19°/12°

Snow Showers 39% chance precipitation

Flathead Lake Level 2888.97 (4.03 ft below full pool)

WED

1/10

8:21 am

5:04 pm

8:21 am

3:53 pm

THUR

1/11

8:23 am

5:05 pm

9:12 am

5:12 pm

FRI

1/12

8:23 am

5:06 pm

9:51 am

6:40 pm

SAT

1/13

8:22 am

5:08 pm

10:19 am

8:08 pm

SUN

1/14

8:22 am

5:09 pm

10:41 am

9:33 pm

Precipitation 0.13 inches

MON 1/15

8:21 am

5:10 pm

11:00 am

10:55 pm

Record High 51° F

TUES

8:20 am

5:12 pm

11:17 am

none

1/16

Valley Journal

Today in History Jan. 10, 2022 High 32° F Low 29° F

Record Low -21° F January 10, 2024 - 3

contents Snow drought................5 Sports schedules.........12 Local order vacated.......8 Seniors........................18 Newspaper pages.........9 Calendar......................20 Valley Views.................10 Classifieds.................. 22 balance

And find us online for

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more photos, videos, breaking news and special sections!

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Boone Goddard

Summer Goddard

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

Publisher, Owner (406) 249-1793 summer@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 10, 2024

SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL

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

2024 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 2024, 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.

“

CBS News interviews MSU expert about ‘snow drought’ in western U.S. From MSU News Service

BOZEMAN – Montana State University assistant professor Eric Sproles, an expert on snow and water science, told a national audience Tuesday that this year’s warm, dry weather in the western United States is exactly what scientists would expect to see given current conditions in the Pacific Ocean.

Sproles, in a live interview with CBS anchor Errol Barnett, said the weather is warmer and drier than usual because of the periodic phenomenon known as El Niño, which causes warm waters in the Pacific to push the jet stream south of its usual position. El Niño results in mild winters in the northern U.S. and wetter conditions in the Gulf Coast and southeast

(In the western U.S.) snow is our savings account.”

- Eric Sproles, MSU assistant professor, expert on snow and water science

regions of the country.

Sproles said during the network’s “Climate Watch” segment that when precipitation does occur in an El Niño year, it’s often in the form of rain rather than snow, resulting in below average snowpacks.

In the western U.S., Sproles said, “snow is our savings account” that slowly recharges groundwater and streams as it melts in the warmer months. A dry winter may impact agricul-

ture and hydropower generation later in the year, he said.

Asked whether the West should brace for a difficult wildfire season ahead, Sproles said a lack of snow may enhance fire conditions but that it’s too soon to make fire predictions.

He said recognizing that a drought is occurring can help western communities evaluate whether they will need to “tighten the belt a little bit”

COURTESY PHOTO

MSU assistant professor Eric Sproles was interviewed on Jan. 2 by CBS News about the “snow drought” in the western U.S.

in terms of water usage in the months ahead.

Sproles is an assistant professor in MSU’s Department of Earth Sciences in the College

of Letters and Scienceand director of the Geospatial Snow, Water and Ice Resources Lab and Geospatial Core Facility.

Warm weather, lack of precipitation results in a slow start to winter News from the Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation Service

BOZEMAN — “Warm temperatures and lack of precipitation over the last couple months have resulted in a bleak start to the seasonal snowpack in Montana and northern Wyoming river basins,” said Eric Larson, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Water Supply Specialist.

Water year 2024 began with a mid-October snowstorm that brought about two to five inches of precipitation to part

FILE PHOTO

of northern Wyoming and southern Montana.

Totals from that storm were less across the rest

of Montana, particularly in the northwest where river basins such as the Kootenai, Lower Clark

Fork, Flathead, and Saint Mary only received less than an inch of precipitation and less than half

Valley Journal

of their normal October precipitation.

“Precipitation was largely absent during November and December, except in northwest Montana which received reasonable precipitation during the first half of November and December,” said Larson. Twomonth precipitation in that region was about 75% to 100% of normal. SNOTEL sites in the northern Whitefish Mountain Range received about 130% of normal precipitation over the two months. Across the rest of the region November and December precipi-

tation was about 40% to 60% of normal, except in the Bighorn Mountains and Helena area where precipitation was about 35% to 45% of normal.

Water year precipitation currently ranges from about 55% to 80% of normal on the west side of the Continental Divide to about 100% to 115% of normal in the Bighorn, Powder, and Tongue River basins, “which is only above normal because of the large mid-October storm,” said Larson. Water year precipitation has been lowest in the Sun, Teton, and see page 7

January 10, 2024 - 5

slow start to winter from page 5

Marias River basins at about 50% of normal. Central, southcentral, and southwest Montana have received about 65% to 80% of normal precipitation since Oct. 1.

As of Jan. 1, 2024, Montana’s seasonal snowpack ranges from about 25% of normal in Sun, Teton, and Marias River basins to about 75% of normal in the Bighorn, with most basins reporting less than 60% of normal snowpack conditions. The maximum snow depth across the region is currently about 36 to 38 inches in Glacier and Yellowstone National Park and surrounding areas, which is about 10 to 12 inches of snow water equivalent and is 60% to 80% of normal. In addition, “about 110 of 175 NRCS snow stations measured on January 1 are reporting their lowest or second lowest snowpack on record. Some of those records date back nearly 90 years,” said Larson.

There are three to four months remaining in the normal snowpack accumulation season. Current snowpack deficits are generally about two to four inches, with a couple exceptions at upper elevations in Montana where deficits are closer to seven to nine inches of snow water equivalent below normal. “It would take a major change in what the last couple months brought for weather, but it’s still early and current deficits could be recovered in a couple large storms,” said Larson. Regardless winter weather needs to arrive soon.

The further winter progresses with below normal precipitation, the more challenging it will become to make up from a lack of snow.

A full report of conditions on Jan. 1 can be found in the monthly Water Supply Outlook Report available on the Montana Snow Survey website. In addition, real-time snow survey data can be found at: nrcs. usda.gov/montana/snow-survey.

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6 - January 10, 2024

Transparency project to help Montanans navigate right to know A group of law students and activists hopes to educate the public and help everyday people with public records requests.

by Arren Kimbel-Sannit, Montana Free Press CANVA PHOTO

A group of Montana law students and young activists launched an organization last week to help facilitate freedom-of-information requests and to educate both the public and policymakers on the state Constitution’s right to know.

The founders of the Montana Transparency Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, say they want to complement the state’s existing landscape of FOI resources — namely, attorneys — by helping everyday Montanans with the initial steps of requesting public information from their government.

“We realized that it can be really hard to know what’s the best way to do this, what’s the timeline, will it cost money, what questions to ask,” said Jacob Linfesty, the organization’s president and a Harvard Law School student originally from Billings. “If you’re an average Montanan, if you don’t have connections, a lawyer, these questions are hard to answer.”

The idea for the project hatched when Linfesty was working with the group’s

now-secretary, Claremont McKenna College senior Caroline Bullock, and now-treasurer, University of Wisconsin law student Lydia Dal Nogare, at the Helena non-profit public interest law firm Upper Seven last summer. The trio, working as non-attorney associates, assisted in some First Amendment and freedom-of-information cases, Linfesty said, and saw some of the challenges that people can face when requesting even the most basic public information.

“A lot of Montanas don’t know they even have a right to know,” Linfesty said.

Soon, the nascent group grew to include two additional University of Montana law students, now-vice president Lauren Halverson and now-communications chair Addie Slanger. Even outside of Upper Seven, an influential law firm that often files constitutional challenges against the state, the group has some notable connections in Montana’s political sphere: Caroline Bullock is Valley Journal

the daughter of former Democratic Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, and Addie Slanger is the daughter of attorney Sean Slanger, a lobbyist whose clients have included the State Bar of Montana.

Linfesty said Thursday the group’s work will be non-partisan, though not necessarily non-political.

The Montana Transparency Project’s website features a page-long non-partisanship policy, which states the group “will not assist candidates, campaigns, ballot measure campaigns, political parties, independent committees … or any other group organized exclusively or primarily for political purposes … with information requests.”

The group may make some of its own requests, the policy states, if the release of the relevant information would foster the public’s confidence in political institutions, allow for the examination of public expenditures, maintain accountability for officials, prevent secret government conduct, and support the right to know and “the other

rights enshrined in the …

Constitution.”

A form on the project’s website allows those seeking assistance to generally describe the information they’re looking for and what kind of help they need. From there, Linfesty and his colleagues would help them format, refine and target their request to receive the best result possible in the least amount of time.

This would be a help for not just members of the public but also public information officers, who sometimes receive requests that for various reasons are not “administrable,” Linfesty said.

“We’ve had a lot of conversations with [public information officers], and one issue that’s important is the administration of the right to know for Montanas to make a request,” Linfesty said.

“PIOs often get requests that are hard to understand what they’re looking for, or it yields 10,000 pages as a response, which isn’t helpful to the requestor.”

On the flip side, he said, it’s also important to educate government officials about their obligations under the law.

As nobody in the group — for now, at least — is licensed to practice law, the project will not (and, legally, cannot) offer legal advice. That sets it apart from the Montana Freedom of Information Hotline, which is connected to attorney Mike Meloy, or from non-profit firms like Upper Seven.

see page 7

transparency project from page 6

Linfesty said the organization’s primary focus will be on “step one of the information process,” while the hotline generally works with people further along the way.

“The Montana Transparency Project will complement the free services the Montana Freedom of Information Hotline provides through Right to Know specialist Peter ‘Mike’ Meloy, a veteran Helena attorney,” the hotline’s chairwoman, Choteau Acantha editor Melody Martinsen, said in a press release announcing the transparency project’s launch.

“MTP will provide another option for citizens, particularly, to receive free, non-attorney assistance in filing requests for public documents, which can be confusing and frustrating for people new to the process.”

Linfesty said that the money for the project’s startup costs came from the founding quintet’s pockets, but they’ll be soliciting grants and donations in the future.

