09-20-23 issue

Autumn begins Sept. 23

Nova Vento poised for growth at new Polson headquarters

By Summer Goddard Valley Journal

“Welcome to the future of Montana filmmaking,” reads a sign outside the new Nova Vento Entertainment headquarters in Polson. Nova Vento, which means “New Wind,” is a locally-owned film production and distribution company. The company’s start can be traced back to a post on Polson’s Facebook Yardsale page. Brandon Smith, who’d worked previously for New Line Cinema in another state, asked if anyone wanted to help him make a short film. Eden Bryant, who’d attended film school and was working as a photographer, responded yes.

Four years, several films and an additional business partner later, Nova Vento is preparing for growth. The company opened doors at their new location at 145 South Crest Lake Road in Polson last July. Approximately 5,000 square feet, the new center of operations has spacious meeting and living areas,

a kitchen, four offices and panoramic views of Flathead Lake. Twelve offices were converted to bedrooms to help provide temporary housing as its needed for visiting film crews and actors.

Co-owned by Smith,

Bryant and Polson

Theatres owner Becky Dupuis, the inspiration for starting a Montana film company began with the desire to fill a need. The distribution arm of Nova Vento began in

SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL

Nova Vento Entertainment’s spacious new headquarters houses office and storage space as well as living quarters for visiting filmmakers or actors.

SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL

Brandon Smith, right, and Eden Bryant, center, speak with a community member, left, about the logistics of how they filmed the movie “Somewhere in Montana,” after the Sept. 16 screening. see page 2

2020 to fill a gap created during the pandemic for movie theatres that didn’t have movies to show.

Smith and Bryant began connecting theatre operators with independent filmmakers to show their movies. The first film they helped distribute was “Effigy, Poison and the City,” which the team discovered at the annual Flathead Lake International Cinemafest in January of 2020. While most distribution companies share 10% or thereabouts with the filmmakers they represent, Bryant says Nova Vento’s split is 50/50.

“There are two dozen companies in the nation doing film distribution,” Smith said. “We are one of them.” Nova Vento is currently working to distribute their own movie, “Somewhere in Montana,” via a larger company such as Sony or Paramount Pictures. “Sony watched the movie recently and loved it,” Smith said. A follow up meeting with Sony representatives is planned in two weeks.

On the production side, their

Polson police investigate suspicious death

News from the Polson Police Department

POLSON — On Sept. 6, law enforcement officers went to 304 10th Avenue West to conduct a welfare check. Philista St. John was found deceased inside the residence. Suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident led officers to suspect foul play. A person of interest has been identified and no danger exists to the public. The investigation is ongoing and no further information will be released at this time.

The Polson Police Department would like to thank the CSKT Tribal Police, Lake County Sheriff/Coroner’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol, Lake County Attorney’s Office, and the Lake County Emergency Communications Center.

In this sorrowful time, we extend to the family and friends of Ms. St. John our heartfelt condolences.

and Michelle Hurd of “Law and Order” and “Star Trek,” “Somewhere in Montana” tells the story of a Montana rancher who butts heads with a director he allows to come make a movie on his land.

The movie’s red carpet premiere was held June 22 in Polson. To bring further awareness to Nova Vento’s endeavors, another screening of the film was held for community members on Sept. 16 at the Showboat Theatre.

Ronan-North highway project update

News from the Montana Department of Transportation

new feature-length film “Somewhere in Montana,” was written and directed by Smith and produced by Bryant. Filmed exclusively in Polson and surrounding areas, the only shot that was purchased was a clip of a helicopter flying over the city of Los Angeles. All other scenes, including interior scenes of LA buildings, were filmed locally, Smith said. From concept to completion, the movie was also funded by local investors who’ll get a return based on how the movie does in theatres.

Featuring big name actors such as Graham McTavish from “The Witcher” and “Outlander”

“We want to keep the local community up to date on what we’re doing,” Smith told audience members.” He shared that to further develop a pool of local talent, Nova Vento has started offering classes for those interested in pursuing jobs in film. Five students recently attended a training to become production assistants. Script writing and acting classes are planned to be offered in the future as Nova Vento seeks to grow their staff. “We spent four years figuring out the formula,” Smith said. “Now that we know the formula, we’re working on a loan to bring in an additional 1020 full time staffers.”

In addition to making their

from page 1 see page 6

RONAN — Work continues on the US Highway 93 (US 93) Ronan-North project. Riverside Contracting crews will continue to work on the drainage channel on the east side of the road, across from Dairy Queen.

Topsoil placement in preparation for seeding and landscaping will continue on both sides of the highway, and guardrail installation will begin on the northbound side of US 93. Lane closures will be necessary where work is underway. Traffic control will be in place.

Work planned for the week of Sept. 18 also includes project area cleanup and installation of streetlight foundations. All work is dependent on weather and other unforeseen factors.

The speed limit remains at 35 mph. Please remember to follow posted speed limits when driving through the project site.

Paving operations on the Ronan-North project will resume in mid-October. The final layer of pavement will be installed at that time.