“It’s not funded by any outside interest. It’s funded by our own interest in securing the promise of the Montana Constitution,” he said.

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Apply now for Smith River permits Changes coming for the 2024 season News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks

HELENA — Floaters hoping for a Smith River permit can apply through Feb. 14. However, a few changes are coming this year that applicants should be aware of.

Celebrated for its spectacular scenery, remote location and excellent trout fishing, the Smith River is one of Montana’s most sought-after outdoor recreation experiences. Permits are required to float the 59-mile section of river between Camp Baker and Eden Bridge and are issued each year through a lottery. Parties of up to 15 people can float with one permit. A person applying for a Smith River permit must be a minimum of 12 years of age at the time they submit their permit application.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff will remove pit toilets at the boat camps along the Smith River during the spring of 2024. All float parties, private and commercial, will be required to pack out their human waste

All float parties, private and commercial, will be required to pack out their human waste from the Smith River corridor. from the Smith River corridor. This requirement is similar to many other river systems in the West and necessary to keep the corridor pristine for visitors now and for decades to come. The rules implementing this pack-out system were passed by the Montana Parks Board in early 2022.

Floaters will need to pack portable toilet systems. To see a list of FWP-approved, portable, hard-sided toilets that will be allowed go to: https://fwp. mt.gov. Alternative waste disposal systems, including bag systems, such as Clean Waste and RESTOP2, will not be allowed.

Floaters can clean and sanitize their portable toilet system with a SCAT (Sanitizing Containers with Alternative Technology) machine, which has been installed at the Eden Bridge take-out.

“Removal of the pit toilets will not

only help reduce impacts to natural and cultural resources, but also allow more time for the river rangers to focus on other duties, such as public safety and recreation ecology projects like noxious weed control and stabilizing erosion at boat camp landings,” said Colin Maas, FWP Recreation Manager for the Smith River.

2024 is the first-year applicants can buy a bonus point for the Smith River Permit. A bonus point is essentially an extra chance you can purchase for the permit drawing. These points accumulate year after year if you are unsuccessful in the drawing. Residents can purchase a bonus point for $5; nonresidents can purchase a bonus point for $50. The bonus point is applied to your application the year it is purchased.

You can apply for a permit through FWP’s online licensing system.

Also starting in 2024, the number of permits available for nonresidents may not exceed 10 percent of the available permits. This new law was passed as part of House Bill 846 in the 2023 Legislative Session.

For more information on these and other changes go to: https://fwp. mt.gov/smith-river.

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Call (406) 676-4441 or visit www.stlukehealthcare.org Valley Journal

January 10, 2024 - 7

“

State supreme court vacates local judge’s order, restores child custody to mother

By Summer Goddard Valley Journal

HELENA — On Jan. 2, 2024, the Montana Supreme Court vacated a Sept. 19, 2023, Lake County District Court order made by Judge Deborah Kim Christopher that removed a five-year-old child from his mother and awarded full time custody for the next five years to his out-of-state father.

Shanna Spring ManyWounds, of Elmo, and Jonathan Carlton Whyte, a resident of Oregon, were engaged in mediation of a parenting plan for their five-year-old son C.L.W. that came to a hearing over which Judge Christopher presided last fall.

Whyte had petitioned the court for a formal parenting plan in April of 2023. In Sept.

2023, following mediation with Judge Christopher’s law clerk, ManyWounds and Whyte, who represented themselves, had agreed to all but two points of a parenting proposal Whyte had drafted. Ultimately at issue were: fully implementing the custody split by 2025 (ManyWounds argued the time frame should be determined by C.L.W.’s comfort) and a passport so Whyte could bring the child to visit extended family in his native country of Jamaica.

ManyWounds wanted to wait until the child was 14 to get a passport.

According to the MSC’s order, during Sept. 11, 2023, hearing proceedings ManyWounds “explained that she was concerned about ‘jumping into’ sending C.L.W. to Oregon too quickly because she, felt that Whyte and C.L.W. had ‘essentially . . . no relation8 - January 10, 2024

We conclude that here, the District Court erred as a matter of law because it failed to determine a partenting plan in accordance with the best interest of (the child).”

- Montana Supreme Court order for OP 23-0629

ship.’”Additionally, “Whyte advised the court that he was proposing that, for the next two years, he wanted ‘to be more involved, then after the two years I would have him for the next summers after that.’

Whyte’ further advised the court that he understood that for the next two years, those visits would occur in Montana.”

During the hearing Judge Christopher stated Whyte’s proposed plan was “a better deal than you’re going to get from me.” She ultimately transferred sole custody of the child immediately to his father for five years and ordered no contact with his mother until unspecified therapy Whyte was ordered to provide for C.L.W. deemed it appropriate. In response ManyWounds petitioned the Montana Supreme Court on a Oct. 24, 2023, for a write of supervisory control and to vacate Judge Christopher’s ruling.

According to the MCS order, Judge Christopher did not take into consideration “continuity and stability of care,” going so far as to ignore the advice of her own expert, who stated, “this child needs both parents and each in their own way.” MCS also found that Judge Christopher ignored her own expert’s advice of it being

“very important” to the child’s wellbeing that ManyWounds accompany him to the father’s residence in Oregon. Instead Judge Christopher ordered the immediate full custody be given to his father.

The order futher states, “In this case, the parties came before the court to resolve minor disagreements between their proposed parenting plans. At the outset, Judge Christopher stated that she found Whyte’s proposed parenting plan to be very reasonable … However, for reasons that are not apparent from the transcript, as the hearing progressed Judge Christopher became increasingly upset with the parties’ de facto_custody arrangement, intensifying her criticism of ManyWounds while extolling Whyte’s perceived virtues. In her response to this petition, Judge Christopher acknowledged that she found the matter ‘shockingly disturbing’ and found herself unable (to finish her draft of the Parenting Plan for several weeks after the hearing because ‘there was significant emotion in the draft’ and she felt the need to ‘review the case with more judicial temperament.’ In the Parenting Plan itself, Judge Christopher writes that she did not issue the Parenting Plan for almost Valley Journal

two months ‘until some of the dust and emotions cleared from one of the most odd, painful and difficult hearings ever held by this Court in 23 years.’”

The order states, “Judge Christopher’s lack of meaningful consideration of the § 40-4-212, MCA, factors in relation to C.L.W.’s best interests is further illustrated by what she did not ask in the hearing. After making her ruling that transferred sole custody of C.L.W. to Whyte, she then inquired of Whyte, for the first time, whether anyone else resided in the home with him.

At no time did she inquire as to the safety or stability of his residence, if he had a bed for C.L.W., his work schedule, or any other details that would indicate that he was adequately prepared to accept immediate long-term, sole custody of a five-year-old child, beyond his apparent willingness to do so.

Her only pre-ruling inquiry was whether Whyte had a car seat. Upon learning he did not, ManyWounds then offered to transfer hers into Whyte’s vehicle. The court further ordered ManyWounds to return home,

gather C.L.W.’s belongings, and deliver them to the court for Whyte to pick up.”

In a unanimous decision handed down on Jan. 3, 2024, Montana Supreme Court justices wrote, “We conclude that here, the District Court erred as a matter of law because it failed to determine a parenting plan in accordance with the best interest of C.L.W. Instead, Judge Christopher created a parenting plan whose stated purposes were to punish ManyWounds for the court’s belief that she had treated Whyte unfairly, to reward Whyte because she found him likeable, and to deliberately subject C.L.W. to potential trauma in a misguided attempt to ‘develop the stress muscles’ of a child that the court believed had been overly protected by his mother and grandmother.”

The Montana Supreme Court’s Jan. 2 order restored custody to ManyWounds until a final parenting plan is issued, the cause and jurisidiction of which was reassigned to Twentieth Judicial District Court Judge Molly Owen.

births Tinsley Small-Tushka RONAN — Tinsley Jean Small-Tushka was born on Dec. 20, 2023, at the St. Luke New Beginnings Birth Center. She measured 8 pounds, 3ounces and 21 inches Tinsley long. Parents are Kristin Small and Jeremy Small-Tushka Tushka of Ronan. Paternal grandmother is Velma Tushka of Billings. Maternal grandparents are Sam and Betty Small of Browning. Tinsley joins siblings, Muriel, Luccio, Mathias, and Sean.

More newspaper pages available through MTHS Library & Archives Project News from the Montana Historical Society

HELENA — Two newspaper digitization projects will improve and expand access to historical Montana newspapers, which is one of the most used collections at the Montana Historical Society (MTHS).

This latest project through the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP) makes more than 100,000 pages available online for free and includes newspapers from towns on or near reservations in Montana.

This is the fifth time the MTHS received a grant to be part of the NDNP, a partnership between the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress to enhance access to historical American newspapers.

“The project we just completed includes newspapers from Browning, Harlem, Hot Springs, and Poplar, marking the first time

that papers from these towns are accessible and searchable online,” noted Library Manager Dan Karalus, who headed the project.

Montana newspapers from all the NDNP projects, totaling more than 400,000 pages, are available on the Library of Congress’s Chronicling America website: www.loc.gov/collections/chronicling-america/.

The second project, a partnership with Newspapers.com, included digitizing 5,000-plus microfilm reels of newspapers from more than 200 Montana cities and towns.

The MTHS now offers a free Public Access Portal where online users can search through nearly 2.5 million pages of historical Montana newspapers. The portal includes all the content migrated from its Montana Newspapers website, most material from Chronicling America, and some newly digitized newspapers in the public domain.

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Imagine the Difference You Can Make Vehicle donations are fully tax-deductible and the proceeds help provide services to help the blind and visually impaired.

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pages and more than 650 titles via the Newspapers.com Onsite Portal, available in person in the Reference Room.

The available papers include short-lived titles, like the Flaxville Democrat and its three issues published in 1920, and some of the longest-running papers in the state, such as The Madisonian out of Virginia City, which has 150 years of digitized issues.

Today, the MTHS can offer digital access

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as often,” he said.

As part of the MTHS agreement with Newspapers.com, the company performed the digitization work in exchange for access rights for a period of three years. After that time, digitized newspapers in the public domain will shift over to the Public Access Portal and be available online from anywhere.

Individuals with research questions may submit a research request via the MTHS website: mhs.mt.gov/ Research/ResearchRequests or by e-mail to mthslibrary@mt.gov.

estern Montana 20 W GRAZING & 24 AGRICULTURE C O N F E R E N C E

January 25th & 26th

Walt is a very sweet boy with the cutest sounding “Meow.” Extremely affectionate, he longs to be in a home with someone who will give him all the attention all the time!

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FREE TOWING & TAX DEDUCTIBLE

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The portal replaces the Montana Newspapers website, which the MTHS plans to shut down in early 2024, saving significant costs.

To access the new portal, go to: mths.mt.gov/ Research/collections/ newspapers/mtnews and click on the Newspapers.com Public Access Portal link.

When the MTHS reopens to the public, visitors to the Library & Archives will have free access to more than 12 million newspaper

to newspapers published in every Montana county.

“This is huge,” Karalus said. “Researchers used to visit us and spend hours scrolling through microfilm.

But when we reopen in 2025, they can come here and just do a keyword search.”

Karalus adds that this improves access and preservation, as the microfilm collection will see less use. “We will still have to use microfilm for some more recent papers under copyright, but we probably won’t hear the microfilm readers rewinding

Missoula County Fairgrounds PLANNED SESSIONS INCLUDE:

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SCAN TO REGISTER Hosted by:

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(406) 676-8610 www.westernmontanaland.com Valley Journal

LakeCountyConservationDistrict.org January 10, 2024 - 9

valley views Winter without snow – a wake-up call W

e all have our rea- won’t be nearly enough to sons for getting snowmobile on. We might alarmed about the climate not even break out our crisis. With bare ground shovels. at Christmas and no snow For context, on a ‘normal’ on the horizon, my neighyear, by the time the secbors just got ond week of theirs. This January plungNorthern es to -20°F in

by Rivera Sun, Syndicated Columnist for Peace Voice Maine valley the daytime, nestles against we keep warm the border of by hurling the Canada – and winter with- latest 6-inch snowfall up out snow is unfathomable. over the 4-foot embankSnowmobiling is a big ments along the driveway. deal around here. While Bare ground at this time of most of Maine suffers its year is head-spinning. tourist season along with This is the climate crisis. the blackflies and summer Just down the road, the sunburns, my neck of our older gentleman who advast woods gets its annual amantly argued with me rush of visitors when the at the post office, denying snow starts flying. the reality of global warmThey come to these ing, must be scratching northern reaches with their his head. A disquieted snowmobiles on trailers to wondering must be going go joyriding over our endthrough him as he stares at less miles of trail system. the greenish grass.

There’s a breathless thrill It’s okay to change your to speeding over three feet mind, I want to murmur of glorious snow at 30-80 to him. Millions of Amermph. icans are doing the same But not this year. The thing. local hospitality bookings They’re seeing their relaplummeted with cancellatives evacuate their homes tions when 40°F pouring as forest fires – intensified rain melted our paltry through drought – burn snow in mid-December. closer and closer. They’re My neighbors stare forworried about older friends lornly at the bare ground in the extreme heat that and reluctantly concede to gets worse each summer. taking their four-wheelers They’re sending money out instead of the snowto church groups that help mobiles. with flood relief when The weather forecast the 500-year floods strike is freakishly sunny and twice in a decade. They’re the 1-2 inches hesitantly looking at the faces of their projected for the New Year children and grandchildren

Peace Voice

10 - January 10, 2024

and realizing that the dire predictions of climate scientists are not an abstract future anymore.

It’s the reality that their most precious loved ones will face. What will his grandchildren live through?

Up by the beautiful lake, where the ice-fishing shacks are still lined up on the shore waiting for the ice to thicken up enough to drive on, the local politicians - who have been ignoring the climate crisis like ostriches with their heads in the sand – must be tossing and turning with unease. Is it too late to do something? What can they do?

In the 100-year-old farmhouse that has sheltered seven generations of potato farmers, the mother of three children and eight grandchildren is wrestling with the contradictions of our culture. She wants to preserve her farm and worried about low yields after a hot, rainy summer.

She just got back from visiting one of her farflung kids at Christmas.

They say flying is one of the worst things for the environment. If she wants to save the farm, will she have to give up visiting her kids?

You can almost hear similar thoughts rumbling through our valley: Is this normal? (No.) Should we do something? Petition

public officials? Hold a protest? Let the kids go on school strike? What will make a difference? Does any of it really matter?

(The answer to the last two questions is yes, by the way. Your actions now do make a difference and they do matter to the future of humanity.)

In 2024, we need to ask ourselves these kinds of uncomfortable – and sometimes downright terrifying – questions. What will we give up so that humanity and the planet can have a livable future? What kinds of change will we embrace with open arms so that our children can have a fighting chance of survival? What will we do today, tomorrow, and the next day to make a shift to a sustainable society?

There are sacrifices to be made, of course. Families are taking on debt to convert their houses to renewables. Utilities are investing in the switch. Companies have to go out on a limb to push their industry to change. We cannot sustain the level of air travel we currently enjoy. And yes, it is possible that we can’t justify the energy expense of pleasure-riding on snowmobiles.

But if giving up your snowmobile could ensure a future for your children, would you do it? I know I would.

On the other hand, there

Valley Journal

is a future – a beautiful one – waiting for us. It is healthy, clean, hopeful.

And it’s already on its way.

That potato farming mother has a solar farm in one of her fields.

This year, those local politicians worked with our state rep to secure $35 million to restore fish habitat for endangered alewives, trout, and Atlantic salmon.

Even my climate-denying neighbor put in a heat pump last year, grumbling about the jacked-up price of oil.

We need to escalate these kinds of actions exponentially. There is something for all of us to do.

Maybe you are a local loan officer who can approve energy efficiency loans to homeowners.

Or a senior citizen with a retirement fund you can divest from fossil fuels.

Perhaps you are a company manager who could cut back on-air travel for your industry.

Or an alumnus of a university that could make the switch to renewable power.

You may serve on a church committee that could help people prioritize care of the Earth this year.

Or maybe you’re on a school board, town council, or county commission that could pass important climate measures.

There are countless ac-

tions that we can take. And we must take them. Now, not next year. Let The Winter Without Snow be a wake-up call for all of us.

There isn’t a moment to waste. see page 11

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.

New Year brings lower taxes to Montanans T

here’s no way Republican legislators would rather ring in a new year than with lower taxes, and that’s exactly what we’ve done to kick off 2024.

As of January 1st, Montanans of all income levels are now paying lower income taxes, thanks to legislation that just went into effect.

Those tax savings will be felt either on upcoming paychecks or when you file your 2024 taxes next year, depending on where and how you get paid.

Senate Bill 399, passed in the 2021 legislative session, made a number of changes to simplify Montana’s income tax system. It has the effect of completely

wake-up call from page 10

Rivera Sun, syndicated by PeaceVoice, has written numerous books, including The Dandelion Insurrection and the award-winning Ari Ara Series. She is the editor of Nonviolence News and the Program Coordinator for Campaign Nonviolence and a nationwide trainer in strategy for nonviolent campaigns.

vj

Legislative Notes

Sen. Greg Hertz

eliminating income taxes for between 50,000 and 90,000 of the lowest income Montanans, such as parents or retirees who only work part time. It’s the biggest possible tax cut for the lowest-earning 70,000 (give or take) Montanans, bringing their income taxes to $0.

Senate Bill 121, passed in the 2023 legislative session, cut Montana’s top income tax rate from 6.5% to 5.9% and increased the Earned-Income Tax

letters

Women don’t want government controlling their bodies Editor, Abortion has become a “hot topic” in our country

Sen. Becky Beard

Sen. Jason Ellsworth

Credit (EITC) from 3% to 10%. Most Montanans with full-time jobs pay the top rate, meaning most income-earning Montanans will now pay lower taxes.

For those with lower incomes, they’ll also pay less taxes due to the higher EITC. In total, SB 121 provides about $170 million in annual, ongoing tax relief. Conservatives serving in the Legislature understand that your income is your money, not the govern-

these days. The Republicans who have been pushing this issue now wish it would go away.

But it won’t, apparently.

Abortion, also known as “Reproductive Health Care,” has captured the

ment’s, and you should keep as much of your income as possible.

Two things made these tax cuts possible: responsible, conservative management of the state’s budget, and Republicans serving in the Legislature. Regarding the latter point, Democrats uniformly voted against both SB 399 and SB 121. These tax cuts came only from Republicans.

Regarding the first point: unlike property taxes, income taxes are directly controlled by the Legislature and are the primary source of funding for state government. Nearly all of the tax relief provided by the Legislature recently, including these per-

manent tax cuts as well as both the income tax rebates and the property tax “rebates” that went out last year, were paid for with income taxes.

Let us repeat that: the $675 property tax “rebates” that the Legislature provided for both 2023 and 2024 were not actually “rebates” of property tax dollars.

They were in fact funded by a state budget surplus of income tax dollars.

We directed nearly $400 million of excess income tax dollars to go to property tax relief because we know Montanans are suffering from high property taxes. But the state’s surplus didn’t come from property taxes; property taxes don’t fund the state’s budget.

What property taxes fund are county, city, and school budgets, which the Legislature does not control.

We’re going to continue working on property tax relief beyond what the Legislature has already done, but it’s important for Montanans to understand that anything the Legislature does on property taxes is in response to local governments’ and schools’ needs and budgets, not state government spending.

Sen. Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, is the President of the Montana Senate. Sen. Becky Beard, R-Elliston, is the sponsor of SB 121. Sen. Greg Hertz, R-Polson, is the sponsor of SB 399.

attention of women all over our nation, Republicans and Democrats alike.