Crews will be onsite Monday, Sept. 18, through Friday, Sept. 22, from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

When traveling through the construction zone, slow down, follow all traffic control, and watch for workers and equipment.

For more information on the Ronan-North project, visit https://www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/ronanurban/

Nova Vento

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The Valley Journal newspaper (PE 23-190) is published weekly by Valley Journal LLC. Periodicals postage paid at Ronan, MT.

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2023

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For general inquiries: call 406-676-8989, email summer@valleyjournal.net, or send mail correspondence to P.O. Box 326, Ronan, MT 59864. Copyright 2023, 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.

Ronan celebrates community, seasonal change at annual Harvest Fest

Story and photos by Beau Biggs for the Valley Journal

RONAN –– The Ronan community came together to celebrate the fall harvest with a range of activities for all presented by the Ronan Chamber of Commerce.  Festival goers could vote on their favorite decorated round bales in the annual Trail of Bales contest. Participating businesses and organizations decorated bales in front of businesses around town – this year with a 60s theme. Judges will tally the votes to determine the winner on Sept. 20.

The festival’s petting zoo attracted children and adults alike with goats, kittens, and a donkey. Multiple bounce houses were sponsored by local businesses.

Coordinator Lacy

Cates thanked Big Creek Plumbing and Lucky Homes and Real Estate for providing the “free and fun” bounce houses.

Cates also thanked

locals for helping with carnival games: “It was really fun because a lot of the high school kids and different groups came over and volunteered their time to run

the carnival games.”

During the event, a variety of vendors sold everything from clothes to sweet treats. One vendor with Busy Mom Bakes described the ef-

fort she put into making her treats: “It usually takes about three days.” She starts with cookies because the dough has to chill for 24 hours. Next, she makes bread

and ends with cinnamon rolls.

To top off the celebration, local farmers displayed their produce with colorful squash and pumpkins.

More than 86,000 watercraft inspected for aquatic invasive species

News from the MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks

HELENA – So far this year, FWP and its partners have inspected more than 86,000 watercraft for aquatic invasive species. Of those, 45 were mussel-fouled and more than 400 were found with aquatic weeds.

FWP and partner agencies, which include tribes, counties and conservation districts, operate more than 17 road-side

watercraft inspection stations across the state. To find a watercraft inspection station or to learn more, go to fwp.mt.gov/ conservation/aquatic-invasive-species or call the FWP Aquatic Invasive Species Bureau at 406-444-2440.

In the last few weeks, the following was detected:

A ski boat recently purchased in Minnesota was intercepted with mussels at the

Wibaux watercraft inspection station (operated by Garfield Conservation District). The boat was decontaminated, locked to the trailer and released to its final destination in Pend Oreille, Idaho. Idaho was notified to allow for follow-up.

The Wibaux station intercepted a wakeboard boat that was recently purchased in Minnesota with mussels in the sea strainer. The boat was

decontaminated, locked to the trailer and authorities at Lake Tahoe, its destination, were notified for follow-up.

The Broadus inspection station (managed by the Powder River Conservation District) intercepted a recently purchased mussel fouled ski boat from Minnesota heading for Big Sky. Staff decontaminated the boat, locked it to the trailer and FWP staff followed up

with the owner for a full decontamination.

No Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) has been found in Beaver Lake near Whitefish this season following three comprehensive surveys. Another follow-up survey will be conducted in October.

As the boating season winds down, inspection stations will be closing. The St. Xavier and Sula stations are now closed. Other stations will be closing in the coming weeks.

Of those inspected, 45 were mussel-fouled.

Nova Vento

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own films, Nova Vento can also serve other filmmakers who come to Montana by helping facilitate logistics such as crew members, food, housing, location, leasing of office space and even a stage they’ve built in a re-purposed warehouse. With “stages all over the world at capacity,” Smith said he hopes to bring commercial and TV shows film projects to the space. He recently marketed Nova Vento’s stage space to 20 location managers at a film guild meeting. He asked them what they’d rather look at when they walked out of a studio – another brick building – or the photos he showed them of the

stunning views from the Nova Vento facility.

Essentially operating as a

“micro studio” Bryant said each project that comes into the area provides an injection of

cash into the local economy. She and Smith estimate about $500,000 was spent with local

businesses through production of “Somewhere in Montana.”

Incentivizing filmmakers to come to Montana through increased tax incentives is something Bryant said she hopes legislators will work on. According to Bryant, her company just lost a potential project to Washington because the state provides better tax incentives for filmmakers. Bigger out-of-state companies, she added, can also tap out Montana’s current $10 million tax credit limit – leaving smaller operations without the same benefits. “Montana does have its own filmmaking community,” Bryant said. “And we’d like to be able to utilize our own tax incentives.”

SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL

Twelve offices that have been converted to bedrooms at the new Nova Vento Entertainment headquarters are each named after a Montana river. Below : a common living area is located between the converted rooms.

SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL

Gary and Becky Dupuis, Eden Bryant and Brandon Smith of Nova Vento Entertainment pose for a photo at the Showboat Theater after the Sept. 16 screening of “Somewhere in Montana.”