Women who do not

want governmental agencies telling them what to do with their bodies are engaged in a powerful political movement.

“Live and learn,” gentlemen.

Bob McClellan Polson

NOTICE OF HIRING MEETING Charlo School District 7J Board of Trustees intends to hire Carlee Fryberger, granddaughter of Trustee LaDonna Fryberger, as assistant track coach. This hiring will take place at the regular Board meeting on January 16, 2024 at 7:00pm in the Charlo School Library.

Valley Journal

January 10, 2024 - 11

2024 winter Sports Schedule Sponsored by your Lake County Boosters

Wrestling

OPPONENT

LOCATION

TIME

DATE

DAY

OPPONENT

LOCATION

Dec 12

Tues

Bigfork

Bigfork

7:30 pm

Dec 15

Fri

Girls Duals/Mixer

Polson

Dec 19

Tues

Stevensville

Polson

7:30 pm

Dec 16

Sat

Corvallis Tournament

Corvallis

Hamilton

Polson

6 pm

Fri-Sat Western MT Duals

Ronan

Polson

6 pm

Dec 16 Dec 21

Jan 9

St. Ignatius (406) 745-3634

Boys Basketball DAY

Jan 4

MOUNTAIN VIEW

Polson

DATE

Jan 2

Polson Lube Center Expressvice 883-0055 Ser

Polson

Jan 13 Jan 16

Jan 20 Jan 25 Jan 30 Feb 3 Feb 6

Feb 10 Feb 13

Sat

Butte Central

Thurs

Beaverhead Co.

Tues

Thurs Tues Tues Sat

Tues

Libby

Polson

Sat

Tues Tues

Feb 22-24 Thurs-Sat Wed-Sat

Jan 4

6 pm

Jan 9

6 pm

Browning

Polson

Libby

Libby

Ronan

Polson

3 pm

Div. Play-In

TBD

TBD

State Tourney

Butte Civic Center TBD

Whitefish

Div. Tourney

8 pm

Polson

4 pm

Polson

7 pm

Col. Falls Whitefish

Dec 16

6 pm

Ronan

Col. Falls

Sat

6 pm

Varsity Ronan

Bigfork

Feb 15/17 Thurs/Sat Mar 7-9

Browning

Columbia Falls

Thurs

Dillon

Browning

Whitefish

Sat

Butte Central

6 pm 5:30 pm

7:30 pm 6 pm

Butte Civic Center TBD

Jan 5-6 Jan 9

Jan 11

Sat

Buzz Lucy

Thurs Duals: Brown., Bigfork, Stevi.

Tues Tues

Girls Duals/Mixer

5 pm

Eureka

9:30 am

Polson

5 pm

Hamilton

Boys Duals/Mixer

TIME

Bigfork

TBD

11 am 5 pm 5 pm

Thurs Duals: Col. Falls, Whitefish, Lake City Polson

5 pm

Jan 13

Sat

J. Fischer Invitational Msla. Big Sky

9 am

Jan 16

Tues

Ronan

Jan 12-13 Fri-Sat Msla. Rocky Mt. Classic

Sentinel

Jan 13

Hellgate

Sat

Hellgate Girls Tourney

Ronan

Jan 19-20 Fri-Sat Class A Duals Butte Jan 22

Mon

Jan 25

Thurs

Jan 23 Jan 27

Feb 2-3

Feb 8-10

Tues Sat

Fri-Sat

TBD

Girls Duals/Mixer

Beaverhead

Libby & Columbia Falls

9/11 am 8 am

6 pm TBD

Libby HS

5 pm

Browning

TBD

Billings

5 pm

FT Dual

Frenchtown 6/7 pm

Western A Divisional

Hamilton

Browning Tournament

Thurs-Sat State Tournament

3 pm/9 am

Girls Basketball Swimming

DATE

DAY

OPPONENT

LOCATION

TIME

Dec 12

Tues

Bigfork

Polson

7:30 pm

DATE

DAY

OPPONENT

Dec 19

Tues

Stevensville

Polson

6 pm

Dec 16

Sat

Missoula City Meet

Jan 6

Sat

Butte Invitational

Sat

Mining City Invitational Butte

Dec 16 Dec 21 Jan 2 Jan 4

Jan 9

Jan 13 Jan 16 Jan 20

Sat

Thur

Tues

Thurs

Tues Sat

Tues Sat

Jan 25

Thurs

Feb 3

Sat

Jan 30

Tues

Feb 6

Tues

Feb 13

Tues

Feb 10

Sat

Butte Central Beaverhead Co. Hamilton Browning

Whitefish Libby

Dillon

Polson

Browning Polson Polson

Ronan

Ronan

Browning

Polson

Libby

Libby

Col. Falls Bigfork

Col. Falls Bigfork

Col. Falls

Polson

Whitefish

Whitefish

Ronan

Feb 15/17

Thurs/Sat Divi. Play-In

Mar 7-9

Wed-Sat State Tourney

Feb 22-24

Butte Central

Thurs-Sat Div. Tourney

Polson TBD

4 pm 4 pm

4 pm

4 pm

7:30 pm

4 pm

4 pm 4 pm

Jan 5

Jan 13 Jan 20 Jan 27

Feb 9-10

Fri

Sat Sat Fri

LOCATION TIME Missoula

12 pm

Polson Invite

Polson

3:45 pm

Kalispell/Missoula

Kalispell

12 pm

Missoula Invitational

State Swim Meet

Butte

Missoula

Great Falls

12 pm 12 pm 12 pm

TBA

7:30 pm

7:30 pm 4 pm

7:30 pm 5 pm

7:30 pm

TBD

Butte Civic Center TBD

Butte Civic Center TBD

BOB GUNDERSON PHOTO

12 - January 10, 2024

Valley Journal

ARLEE

Mission

Boys Basketball DATE

DAY

OPPONENT LOCATION

Jan. 13 Sat Florence Jan. 19 Fri Anaconda Jan. 20 Sat Darby Jan. 26 Fri Deer Lodge Jan 27 Sat Charlo Jan 30 Tues Florence Feb 2 Fri Deer Lodge Feb 3 Sat Loyola Feb 9 Fri Anaconda Feb 10 Sat Darby Feb 15-17 Thurs-Sat Districts Feb 22-24 Thurs-Sat Divisionals Mar 7-9 Thurs-Sat State * Senior night Bold Home game Head Coach: Jason Maki

Arlee Anaconda Arlee Deer Lodge Charlo Florence Arlee Arlee *Arlee Darby Deer Lodge SKC Billings

Boys Basketball

TIME

DATE

6 pm 7:30 pm 4:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 6 pm 6:00 pm 5:30 pm TBA TBA TBA

Jan. 11 Thurs Eureka Jan. 12 Fri Troy Jan. 18 Thurs Plains Jan. 19 Fri Superior Jan 26 Fri Thompson Falls Jan 27 Sat Anaconda Feb 1 Thurs Eureka Feb 2 Fri Troy Feb 9 Fri Superior Feb 10 Sat Plains Feb 13 Tues 1st Rd. District 7-B Feb 16-17 Fri-Sat District 7-B Tourney Feb 22-24 Thurs-Sat Western B Divisionals Mar 7-9 Thurs-Sat Class B State Tourney * Senior night Bold Home game

DAY

OPPONENT LOCATION

Jan. 13 Sat Florence Jan. 19 Fri Anaconda Jan. 20 Sat Darby Jan. 26 Fri Deer Lodge Jan 27 Sat Charlo Jan 30 Tues Florence Feb 2 Fri Deer Lodge Feb 3 Sat Loyola Feb 9 Fri Anaconda Feb 10 Sat Darby Feb 15-17 Thurs-Sat Districts Feb 22-24 Thurs-Sat Divisionals Mar 7-9 Thurs-Sat State *Senior night Bold Home game Head Coach: Ross Coleman

Arlee Anaconda Arlee Deer Lodge Charlo Florence Arlee Arlee *Arlee Darby Deer Lodge SKC Billings

DATE TIME 4:30 pm 6:00 pm 6:00 pm 6:00 pm 6:00 pm 6:00 pm 6:00 pm 4:30 pm 7:30 pm 4:00 pm TBA TBA TBA

LOCATION Choteau Superior Thompson Falls Plains Arlee Arlee Mission Shellby Billings

TIME TBA 6 pm TBA TBA

6 pm 6 pm TBA TBA TBA

DAY

OPPONENT

Jan. 11 Thurs Eureka Jan. 12 Fri Troy Jan. 18 Thurs Plains Jan. 19 Fri Superior Jan 26 Fri Thompson Falls Jan 27 Sat Anaconda Feb 1 Thurs Eureka Feb 2 Fri Troy Feb 9 Fri Superior Feb 10 Sat Plains Feb 13 Tues 1st Rd. District 7-B Feb 16-17 Fri-Sat District 7-B Tourney Feb 22-24 Thurs-Sat Western B Divisionals Mar 7-9 Thurs-Sat Class B State Tourney * Senior night Bold Home game

Wrestling DATE DAY MEET Jan 12-13 Fri-Sat Choteau Classic Jan 16 Tues Superior Mixer Jan 20 Sat Ted Kato Memorial Jan 20 Sat Girls only Plains Tourney Jan 23 Tues Arlee Mixer Jan 25 Thurs Harry Hall Mixer Jan 27 Sat Mission Invitational Feb. 2-3 Fri-Sat Divisional Feb. 9-10 Fri-Sat State Bold Home game Head Coach: Paige Carney

OPPONENT

LOCATION

TIME

Mission Troy Mission Mission Mission Anaconda Eureka *Mission Superior Plains TBD Mission SKC Billings

5 pm 7:00 pm 7:30 pm 5:30 pm 7:00 pm 4:30 pm 6:30 pm 5:30 pm 5:30 pm 4:00 pm TBA TBA TBA TBA

Girls Basketballl

Girls Basketball DATE

DAY

LOCATION

TIME

Mission Troy Mission Mission Mission Anaconda Eureka *Mission Superior Plains TBD Mission SKC Billings

6:30 pm 5:30 pm 6:00 pm 7:00 pm 5:30 pm 3:00 pm 5:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 5:30 pm TBA TBA TBA TBA

BOB GUNDERSON PHOTO

Polson Lady Pirate basketball player Hinkley Moss drives to the basket.