COURTESY PHOTO

The photo above, taken during the filming of “Somewhere in Montana,” shows the tension between the two main characters.

Elliott Adams honored for making a difference through care

By Kathi Beeks / Valley Journal

On Sept. 14, Elliott Adams received an award for Direct Support Professional of the Year for region five, (an area that includes Kalispell), at the Regional Developmental Disabilities Conference. DPPHS received over 30 letters of nomination for Adams who for 10 years cared for the daily needs of Jake Janssen, who was autistic. Only four years older than Jake, Adams has known the Janssen family all his life and remembers when Jake was born. At the age of 18, Adams provided Jake with after-school care until Jake’s parents got home. Adams left the area for a time but when he returned, he became Jake’s full-time caregiver and friend. He explained that “I saw what needed to happen … a place I needed to fill, so I did.”

Lieutenant Governor Kristen Juras spoke during the conference about her personal experiences as a primary caregiver and how those you serve impact your life.

Adams said that Jake shaped who he is. Like many direct support professionals, Elliott assisted Jake with his medications, doctor appointments, and recreation

activities. Jake especially loved to bowl at the Ronan bowling alley. Elliot frequently brought his dog Suki with him to work, which Jake loved. In fact, he was disappointed if Suki stayed home.

On April 5, 2023, Jake Janssen passed away, leaving all who knew him feeling lost. Adams said, “Suki doesn’t understand why they no longer go to see Jake.” Adams and Suki are both grieving the loss but are

Gecko

Petoftheweek

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helping each other through their grief.

When asked about his favorite memory of Jake, Adams said, “All of them. I miss him so much. I want everyone to know how important he was to the people who knew him.”

Rich Janssen, Jake’s father, said that “Elliott (Adams) was Jake’s angel.”

Adams’s girlfriend, Breanna Bilile, said, “I am so proud of him and all he’s done. I am in awe of him.”

The Director of Public Health and Human Services Charlie Brereton said that caregivers are called “to make a difference and serve.” Elliott Adams served Jake Janssen for 10 years, even giving his eulogy. He was awarded for making a difference.

Got WIC?

Each month, Montana WIC provides healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and a community of support from both experts and peers to more than 16,000 moms and children. Nationwide, WIC serves more than 7 million people.

WIC is designed to influence lifetime nutrition and health behaviors for participating families. If you’re pregnant, a caregiver, or a mom with children under 5, you can get the right personalized support for you and your family.

Households that are enrolled in the following programs automatically meet income eligibility for WIC:

• Healthy Montana Kids Plus (HMK-Plus) and Medicaid

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)

• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

• National School Lunch Program (free and reduced-price meals)

More information about WIC, including specific income guidelines, is available online at wic.mt.gov or by calling 1-800-433-4298.

Call Lake County WIC at 406-883-7307 to apply or for additional information about WIC. Lake County WIC clinic office is located at 802 Main Street in Polson. Hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00am-5:30pm, and Friday from 8:00 am-12:00pm. Closed 12:30pm1:00pm for lunch.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

with cats, loves swimming, fetch and tug-o-war.

COURTESY PHOTO Adams, right, with Jake Janssen, whom he cared for on a daily basis for 10 years.

KATHI BEEKS / VALLEY JOURNAL Adams holds the award he was presented on Sept. 14 as region five’s Direct Support Professional of the Year.

KATHI BEEKS / VALLEY JOURNAL

Rich Janssen, Jake’s father, has tattoos of his son’s writing on his forearm.

Stories by Jeff Smith of Anderson Broadcasting for the Valley

St. Ignatius woman charged with DUI, child endangerment

A St. Ignatius woman is accused of driving drunk with two small children in her car.

Amanda May Richter, 38, entered a plea of not guilty at District Court

in Polson on Sept. 13, to felony criminal child endangerment and misdemeanor DUI.

According to court records, on Aug. 3, at approximately 6 p.m.,

Polson man accused of stealing mother’s vehicle

A Polson man is accused of entering his mother’s residence and stealing her car. Bradley Clayton James Williams, 36, entered a plea of not guilty at District Court in Polson on Sept. 13 to felony charges of theft and burglary.

According to court records, on Aug. 10, Williams’ mother contacted law enforcement to report her 2013 Honda CVR as stolen from in front of her Polson residence. She told officers that she suspected her son had taken it. Later that same day, she reported that her son had returned the vehicle. Polson Police Officer Marcus Lindquist went to the area of the mother’s residence and located Williams walking nearby. During questioning, Williams admitted that he went into his mother’s residence without permission, took the keys to her Honda without permission, and took the Honda without permission.

Judge Brenda Gilbert of the 6th Judicial District filled in for Judge Molly Owen, and set the case for trial March 4.

Richter was in a minivan at Doug Allard’s Jam Factory in St. Ignatius. An anonymous person called her in as a possible drunk driver with two small children in her car.

A law enforcement officer responded to the scene and spoke with Richter. She was allegedly slurring her speech and denied drinking to the officer responding to the com-

plaint. She did acknowledge being “emotionally out of it,” but allegedly failed several field sobriety tests. She then became combative and had to be physically restrained

St. Ignatius man charged with felony theft, burglary

A St. Ignatius man is accused of breaking into a woman’s home and refusing to leave. Dayson Ellis Sherwood, 26, entered a plea of not guilty at District Court in Polson on Sept. 13 to felony theft and burglary charges.

According to court records, on July 15, a woman woke up to find a shirtless Sherwood sitting in a recliner in her living room. A door had been broken to gain entry to the residence. The woman and a family member at the residence had not given Sherwood permission to enter their home and wanted him to leave. Sherwood refused to leave. When the resident of the home attempted to make him leave, he allegedly slammed a door on her head. When responding law enforcement officers arrived, Sherwood claimed that he had permission to be in the residence. He also allegedly appeared to be under the influence of drugs and or alcohol.

Judge Brenda Gilbert is filling in for Judge Molly Owen. She set the case for trial March 4.

and handcuffed before being transported to jail.

Judge Brenda Gilbert of the 6th Judicial District filled in for Judge Molly Owen, and set the case for trial March 4.

Polson man accused of stealing abandoned vehicle

A Polson man is accused of stealing a car that was abandoned at a park. Michael Spotted Blanket, 36, entered a plea of not guilty at District Court in Polson on Sept. 13 to felony theft. According to court records, a man reported to law enforcement that his 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer was missing from Riverside Park. The Lancer had been marked by law enforcement that it would

be towed, if not removed by May 12. However, the vehicle was removed and not by Polson City officials. Polson Police later heard from a witness who reported where the Lancer could be located and Spotted Blanket was located nearby. He told police that he saw the removal notice on the vehicle and said he believed that anyone could take it. Police documented extensive damage to the

vehicle’s dashboard, transmission and ignition. The Lancer was purchased for $2,500.

Spotted Blanket also entered a plea of not guilty Sept. 13 to an unrelated drug possession charge for allegedly possessing fentanyl on Nov. 9, 2022.

Judge Brenda Gilbert of the 6th Judicial District filled in for Judge Molly Owen, and set the case for trial March 4.

Polson man gets 5 years with the DOC for selling drugs

A Polson man was committed at District Court in Polson on Sept. 13 to the Montana Department of Corrections for five years for selling oxycodone pills, containing fentanyl, three times to a confidential informant. Jalen Douglas Caye, 23, pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs.

According to court records, on July 21, 2022, a confidential informant was fitted with a transmitter for tracking and recording purposes, and given $120 to purchase three oxycodone pills containing fentanyl. The CI then went to Caye’s location and

was able to purchase two and a half pills for $100, and returned the balance of the money to Deputies with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The CI made two more controlled purchases of fentanyl-laced pills, one on July 26, 2022, involving nine pills for $300, and another July 27, 2022, involving seven pills for $360.

Judge Brenda Gilbert of the 6th Judicial District (Park and Sweet Grass Counties) filled in for Judge Molly Owen and ran the sentences concurrently to each other – meaning five years DOC for all three charges.

Lone Pine State Park in Kalispell hosts outdoor education programs

News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks

KALISPELL — Lone Pine State Park is hosting a series of outdoor education programs in September, including an introduction to archery program. Registration may be required depending on the program, and anyone interested should call the visitor center at 406-755-2706, ext. 0, to register.

Lone Pine State Park is 5 miles southwest of Kalispell and offers views

of the valley, 7.5 miles of trails, and an interpretive center with information on living in a wildlife-urban interface. Additional amenities include a picnic shelter and a community room, which are both available to rent, as well as a volleyball court, horseshoe pit, and an archery range. Lone Pine offers a variety of educational and interpretive programs throughout the year. For more information, visit: https://fwp.mt.gov/ stateparks/lone-pine or call 406-755-2706.

Lake County Marriages and Divorces for August

Marriages

Andrea Dawn Brown and Danell G. Thingelstad

Amy Elizabeth Mund and Matthew Roy Hanson

Andrew D. Wheeler and Jackie Jo Smith

Kyle Patrick Bagnel and Mackenzie N. Thuringer

Thomas Shull Lemire and Katherine M. Bossler

Carly N. Hosford-Israel and Cameron W. Martell

Wanda Marie Wetzel and Peter Joseph Halpin

Kayla M. Forman and Xavier D. Harris

Cameron A. Reese and Tatyana L. Schenderline

Amy I. Kloppenburg and Charles S. Hatfield

Kendric James Hale and Gabielle L. Mitchell

Howard F. Long and Erika Sandoval

Destiny S. Baker and Brandon Morris Parker

John Tyrel Maughan and Nicole Ryan Evangeline

Caleb Daniel Flora and Aurora Allynn Doll

Debra Ann Burchinal and Wesley M. Winslette

Kristin Rachel Dolezal and Nathaniel Bruce Fennen

Alfred Ulric Prevost and Leslie Gail Johnston

Brianna P. Looney and Travis S. Page

Aaliyah S. Cunnington and Marty J. Wallace Sr.