Mission /Charlo Wrestling DATE Jan 12-13 Jan 13 Jan 16 Jan 20 Jan 23 Jan 27 Feb 2-3 Feb. 8-10

DAY Fri-Sat Fri Tues Sat Tuesday Sat Fri-Sat Thurs-Sat

MEET Jug Beck R.M. Classic Superior Superior Mixer Ted Kato Arlee Mixer Mission Tourney Western B/C Divisional State Wrestling Tourney

LOCATION Missoula/Sentinel Kalispell Superior Thompson Falls Arlee Mission Shelby Billings

TIME 10 am 10 pm 6 pm 9 am 6 pm 9 am TBA TBA BOB GUNDERSON PHOTO

Polson wrestler Araeya Nelson pins her opponent.

Valley Journal

January 10, 2024 - 13

DATE

Jan 12 Jan.13 Jan 16 Jan.20 Jan.25 Jan 27 Jan 29 Feb 1 Feb 3 Feb 8 Feb 10 Feb 15 Feb. 17 Feb 22-24 Mar 6-9

DAY

Fri Sat Tues Sat Thurs Sat Mon Thurs Sat Thurs Sat Thurs Sat Thurs-Sat Wed-Sat

RONAN

RONAN

Boys Basketball

Boys Wrestling

OPPONENT

LOCATION

Whitefish Ronan Browning-dble. header Ronan Polson-dble. header Ronan Bigfork Bigfork Col. Falls-dble. header Col. Falls Libby- dble. header Ronan Polson – C Squad Polson Whitefish Whitefish Browning-dble. header Browning Bigfork *Ronan Polson-dble. Header Polson Play-in-game High seed Play-in-game winners High seed Western A Div.isionals Butte State Basketball Butte

TIME

7:15 pm 2:30/4:15 pm 8 pm 4:15 pm 8 pm 1/2:30 pm 6 pm 5:45/7:15 pm 12:30/3:30 pm 5:45/7:15 pm 12/3 pm TBD TBD TBD TBD

DATE Jan. 11 Jan. 12-13 Jan. 16 Jan. 19-20 Jan. 25 Jan. 27 Feb 2-3 Feb 9-10

DAY Thurs Fri-Sat Tues Fri-Sat Thurs Sat Fri-Sat Fri-Sat

OPPONENT Libby-Havre Duals Rocky Mtn. Classic Polson Duals Class A Duals Col. Falls Duals Mission Tournament Western A Divisionals State Wrestling

* Senior Night BOLD Home game

DATE

Jan. 12 Jan. 13 Jan. 20 Jan. 25 Jan. 27 Jan. 29 Feb. 1 Feb. 3 Feb 8 Feb 10 Feb 15 Feb. 17 Feb. 22-24 Mar 6-9

DAY

Fri Sat Sat Thurs Sat Mon Thurs Sat Thurs Sat Thurs Sat Thurs-Sat Wed-Sat

OPPONENT

LOCATION

Whitefish Whitefish Browning-dble. header Ronan Bigfork Ronan Col. Falls-dble. header Col. Falls Libby- dble. header Ronan Polson – C Squad Polson Whitefish *Ronan Browning-dble. header Browning Bigfork Bigfork Polson-dble. Header Polson Play-in-game High seed Play-in-game winners High seed Western A Div. Butte State Basketball Butte

TIME

6 pm 6 pm 2:30 pm 4 pm 4:15 pm 4:30 pm 6 pm 5 pm 5:45 5 pm TBD TBD TBD TBD

* Senior Night BOLD Home game Head Coach: Steve Woll

Girls Wrestling DATE

Jan. 11 Jan. 13 Jan. 16 Jan. 19-20 Jan. 23 Jan. 27 Feb. 2-3 Feb 9-10

DAY

Thurs Sat Tues Fri-Sat Tues Sat Fri-Sat Fri-Sat

OPPONENT

Libby-Havre Duals Hellgate Tournament Polson Duals Class A Duals Col. Falls Tournament Mission Tournament Western A Divisionals State Wrestling

* Senior Night BOLD Home game Head Coach: Dylan Kramer 14 - January 10, 2024

LOCATION

Ronan Missoula *Ronan Lewistown Col. Falls Mission Polson Billings

TIME

6 pm 10 am 6 pm 11 am 6 pm 9 am TBD TBD

TIME 5 am 10 am 6 am 11 am 6 pm 9 am TBD TBD

St. Ignatius (406) 745-3634

DATE

DAY

OPPONENT

LOCATION

TIME

Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 16 Jan 18 Jan 20 Jan 26 Feb 1 Feb 2 Feb 8 Feb 9 Feb 15-17 Feb. 22-24 March 6-9

Thurs Fri Tues Thurs Sat Fri Thurs Fri Thurs Fri Thurs-Fri Thurs-Sat Wed-Sat

Hot Springs Noxon Victor Alberton St. Regis Charlo Hot Springs Noxon Alberton St. Regis District Tourney Western C Divisionals State C Tourney

Hot Springs TERS Victor TERS St. Regis Charlo TERS Noxon Alberton TERS POLSON Frenchtown Great Falls

7 pm 7 pm 6 pm 7 pm 3 pm 5:30 pm 7 pm 7 pm N/A 5:30 pm TBD TBD TBD

Boys Basketball DATE

DAY

OPPONENT

LOCATION

TIME

Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 16 Jan 18 Jan 20 Jan 26 Feb 1 Feb 2 Feb 8 Feb 9 Feb 15-17 Feb. 22-24 March 6-9

Thurs Fri Tues Thurs Sat Fri Thurs Fri Thurs Fri Thurs-Fri Thurs-Sat Wed-Sat

Hot Springs Noxon Victor Alberton St. Regis Charlo Hot Springs Noxon Alberton St. Regis District Tourney West. C Divisionals State C Tourney

Hot Springs TERS Victor TERS St. Regis Charlo TERS Noxon Alberton TERS POLSON Frenchtown Great Falls

5:30 pm 5:30 pm N/A 6 pm 4:30 pm 7 pm 5:30 pm 5:30 pm 7 pm 7 pm TBD TBD TBD

BOLD Home game

Valley Journal

Sponsed by your Lake County Boosters

MOUNTAIN VIEW

Girls Basketball

BOLD Home game

BOB GUNDERSON PHOTO

Polson Lube Center Expressvice 883-0055 Ser

TWO EAGLE

* Senior Night BOLD Home game Head Coach: George Sherwood

Girls Basketball

LOCATION Ronan Missoula *Ronan Lewistown Col. Falls Mission Hamilton Billings

2024 winter Sports Schedule

Get a job – earn college credits – make a difference!

Full time positions receive the health insurance benefit 12 months a year. Check out the available jobs and detailed job vacancy announcements on the SKC website – www.skc.edu/employment Custodian Part-time Salary Range: $14.80/hr Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Security Officer Part Time Salary Range: $12.57 - $13.84/hr DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Part Time Seasonal Grounds Maintenance Salary Range: $15.44 per hour Closing Date: Open Until Filled

College & Career Readiness Coach (2 postions open) Salary range: $17.35/hr-$20.17/hr DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Assistant Director/Lead Teacher – Early Learning Center Salary Range: $38,880 - $45,725 DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

College & Career Readiness Mentor (3 positions open) Salary Range: $17.35/hr-$20.17/hr DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Health Promotion Practices Department Chair 11-month term (July off) which includes $2500 Dept. Head stipend Salary Range DOEE: $45,778 - $48,716 Closing Date: Open Until Filled

NYCP College & Career Readiness Instructor (Part time, 9 months) Salary Range: $25.01/hr-$29.63/hr DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Custodial Services Supervisor Salary Range: $18.28 – $18.72 DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Early Learning Center-Assistant Teacher (9.5 months) Salary Range: $15.01/hr-$16.92/hr DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Lab Instructor - Nursing Department (10 months) Salary Range: $53,340 - $56,836 DOEE Closing Date: Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024; 4:00 pm MST

Early Learning Center-Toddler Teacher (9.5 months) Salary range: $15.33/hr-$17.24/hr DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Accounting Tech/Receptionist Salary Range: $14.16 - $14.48 per hour DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Indigenous Research Center (IRC) IRM & M Library & Repository Manager Salary Range: $50,176-$53,696 DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Truck Driving Instructor-PT (9 months) Salary Range: $18.19 - $19.53/hr DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Simulation Instructor Salary Range: $54,301-$56,400 DOEE Closing date: Open Until Filled

Executive Assistant to the President Salary Range: $41,963 - $46,655 DOEE Closing Date: extended to Monday, Jan. 8, 2024; 4:30pm MST

Assistant to the Vice President of Enrollment Management for Graduate Studies Salary Range: $44,310-$49,003 DOEE Closing date: Monday, Dec. 18, 2023; 4:00pm MST

Nursing Faculty (2 openings) (10 months) Salary Range: $55,935-$65,551 DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

To apply you must submit an SKC application, resume and applicable transcripts to Human Resources, P.O. Box 70, Pablo, MT 59855.

Toll free 877.752.6553, ext. 4985 Direct Dial 406.275.4985/4977

Valley Journal

January 10, 2024 - 15

sports shorts Polson Girls Basketball The Polson Lady Pirates basketball team fell to the Browning Lady Indians, 30-59, in an away game hosted by Browning on Thursday, Jan. 4. Natalie Adams was top scorer for the Lady Pirates with 8 points, followed by Samantha Rensvold who scored 6.

McKenna Hanson, Hinkley Moss and Olivia Jore also pitched in 4 points apiece.