Divorces

James Krell and Stephanie Childers

Barret B. Sargent and Mackenzie L. Sargent (Savage restored)

Nicholas K. Wirtz and Katie P. Wirtz (Campbell restored)

Terrill L. Thomas and Amy L. Thomas (Henson restored)

tabling event here at Lone Pine State Park. Pop in any time between 10 a.m. and noon. to learn about our featured subject.

Featured Subject: Leave No Trace: What is it?

Meeting Place: Lone Pine State Park Visitor Center Classroom

Bear Safety in the Fall and Bear Hibernation Behaviors

Saturday, Sept. 30, 1011:30 a.m.

Meeting Place: Lone Pine State Park Picnic Shelter

Lone Pine State Park is open year-round, and the visitor center is open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Snake Wednesdays

Wednesday, Sept. 20 Meeting Place: Lone Pine State Park Visitor Center

Camo, the bull snake that lives at Lone Pine State Park’s Visitor Cen-

ter, is famed across the valley for his skills as a wildlife ambassador. Visit Camo and learn more about this often-misunderstood species, and watch Camo eat his weekly meal. Registration is not required for this informal program. Cost is free ($8 park entry fee still applies to out-ofstate vehicles).

Pop-up Program at Lone Pine in September Friday, Sept. 22, 10 a.m.- noon

Enjoy our upcoming

A popular motto to live by, learn about the 7 principles of Leave No Trace and why they are so important to implement in our daily lives and enjoyment of the parks. Whether you are exploring your backyard state parks, national parks, or even your local outdoor spaces, these principles can guide you in creating a happy and healthy relationship with your environment.

Registration is not required for this drop-in program. Cost is free ($8 park entry fee still applies to out-of-state vehicles).

With the change of the seasons comes a very important time of the year for one of Montana’s most popular mammals. Fall means intense preparation for the winter by bears. Come hear about what fall and the change of the seasons means for Montana’s two species of bear. This program will be an informative and engaging way to also learn about why bears hibernate and what that means for human exploration in the wintertime.

Registration is required for this event. Please call 406-755-2706 ext. 0 to register, as space is limited. Cost is free ($8 park entry fee still applies to out-of-state vehicles).

Girl Scouts, Arlee CDC celebrate ‘SuperSheroes’

ARLEE – The Arlee Community Development Corporation is hosting a SuperShero party with the Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming on Thursday, Oct. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Arlee CDC.

“A Shero is a female hero or role model who inspires girls to make a difference in their communities,” said Marie Corcoran-Kloberdanz, food

pantry coordinator for the Arlee CDC. “We’re inviting girls to dress as their favorite Shero or bring an item that represents an inspiration for them. We’ll have a fun crafts project making capes and masks, have costumes for dress-up, and serve hot dogs and treats. Erin Steuer from the Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming will be here, and we hope to create interest in starting a Girl Scout troop in Arlee.”

The SuperShero party is open to all girls in grades K-5 and will be held at the Arlee CDC office at 92555 Hwy. 93 in Arlee.

Lone Pine Sate Park News from the Arlee Community Development Corporation

valley views Affordable housing – or not?

Iwrite as a concerned tax payer in Lake County. I’ve learned the Ronan City Planning Board is reviewing a proposed major subdivision (as defined by Montana law). The proposal is to create a 221 lot subdivision, with allowance to have duplexes for a total of 442 units (w/additional lots in a future review). These lots are planned for an undeveloped property of less than 131 acres on the edge of Ronan and would allow for single or multi-family use. With an average of two individuals in a unit, we’re looking at a substantial increase to the population of Ronan (442-884 residents not including children whom are often found in affordable

housing).

These new residents will need city water, sewer, fire and police protection, medical services, and for children – education facilities.

I understand K. William Harvey Elementary School is already at capacity and busing students to Pablo.

Ronan currently has a shortage of doctors and teachers. Lake County Solid Waste has stated the division would have a substantial effect on Lake County’s solid waste services.

Our current tax base is not keeping pace with community needs. Property taxes will need to increase to handle the influx of new residents

Valley Views

Carlene Vey Ronan resident

demanding services. Water and sewer services will need to be expanded to this undeveloped property and city streets will need to be built. These things occur before any homes or duplexes are built - well before the finished units are paying any property taxes. The units are being proposed as affordable, however, affordable to whom has not been defined. When pressed for details, we were told at the Planning Board meeting they would probably bring in modular homes to begin with. Note: These would be

built offsite by non-local residents. Although modular homes are somewhat more affordable, it must be noted tax revenue on a modular home is much lower than tax revenue on a stick built home of the same size, even though the home needs the same city provided services.