The Lady Indians came out strong in the first quarter with 15 points to the Lady Pirates’ 11. Browning carried that momentum into the remaining three quarters for the win.

The Lady Pirates narrowly lost to the Hamilton Lady Broncs, 50-52, in a hard-fought home game earlier in the week on Jan. 2. Lady Pirate Julia Barnard led her team with 18 total points followed by Natalie Adams with 10 and Hinkley Moss who pitched in 8. A close game at the half, Hamilton led with 24 points to Polson’s 21. The Lady Pirates came back with some steam in the second half scoring 23 points in the third quarter to Hamilton’s 15 to take the lead heading into the fourth quarter, 44-39. The Lady Broncs sank 13 more points in the fourth quarter to Polson’s six to take the win.

Next up the Lady Pirates play Whitefish at home on Jan. 9 and Libby at home again on Jan. 13.

16 - January 10, 2024

BOB GUNDERSON PHOTO

Maddox Bird twists for a layup in a Jan. 4 basketball game hosted by Browning. Below: Brock Henriksen shoots a jumper.

BOB GUNDERSON PHOTO

Polson Lady Pirate Julia Barnard is fouled on a drive to the basket during a Jan. 4 game against the Browning Lady Indians. Below: Pirate wrestler Jason Burrough works to pin his opponent during Jan. 4 duals in Polson.

BOB GUNDERSON PHOTO

Valley Journal

BOB GUNDERSON PHOTO

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Week of 12/25/23 - 12/31/23 8 “I” problem

77 Haunt ACROSS 80 Born, in bios 1 City on the 81 Clap Rio Grande 84 “Fantasy Island” prop 7 Anchor.

85 Down in the dumps 12 Takes exception 86 Employment 18 ___ Island, Fla. 87 BBs, e.g.

19 Register 89 Brio 20 Like sisters 90 Refraction of 21 Place for notices 16 17 light 23 Improvement 96 Bishop of old TV 24 “Aladdin” prince 97 Electrically charged 25 High-hatter atom 26 Hotel entrance Difficulty: Medium 98 Knobby 28 Appear excited 99 “Beat it!”

29 Crows’ homes 101. Breathe hard 32 ___ of vantage 102 Cancel 35 “The ___” (Diana 104 “American ___” Ross musical) 106 “Tarzan” extra 36 Champagne107 Tempers producing city 109 Summarized 37 Telepathy 49 50 114 Doyle’s “A Study in 41 Terrible ___” 42 Pasta type 115 Swab target 43 They croak until 116 Lady of León they croak 117 Complicated 44 In place situations 46 Neon, e.g.

118 ___ and crossbones 47 ___ bean (pirate flag) 48 Spoil or impair 119 Compound in 51 Rent payer detonators 52 January’s birthstone DOWN 55 Refer 1 Father of Leah and 57 Balaam’s mount 95 Rachel 58 Not modern 2 Charm 100 62 Fan sounds 3 Gusto 65 Australian runner 4 Extension to a 66 Affirmative action building 67 Accommodate Copyright 2023 The Puzzle Syndicate 5 Expire 68by Political scheming 6 Feed bag contents 74 “___ bad!”

7 Offer unwelcome 75 Cool advice (sl.)

76 Heart

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92 Gets used (to) 30 CommotionsEach row 93 must 10, for the base 10 31 Hotel offering number system the94numbers 33 Africancontain amulet Henry Clay, for one 34 Swimming 95 Fine table linen 1 to 9; each column 36 Emblems of 96 Burst royalty must contain 100. Cross,the maybe 38 Receive 102. Brews numbers 1103.toPipe9;problem and 39 Japanese-American 40 Regal 105 A deadly sin each set of 3 by 3 44 Make over 108 Adam’s ___, water 110 French vineyard 45 Diminutive bone boxes must contain 111 Carpentry tool 48 Changes 1 to X”9.

112 “Malcolm 49 Animal the fat numbers director 50 Odd pages 113 Amazon, e.g.

51 Oater hero (Answer appears else52 Charades, e.g.

53 Mature where in this issue) 54 In the metric system, 1,000 kilograms 56 “Acid” 59 Gun, as an engine 60 Black, as la nuit 61 Infomercials, e.g.

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by Margie E. Burke

HOW TO SOLVE:

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Can you find all the listed words in the grid? Words may appear horizontally, vertically or diagonally, forwards or backwards.

US STATES AND TERRITORIES AMERICAN SAMOA

MISSISSIPPI

COLORADO

NEBRASKA

CONNECTICUT

NEW MEXICO

GUAM

NORTH DAKOTA

ILLINOIS

PENNSYLVANIA

INDIANA

PUERTO RICO

KENTUCKY

RHODE ISLAND

MASSACHUSETTS

SOUTH CAROLINA

MINNESOTA

WASHINGTON DC

QUICKSILVER EXPRESSO TAKE A BREAK!

Copyright 2024 by The Puzzle Syndicate

7 days a week

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January 10, 2024 - 17

seniors ST. IGNATIUS — We hope that 2024 will be a gentle year to all.

We appreciate all that support the St. Ignatius Senior Center.

We invite anyone to come and enjoy one of our meals or call for a takeout meal. Call 406745-4462 by 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays and by 2 p.m. on Wednesdays. Mealtimes are listed below. Menus for the month are available in the entryway of the center.

Menu: — ­Friday, Jan. 12: noon chicken, broccoli salad, rolls, baked zucchini, birthday cake — Tuesday, Jan. 16: noon turkey casserole, cottage cheese, rolls, cooked carrots, plum cobbler — Wednesday, Jan. 17: 5:30 p.m. - spaghetti, green salad, pears, French bread, huckleberry crisp — Friday, Jan. 19: noon

BO%GO FF 40 O DS 1/31 OFFER EN

Available at participating locations

855-886-0335 18 - January 10, 2024

sage. We will call you back with the information you need.

Polson

By Pete Mangels for the Valley Journal

POLSON — The banks, courthouse, USPS, county offices, etc. will be closed for the federal holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 15. We will be open. See below for the menu. Because of print deadlines, I am writing this ahead of the Jan. 7 National Championship (FCS) football game. It is great to see a Montana team reach that level of competition. Win or lose, my heart will always be with Montana teams.

Especially those near Polson. Just saying.

Activities: Almost all of our activities at the Center require a weekly commitment. If you attend regularly, we ask you to support our community

center by becoming a member for only $15 per year … that’s less than $3.50 a month.

Bowling: Tuesdays at 1 p.m. - lane fee $13 - open group Bridge: inquire at center VA rep.: first Friday and third Tuesday of each month (Feb. 2 and Jan. 16) - walk-in Bingo: bingo Friday nights (time change) 6:30 p.m. start; doors open at 6 p.m. - $100 blackout “Playing Card” bingo: first and third Wednesday of each month Exercise: sitting or standing: M-W-F, 10:30–11:30 a.m. - video-assisted guidance.

Friday is Richard Simmons’ turn. Come join the fun.

Tai Chi: (slow and relaxing movement exercises for balance and flexibility) classes Jan. 23- Feb. 27 - six weeks on Tuesdays. 10-11 a.m.

- fee $30 for non-members - $15 discount for members of Polson Community Senior

Switch to DISH for access to every professional football game this fall on YouTube, Prime Video, Peacock, and ESPN+ DISH has the most college football with SEC, ACC, Big Ten, Pac-12, and Longhorn Networks.

Plus, get the Multi-Sport Pack on us!

Sign up for AT120+ or above and get 15 additional sports channels with the Multi-Sport Pack at no cost.

Center. Register for class at the center.

Pinochle: Thursdays noon-3 p.m. - late arrivals can join in - plenty of room for all Pool: open table 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Menu (subject to change): A suggested donation of $5 for your meal will help support the Nutrition Program. We serve lunch from 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - sit-down or takeout; call before 10 a.m. for delivery. Call in for grab-n-go.

Thursday, Jan. 11: meatballs in sauce, rice, stir-fry veggies, oriental salad, cherry chip cake Friday, Jan. 12: biscuits and gravy, sausage links, peas, fresh fruit, butterscotch pudding

Monday, Jan. 15: tomato soup, cheesy bread, green salad, coffee cake Tuesday, Jan. 16: meatloaf, mashed spuds, gravy creamed corn, peaches, cookies Wednesday, Jan. 17: barbecue chicken, baked beans, mixed veggies, tater salad, razzy Jell-O Thursday, Jan. 18: pork tips with gravy, pasta, green beans, lemony jello, baked apples Friday, Jan. 19: chicken strips, steak fries, 5-cup salad, fiesta cake We are located at 504 Third Ave. E and open weekdays 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Call 406-883-4735 or email us at: polsonseniorcenter@gmail. com. Visit us on Facebook.

43 N E W S PA P E R

A S S O C I AT I O N

PARTICIPATING NEWSPAPERS

By Barb Plouffe for the Valley Journal

pulled pork sandwiches, Snicker salad, carrots/ celery sticks, baked beans, brownies We will hold bingo on Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. Come and enjoy.

We are still looking for a part-time bookkeeper/manager.

We are trying to find someone to come to the center and do taxes for seniors. Will keep you posted on this endeavor.

We invite you to become a member of the St. Ignatius Senior Citizen Center for a fee of $10 a year. You can join at any age.

The Foot Hills Club meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. for snacks and cards.

Gently Yoga is held on Wednesday at 1-2:15 p.m. If you are interested, please call Bonnie Kiser at 406-253-0177.

Her rates are five sessions for $60.

Our senior center is open to people renting it. If you are interested, please call 406-7454462 and leave a mes-

FOR LIMITED TIME*

St. Ignatius

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1-855-995-3572 3-year price guarantee requires credit qualification and 2-year commitment and covers core programming, local networks, and equipment. All packages, programming, and offers are subject to change without notice. New customers only. Must subscribe to AT120+ or above or DishLATINO Max by 11/13/23.

Multi-Sport Pack access ends 1/11/24. Offer subject to change without notice. Local blackouts and other restrictions apply. Streaming apps require separate subscription.