I am a third generation Lake County resident and I am all for affordable housing. I agree such housing is in very short supply. However, I do not believe crowding 221-442 units on a 130.87 acre property is the answer to the problem. We need wellplanned smaller subdivisions spread around the city and county with local developers considering the needs of the

Busy summer ends, fall programs resume

Wow, what a busy summer. We have had so much happening at the library both in our temporary space and with our building renovation. We wrapped up our annual Summer Reading Program Aug. 17 with ice cream, prize giveaways and children’s book author Valerie Bolling. What a treat! Valerie

read to over 100 attendees, signed books, and visited with the children and their families. It was the perfect end to another great Summer Reading Program. This year we

community and working with city and county officials to match and grow resources to the development with overall quality of life in our community not being compromised. We do not need out-ofstate developers bringing in substandard housing that won’t contribute enough to the tax base to support itself making large profits at the expense of Ronan City taxpayers. Can our community afford that? I think not.

If you share my concern, please attend the Planning Board public hearing regarding this matter. Date of public hearing is to be posted. The City of Ronan is required to take final action on or before deadline of Oct. 18. An

introductory report for Mission Valley Homesites Phased Major Subdivision dated Aug. 1, 2023 is available at Ronan City Hall. Please let your voice be heard.

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.

had nearly 500 people register, 7,735 hours read, and 161 people completing all 10 levels of the program. We receive such wonderful support from our community through

grants, donations, and program presentations every year. We couldn’t do it without all of you. Get ready for next year as “Adventure Begins at Your Library.”

Director,

At the end of July we held a Community Conversation to discuss technology for the library’s renovated community room for those who are hard of

hearing. This was part of our ALA LTC Accessibility grant. Those in attendance heard from James Rowe from OTOjOY about how hearing loop systems work, and as a group we agreed that installing a hearing loop system in the library’s community room and desk loops at

see page 11

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.

Abbi Dooley,

North Lake County Public Library District

View from the Library

from page 10

the library’s two new circulation desks is the best use of our grant funds. These systems will be installed in the coming months as our renovation nears completion. One key point we learned is that in the USA the default setting is to turn off the t-coil in hearing aids. Check with your audiologist to see if your hearing aids have t-coil and ask them to turn it on so you will be ready to enjoy the benefits of the hearing loop the next time you attend a program at the renovated library. We will also have several systems available for those who do not have hearing aids or whose hearing aids do not have t-coil. With fall upon us, we return to Story Time on Thursday mornings with a new time of 10 a.m. Felicia has lined up some special guests throughout the fall, so be sure to bring children ages 3-5 (siblings welcome) to these great programs. For the littlest library patrons, we offer Mother Goose on Mondays at 9:15 a.m. Children from birth through two will enjoy stories, songs and more. Playtime is for two and under only for safety. The Page Turners, our youth book club, returns this month with “Because of Mr. Terupt” by Rob Buyea. Middle school and high school students may stop into the library to pick up a free copy of the book and then join us Sept. 27 at 3:30 p.m. to discuss it. Also, for this age group, we

have the TAG (teen advisory group) meeting on Polson School’s half-day Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. Lunch is provided as well as crafts, games, program planning, book recommendations and more. This is a great way to meet other teens and have an active role in the library.

With our limited space in our temporary location, we are not able to host large programs, but we are participating in three virtual programs through the Montana State Library over the next three months. On Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. Kyle Langley will present Bison Archaeology in Glacier National Park. Visit our website for registration information and watch our website and socials for future programs.

September is “Library Card SignUp Month.” Do you have a library card and know all the wonderful things it can do? Stop in and chat with us about it. We will be closed Friday, Sept. 22, for a staff training day. Our hours have changed slightly. We are open Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at our temporary location. Curbside pickup is available for everyone during open hours. Please call us at 406-883-8225 or email us at: polsoncl@polson.lib.mt.us with questions or to request curbside pickup. Visit our website at: www.northlakecountylibrary.org for more information.

lettersRespond to challenges with care

Editor,

One year ago, I submitted a letter to the editor in which the first paragraph was this: “Our nation is presently going through a very present political crisis. This crisis is a clear example of the outworking of our human frailties. These frailties involve anger, attack, and blaming others for our own problems.”

Does this sound familiar? It went on to say that these frailties are clearly a part of the Trump character and behavior. We all know how his presidency enlivened these human frailties in others.

Beyond politics and beyond all our harsh judgments, let’s consider this:

We each face life having to make choices on how we face challenges. We can face challenges with anger, attack, and blaming others for our problems or with positive thoughts and actions involving reason, sensibility, and taking personal responsibility for our own problems.

Life is like a classroom. We can either listen and follow classmates demonstrating anger, attack, and blaming others, or pay attention to our teacher and choose sensible reasoning and taking responsibility for our own problems. We each have this choice

. Bob McClellan Polson

New laws already having a positive impact

The 2023 legislative session wrapped up less than five months ago. Many bills don’t go into effect until Oct. 1 of this year, Jan. 1 of next year, or later. But several of the bills that became law this spring and summer are already having a noticeable impact in Montana.

Perhaps the most stark example of this is prosecuting human trafficking. Before the 2023 Legislature, no one had ever been convicted under Montana’s old laws against human trafficking, with the out-

dated laws not providing law enforcement the tools they needed. That changed in July when prosecutors in Gallatin County charged 18 people on prostitution and human trafficking counts.