Valley Journal

CALL: 406.443.2850 DETAILS: mtnewspapers.com

SNHU announces Fall 2023 President’s List News from SNHU

MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE — It is with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) congratulates Traci Couture of Polson and Katelynn Williams of Ronan on being named to the Fall 2023 President’s List.

The fall terms run from September to December.

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum gradepoint average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List.

Janene Padilla of Polson has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s Fall 2023 Dean’s List.

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum gradepoint average of 3.500 to 3.699 for the reporting term are named to the Dean’s List.

Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer

Lake County marriages & divorces for December 2023 Marriages Thomas Gene Hansen and Christine Ingold Jeremy Scott Uhide and April Marie Wood Allan Joseph Somers and Benjamin T. Peterson Rebecca Ann Milasevich and Robert Samuel Stolz David Charles and Mandy Sue Ann Moran Jessica Ann Foust and Jordon Lamar Jones Evan James Williams and Alexandra Carmouche Thomas P. Mavity and Tammy Ruth Johnson Ryan M. O’Halloran and Natalie Mai Arnott

Flathead Transit

Missoula • Pablo • Kalispell • Whitefish

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Divorces Ryan Webster and Rachel Webster Thomas J. Costanza and Connie S. Costanza Sammual Herreid and Lisa Dumontier Norman S. Deming and Lorelei L. Deming John J. Umphrey and Dawn C. Umphrey

Bus leaves at scheduled times.

State-Tribal Relations Committee to meet HELENA/ZOOM —The State-Tribal Relations Committee (STRC) will meet at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11, in room 137 of the Montana Capitol and via Zoom.

Pablo

10:00 AM

52001 US Hwy 93, Pablo• 406-275-2792

Missoula

11:30 AM

The meeting agenda is posted on the website: leg.mt.gov and go to meeting information. Additional materials will be posted as they become available.

1660 W Broadway St • 406-549-2339

Evaro

11:50 AM

20750 US Hwy 93, Missoula• 406-726-3778

Arlee

12:00 PM

92345 US Hwy 93, Arlee• 406-726-7777

Flag Stop

27330 US Hwy 93, Ravalli• 406-275-2877

12:15 PM

240 Mnt View Dr, St. Ignatius• 406-745-3634

1:00 PM

52001 US Hwy 93, Pablo• 406-275-2792

Ravalli

Saint Ignatius Pablo

Polson

1:25 PM

49708 US Hwy 93, Polson• 406-883-3636

Lakeside

2:10 PM

7170 US Hwy 93, Pablo• 406-844-3372

NEW

2:30 PM LOCATION! 3:10 PM

Kalispell / Evergreen

195 3rd Ave. E, west side of Smith Foods• 406-755-7447

Whitefish

#9 Spokane Ave., Whitefish• 406-275-2721

7:30 PM 7:05 PM 6:50 PM Flag Stop 6:30 PM 6:00 PM 5:30 PM 4:55 PM 4:30 PM 4:00 PM

For Information Call Flathead Transit • 406-675-5000 weekends • Busses run 7Transit days a week.

406-275-2792 weekdays For more information call Flathead

Weekdays: 406-275-2792 Weekends: 406-675-5000 Valley Journal

January 10, 2024 - 19

calendar Thursday, Jan. 11 WIC manager on site at Arlee CDC ARLEE — The Arlee Community Development Corporation’s food pantry will be hosting Lindsay O’Neill, the CSKT WIC Manager, during pantry hours on Jan. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. and on Jan. 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. Lindsey will provide WIC information, scheduling appointments, and helping low income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as all caretakers for infants and children under the age of 5, to apply for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for women, infants and children. For more information, call the Arlee CDC at 406-7265550.

Masumola Club to meet POLSON — The Masumola Club will meet on Jan. 11 with social hour beginning at 5:45 p.m.

Bring your own libation, plates and utensils. January’s meeting will be hosted by Goldsmiths, Jensens, and the team of Newby and Adcock. They are planning to provide lasagna as a main dish.

Please RSVP to: dickgsmith@gmail.com if you will be attending. This will greatly assist the hosts in planning and help to prevent waste.

Plan to bring a dish to pass. Suggested food distribution: A – H-hot dish; I – O-dessert; P – Z-salad or veggie.

Let’s start the year off right with this gathering of friends and neighbors.

20 - January 10, 2024

see extended calendar at www.valleyjournal.net

Rural road

Monday, Jan. 15 Library closed for MLK Day POLSON — The North Lake County Public Library will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This means there will be no children’s programming on this day.

Wednesday, Jan. 17 Governor’s Housing Task Force to meet

MARTY HENSEL PHOTO

A rural Montana road just prior to recent snowfall, appears more like a summer rather than a winter scene.

Read about ‘Penguins’ at Story Time POLSON — The North Lake County Public Library will hold Story Time at 10 a.m. at their temporary location, First United Methodist Church 301 16th Ave. The topic will be penguins.

County Sheriff Don Bell and Polson Police Chief George Simp-son. The officers will provide updates on the crime in our areas as well as answer questions on PL280 to the best of their ability.

This should be a great discussion - hope to see a full house.

Friday, Jan. 12

WIC manager on site at Arlee CDC

Pachyderms hold first 2024 meeting POLSON — Our first Pachyderm meeting of 2024 will be on Jan. 12 at noon at the Polson Volunteer Fire Dept., 25 Regatta Rd. Our guest speakers will be Lake

ARLEE — The Arlee Community Development Corporation’s food pantry will be hosting Lindsay O’Neill, the CSKT WIC Manager, during pantry hours on Jan. 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. Lindsey will provide WIC information,

scheduling appointments, and helping low income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as all caretakers for infants and children under the age of 5, to apply for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for women, infants and children.

For more information, call the Arlee CDC at 406726-5550.

Saturday, Jan. 13 Public invited to Ronan Hall of Fame inductee ceremony RONAN — The Ronan Hall of Fame Committee will be hosting their annual

Valley Journal

Induction Ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Ronan Community Center.

The event will begin with a potato bar being served beginning at 12:30 p.m. and induction activities starting at 2 p.m. Cost of the meal is $10. The public is invited to participate in the meal and induction program. Inductees in the Class of 2023 include “Distinguished Athletes” Phillip Roullier and Matt Luedtke, “Distinguished Coach” Marilynn Tanner, “Distinguished Community Member” Bud and Laurel Cheff, and Lynn Olson, and “Distinguished Team” the 1972 State Championship girls’ track team.

HELENA — The next Governor’s Housing Task Force meeting will be held on Jan.17. Join us in-person or online: 10-11:30 a.m., room 111, Metcalf Building, Montana Department of Environmental Quality, 1520 E Sixth Ave. Helena or join via Zoom: Webinar ID: 856 7254 5597 Passcode: 769048 or join via telephone: 206-337-9723.

Thursday, Jan. 18 SPLASH held at handMade Montana POLSON — Join the business community for SPLASH (Support Polson Late Afternoon Social Hour) at handMade Montana. Each SPLASH highlights a different member’s business, allowing them to display their business and rub shoulders with other business professionals.

SPLASH features food and beverages and is accompanied by split-the-pot opportunities and a $200 door prize. See you there!

Movie provides inspiration about volunteer fire service News from Ed Meece, Polson City Manager

POLSON — The City of Polson and Polson City Volunteer Fire Department are sponsoring a free movie about the volunteer fire service – Feb. 6, at Showboat Theatre; showings at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Each admittance ticket is worth one free drink or popcorn (small). “Odd Hours. No Pay. Cool Hat” depicts volunteers taking on a variety of traditional and non-traditional fire service roles in communities across America. It is hoped that this film will increase understanding of the importance of volunteer fire departments and inspire local citizens to volunteer with the Polson City Volunteer Fire Department.

obituaries Marli Kay Harmon TAMPA, FLORIDA — Marli was born on Oct. 11, 1989, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and passed on Jan. 2, 2024, in Tampa, Florida. She moved with her family to Polson in the spring of 1993 and graduated from Polson High and the University of Montana. In high school, Marli Harmon she enjoyed speech and debate, journalism, drama, and tennis, and in her sophomore year was an exchange student in Sardinia. Marli loved literature, fine jewelry, and her Japanese Chin pups, first Jaku followed by Doja. In her working life, she slung ice cream at The Cove, managed property in Florida, and

Serving Lake County since 1923 Attention lenders: Consider having your title work done by friendly professionals at a locally owned and operated title company that has stood the test of time!

We offer complete, reliable title services in our conveniently located office in downtown Polson.

worked with good folks and beautiful jewelry at Adair Jewelers in Missoula and Neiman Marcus in Tampa.

Marli is survived by her partner, Derek Richardson of Tampa; her brother, Wes and partner Yani of Missoula, Meadview, Arizona, and Panama; parents, Tamika Harmon of Naples, Florida, and Scott and Lisa Harmon of Polson; grandparents, Alona and Bob Berkstresser of Naples, Florida; aunts and uncles, Eric and Sally Harmon of Colorado, Tem and Nancy Berkstresser, and Taylor Berkstresser and Kim Kennedy of Florida; along with cousins, Clayton Harmon, Mia and Luna Berkstresser; and many dear friends who also deeply loved her.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor may be made to the American Cancer Society or the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Duane Snyder POLSON — Duane Snyder, a 25year veteran of United States Marine Corp and longtime resident of Polson, passed away on Nov. 18, 2023, surrounded by family and friends. Duane, as he was known to many in the area, was born Duane June 5, 1952, to Wayne Snyder and Melva Snyder and attended Ronan High School before enlisting in the USMC. As a Chief Warrant Officer 4 for the Marines, Duane served in different parts of Asia and the United States. He had many amazing stories of his time serving. Duane is survived by his family in Montana, Alaska, and Texas.

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Call to make an appointment today!

We appreciate the opportunity to serve you and your clients!

(406) 319-3169 Primary Care for Seniors

Montana Land Title Association and American Land Title Association Member

Lake County Abstract & Title Co.