Legislative Notes

What was the reason for the sudden change? House Bill 112 by Billings Republican Rep. Jodee Etchart, which strengthened Montana’s laws against human trafficking and

went into effect on April 19.

Also on the matter of public safety, the vacancy rate of prison guard and correctional officer positions at the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge has been reduced by about half since the Legislature enacted pay increases and made a major investment in the prison’s infrastructure.

Housing is another

area of concern that’s beginning to see positive impacts from work done in the recent legislative session. Cities are updating their zoning codes to be more friendly toward building affordable starter homes, with some, like Whitefish, explicitly saying they wouldn’t have done so without a mandate from the Legislature. One new law passed by Republicans is already being credited with the creation of 162 new housing units in Missoula.

Senate Bill 295 from Ethridge Republican

Sen. Butch Gillespie set the stage for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to begin taking steps for Montana to assume management of grizzly bears. Thanks to that legislation, the state should be ready to conserve and manage grizzly populations when the federal government relinquishes its control over the bears.

And perhaps most obviously, hundreds of thousands of Montanans now have more money in their pocket thanks to tax relief passed by Republicans. Families have received thousands

Stop fighting over deck chairs while ship is on fire, sinking

by John Miksad for Peace Voice

We are currently facing three inter-related existential crises:

—Climate change causing droughts, storms, floods, killer heatwaves, wildfires and rapidly approaching global tipping points. In addition to the death and destruction resulting from these natural disasters, some experts predict more than a billion climate refugees in the world by 2050. Imagine the social, economic, and political impact of a tenfold increase in refugees around the world.

—Pandemics- Covid killed more than a million Americans and millions more around the world and experts predict we will experience more pandemics at a higher frequency as a result of bio lab releases,

continued incursion into wild habitat, and factory farming. A recent report estimates there are some 1.7 million unknown viruses in the animal kingdom with 850,000 of them potentially transferable to humans.

—Nuclear Annihilation- The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists have set their symbolic “Doomsday Clock” to 90 seconds to midnight, the closest in its 75-year history. Nuclear war was off our collective radar (so to speak) for many years.

Now, as a result of the proxy war between the two major nuclear superpowers in Ukraine and the new nuclear arms race, we are once again just one ghastly decision or dreadful miscalculation away from annihilation. The latest studies indicate that a full nuclear exchange between the US and

Russia would kill five billion of the eight billion people on the planet and end civilization. Even a relatively smaller exchange between India and Pakistan could wipe out two billion people. Of course, we would take many other species with us. It’s not called MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction) for nothing.

These threats ...

—threaten all people of all nations. These threats do not respect national borders. For the first time in human history, all nations of the world have mutual interests.

—cannot be addressed by militarism yet the U.S. government is spending $880+ billion on the Pentagon which is more than 50 percent of Federal discretionary spending and more than the next 10 countries

combined.

—are relatively new in human history and therefore require new solutions.

—cannot be solved by any one nation. They require, by definition, international cooperation.

We are stuck in an obsolete and destructive paradigm that is characterized by “might makes right,” zero-sum games, endless arms races leading to MAD (mutually assured destruction), treating the world as a geopolitical chessboard, and practically continuous war over land, resources, power, and ideology. While we are told repeatedly by our government how critical these wars are, we are essentially fighting over deck chairs while the ship is on fire and sinking.

These existential threats

of dollars in property tax and income tax rebates in the few short months since legislators left Helena.

Whether it’s public safety, housing, wildlife conservation, tax relief, or any of a whole host of other issues, the Legislature has a real, tangible impact on the lives and wellbeing of Montanans. Even more good results will be on the way as additional legislation goes into effect.

Sen. Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, is the president of the Montana Senate.

require a new international relations paradigm that is characterized by:

—strong, democratized international institutions.

—de-escalation of hostilities.

—an end to the demonization of one another.

—relentless diplomacy leading to trust and cooperation.

—international treaties in all domains. We are only safe and secure when all nations feel safe and secure.

—an end to great power conflictual orientation.

—much smaller military budgets and the use of international nonviolent systems to resolve conflicts.

—a reduction leading to the abolition of nuclear weapons.

—an end to the barbaric see page 14

Senator Jason EllsworthS R-Hamilton

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: $13.21/hr Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Part Time Seasonal Grounds Maintenance

Salary Range: $11.30 - $13.21 per hour DOE

Closing Date: Open until filled

Assistant Director/Lead Teacher – Early Learning Center (10 months, full time)

Salary Range: $38,880 - $45,725 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 Fille

Custodial Services Supervisor

Salary Range: $18.28 – $18.72 DOEE

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Office Professions Faculty (9 months, full time)

Salary Range: $43,823 - $46,227 DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Accounting Tech/Accounts Receivable

Salary Range: $16.54 - $16.97 DOEE

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Truck Driving Instructor-PT (9 months)