314 First Street East • Suite 101 Polson, Montana 59860

(406) 883-6226 www.lctitles.com

Valley Journal

January 10, 2024 - 21

classifieds Announcements Special Notices Switch and save up to $250/ year on your talk, text and data. No contract and no hidden fees. Unlimited talk and text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. Limited time offer - get $50 off on any new account. Use code GIFT50. For more information, call 1-877-324-0193 Donating your vehicle? Get more! Free Towing. Tax Deductible. Plus a $200 restaurant voucher and a 2-night/3-day hotel stay at one of 50 locations. Call Heritage for the Blind to donate your vehicle today - 1-855-901-2620

based on race, color, religion, REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL creed, sex, marital status, for E-Rate Category 2 Services age, familial status, physical 2024 or mental disability, or national Ronan School District No 30 origin, or an intention to make 421 Andrew St NW any such preference, limitation Ronan, MT 59864 or discrimination. Familial status includes children under the Overview Switch to DISH and get up age of 18 living with parents Ronan School District No. 30 is to a $300 gift card! Plus get or legal custodians, pregnant accepting proposals for networking the Multisport pack included women and people securing equipment and related components. for a limited time! custody of children under 18.

This project is part of a USAC appliHurry, call for details: This newspaper will not knowcation for federal E-Rate funding. All 1-855-995-3572 ingly accept any advertising providers wishing to bid must have for real estate which is in vioa valid SPIN number and be in good Week oflation 1/8/24 - 1/14/24 Wanted of the law. Our readers standing with USAC. Providers are are hereby informed that all expected to assist in the determination dwellings advertised in this of individual component eligibility as WANTED TO BUY: Old Car, newspaper are available on outlined in the current USAC Eligible Truck, Motorcycle, also old an equal opportunity basis. To Services List. Proposals will be evalusigns and license plates, complain of discrimination ated with price as highest criteria along gas station items or dealcall HUD Toll-free at 1-800with other criteria listed in the RFP ership items. Call 406-270669-9777. The toll-free teleScoring Rubric. All work described in 8630 any time.

by Margiethis E. Burke phone number for Edited the hearing Request for Proposal is contingent impaired is 1-800-927-9275. upon funding approval. Ronan School Difficulty: Medium Real Estate District reserves the right to terminate any contract or agreement if USAC HOW TO SOLVE: Equal housing E-rate funding is cancelled or denied.

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9 2 4 3 9 5 Public 5 HOUSING 1 3 EQUAL Notices OPPORTUNITY 9 3 8 2 All real estate advertising in SUDOKU FREE high speed interopen-box, discontinued, “gray market,” this newspaper is subject Legals 9 7 6 net for those that qualify. or elseequipment in any other condition to the Fair Housing Act and (Answer appears 4 1 8for 7 5 3Government 6 2 9 program other than new and factory-sealed with the Montana Human Rights 4 Legals 6 where in this issue) all original manufacturer warranties.

5 7 3of select 9 4 1 Act which makes it illegal to 8recipients 6 2 programs incl. Medicaid, SNAP, 1 9 Assistance, 6 3 2 advertise any preference,6 4 5 8 7 WIC, 9 7 Housing Installation is not required for this projlimitation or discrimination Veterans 5 2 4Pension, 1 7 Survivor 8 3 6

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S O U T H C A R O L I N A P K O N E W M E X I C O K K Y Z K D J Y H Y C N S M E S H N D A A Y F Y U D N E N A R S J N P R Y O C I R O T R E U P A A N O E L A F L U B J R R G D L O L S N K O C E L M U D J M S R O A I X K N H B N N H B I I T C V I Y S I O N I L L I N E H A I N A V L Y S N N E P N D D W A S H I N G T O N D C E O A M A S S A C H U S E T T S H K Q I P P I S S I S S I M O R O C O N N E C T I C U T I T Y T A M E R I C A N S A M O A E A

SOLUTION 22 - January 10, 2024

RFP Scoring Rubric: Points, Criteria 30, E-Rate eligible cost 15, Previous experience with vendor 15, Preference to local vendors 15, Ability to meet district’s timeline of rollout 10, Ability to meet requirements of RFP 5, Proposed contract terms and conditions Submission of Proposals: Bids are to be emailed as an attachment only, at the discretion of the vendor, to dustin.rowe@ ronank12.edu.

Other RFP Requirements: The District is not accepting demos, test packs, webinars, SPAM, marketing inquiries, etc.

All quantities are estimates and looking for service provider recommendations.

If service provider is uncertain, please make recommendation based upon the make and model provided or bid all applicable recommended options and let the District decide.

The District will not complete customized forms from service providers during the competitive bidding period.

If a new Form 470 is posted or a 470 RFP Amendment, the bid due date will be the allowable contract date of the latest posted 470 or 28 days after latest posted 470 RFP Amendment, whichever is later.

If a service provider has already submitted a bid, it is the responsibility of the service provider to submit a new bid within the scope and competitive bidding period of the newly posted Form 470.

The District reserves the right not to respond to inquiries that are not relevant to the requested equipment and/ or services on the posted Form 470 or are already addressed in the posted documents.

The District is not responsible for late bids. At the District’s discretion, late bids may be accepted or rejected.

The District will accept partial bids or whole bids. District reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids and/or parts of any one bid including late bids.

Preference may be given to providers that offer flexible invoicing including see page 23

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your homegrown newspaper October 11, 2023

Vol. 20, No. 4

Pumpkins fall from sky at St. Ignatius airport

Unique fundraiser collects money for annual fireworks show

Puzzle Answers WORDSEARCH Solution to Word Search

ect. The District will consider bids on all or a subset of equipment requested in this RFP.

Town council pg. 5

Transit app pg. 6

Sports pg. 16

Story and photos

by Beau Biggs for the Valley Journal

ST. IGNATIUS — The community came together on Saturday, Oct. 7, to watch pumpkins drop out of an airplane at the St. Ignatius Airport.

The event was held as a fundraiser for next year’s Good Old Days fireworks show.

Blackfoot Communication and the Brett Thoft Memorial Foundation sponsored the event along with several others.

The Brett Thoft Memorial Foundation was giving out coats for any child who needed one.

There were also plenty of things for the kids to do at the event, including face painting.

Apple bobbing drew in participants as folks dunked their heads into a barrel of water and at-

tempted to bite into an apple, no hands allowed.

Another line was filled with people waiting for

the free barbeque with burgers and hot dogs.

To win at the pumpkin drop, participants needed

to buy a ticket.

Pumpkins were then dropped out of the airplane and landed on a square with numbers. If a person’s ticket matched the number the pumpkin landed on, they won $250.

Pilot Mike Kuefler said, “There was a lot of planning that went into dropping the pumpkins.

You have to be at the

right height and stay at a consistent speed (while flying) or the pumpkin will miss, and then, we have to make another pass.”

During drop four, the airplane made a couple passes before finally getting the pumpkin on target.

To drop a pumpkin, it takes three people: the

see page 2

w w w. v a l l e y j our na l. ne t

Solution to Sudoku:

H

5 1 2 3 8 7 9 6 4 9 3 7 4 1 6 5 2 8 8 6 4 9 2 5 1 7 3 4 8 3 6 9 2 7 1 5 2 5 6 1 7 4 3 8 9 1 7 9 5 3 8 6 4 2 6 9 8 7 4 3 2 5 1 7 2 1 8 5 9 4 3 6 3 4 5 2 6 1 8 9 7

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public notices Legals cont’d from pg. 22 SPI where the discounts are applied to the bills with no restrictions. Bids should include whether or not a vendor will honor a flexible invoicing arrangement.

All E-Rate equipment/services must be from companies that are eligible for E-Rate. Bids and/or equipment from companies that are listed on the FCC’s list as a National Security Risk are not eligible for E-Rate and will not be accepted.

An approved E-Rate funding notification letter alone is not grounds for moving forward with project.

Appendix A Below is a reference of the type of equipment and capacities (or their equivalent) to be supplied. Bidders should price separately and clearly indicate any ineligible costs for all services and equipment associated with this RFP. Vendors may submit alternative equipment as long as the equipment is equivalent, compatible with current network equipment and serves a similar functionality.

Preference may be given for bids that include all terms and conditions in which there are no additional terms and conditions applied once winning bid(s) is accepted. Additional terms and conditions applied after bid submission may be grounds for bid dismissal.

Preference may be given to bidders that can honor their pricing until receipt of a funding commitment decision letter.

January 10 and 17, 2024 MNAXLP

It is the responsibility of the service provider/bidder to know, understand, and act within guidance of the E-Rate rules.

It is the responsibility of the service providers to adhere to all applicable laws, licensing, permits, insurances, etc. (District, local, state, and/or federal) as may be required for such a project and may be required to readily verify documentation at request of District.

The winning bidder may be required to adhere additional policies and/or procedures, rules, regulations, etc. as required by District (i.e., installation after school hours or during vacation months, background checks, etc.) that may or may not be listed in this RPF document.

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Polson School District 23 Trustee 2024 Election Resolution BE IT RESOLVED: That the Board of Trustees of Polson School District 23, shall call for election of three (3) Trustees from the Elementary District and one (1) Trustee from the High School District to serve three (3) year terms. The voting shall be by mail ballot election, with the election date of May 7, 2024. If the number of candidates filing for a position or filing a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate under MCA 13-10-211 is equal to the number of positions to be elected, the trustees may give notice that an election will not be held. (MCA 20-3-313) Filing information is available at the District Administration Office at 111 - 4th Ave East in Polson.

Filing deadline is March 28, 2024 by 4:30 PM.

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Service providers must have a SPIN at the close of the competitive bidding window.

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Legal Notices are welcome.

Deadline is Friday at noon. email to: vjmail@valleyjournal.net

January 10 and 17. 2024 MNAXLP

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January 10, 2024 - 23

24 - January 10, 2024

Valley Journal