Salary Range: $18.19 - $19.53 DOEE

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

IT/Computer Science Faculty

Salary Range: $45,025 - $49,883

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Academic Transfer Specialist

Salary Range: $33,507 - $35,307 DOEE Closing Date: Monday, August 21, 2023; 4:00pm Security Officer Part-Time

Salary Range: $12.57/hr - $13.84/hr DOEE

Closing Date: Monday, August 14, 2023; 4:00pm

Division of Education Instructor/Early Childhood Technology (9 months)

Salary Range: $46,227- $52,237 DOEE

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Nursing Faculty/Clinical Instructor (10 Months) 2 openings

Salary Range: $53,531-$55,935 DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled Nursing Director

Salary Range: $75,477 -$77,080 DOEE

Closing date: Open Until Filled

Climate Hub and Natural Resources Administrative Assistant

Salary Range: $16.97/hr-$18.28/hr DOEE

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Native American Studies Cultural Specialist/Instructor (9 months)

Salary Range: $25.01/hr-$29.63/hr DOEE

Closing Date: Monday, September 11,2023; 4:00pm

College & Career Readiness Coach (3 positions open)

Salary range: $17.35/hr-$20.17/hr DOEE

Closing Date: Monday, September 11,2023; 4:00pm

College Career Readiness Mentor (5 Positions Open)

Salary Range: $17.35/hr-$20.17/hr DOEE

Closing Date: Monday, September 11, 2023; 4:00pm

NYCP College & Career Readiness Instructor (9 months)

Salary Range: $25.01/hr-$29.63/hr DOEE

Closing Date: Monday, September 11, 2023; 4:00pm

Early Learning Center-Preschool Teacher (9.5 months)

Salary range: $15.33/hr-$17.24/hr DOEE

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Early Learning Center-Toddler Teacher (9.5 months)

Salary Range: $15.33/hr-$17.24/hr DOEE

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Early Learning Center-Lead Infant Teacher (9.5 months)

Salary Range: $22.48/hr-$23.22/hr DOEE

Closing Date: Monday, September 11, 2023; 4:00pm

Early Learning Center-Assistant Teacher (9.5 months)

Salary Range: $15.01/hr-$16.92/hr DOEE

Closing Date: Monday, September 11, 2023; 4:00pm

TREES Student Program Coordinator

Salary Range: $34,407-$36,207 DOEE

Closing Date: Monday, September 11, 2023; 4:00pm

Library Assistant (part time)

Salary Range: $13.06/hr-$13.93/hr DOEE

Closing Date: Monday, September 11, 2023; 4:00pm

Indigenous Research Center (IRC) Program Assistant

Salary Range: $38,443-$40789 DOEE

Closing Date: Monday, September 11, 2023; 4:00pm

Indigenous Research Center (IRC) IRM&M Library &Repository Manager

Salary Range: $50,176-$53,696 DOEE

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Instruction Outreach Services Librarian

Salary Range:$20.17-$21.87/hr DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Instructional Designer/Faculty (12 months)

Salary Range: $60,033 - $64,831 DOEE

Closing Date: Monday, September 25, 2023; 4:00pm

Accounting Tech/Receptionist

Salary Range: $14.16 - $14.48/hr DOEE

Closing Date: Monday, October 2,2023; 4:00pm

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

stop fighting

Investments made to help restore Bison populations, grassland ecosystems

from page 12

institution of war. War needs to join slavery, child labor, and treating women as chattel in the dustbin of history.

—focus (time, energy, attention, money) on the real threats to our safety and security.

People tell me that humanity has been at war for all of recorded history. I respond by saying that we are (supposedly) rational creatures with a built-in evolutionary survival instinct. If that is true, we can change when required. It is now required that we evolve if we are to survive.

There are a number of governments in the world that are stuck in the old paradigm. I believe that the people of those nations will need to demand these changes from their governments who are leading us all to our doom. Consider joining or creating a non-violent action on September 21st which is the International Day of Peace to start this process. Everything we hold dear depends on it. The Doomsday clock is ticking ever closer toward midnight.

Martin Luther King was correct when he said we will either learn to live together as brothers and sisters or perish together as fools. The choice is ours.

John Miksad is Chapter Coördinator with “World Beyond War.”

$5 million in funding will further goals of Department’s Grasslands Keystone Initiative

News from the Dept. of the Interior

WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior recently announced $5 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to support the restoration of bison populations and grassland ecosystems in Tribal communities. The funding will support Tribally led initiatives to strengthen bison conservation and expansion, improved management of existing herds, and ecosystem restoration efforts in native grassland habitats. These investments advance the Biden-Harris administration’s America the Beautiful initiative.

The funding advances the Department’s new Grasslands Keystone Initiative, unveiled as part of a restoration and resilience framework that is guiding $2 billion in investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act to restore lands and waters and advance climate resilience.

“The American bison is inextricably intertwined with Indigenous culture, grassland ecology and American history. While the overall recovery of bison over the last 130 years is a conservation success story, significant work remains to not only ensure that bison will remain a viable species but also to restore grassland ecosystems, strengthen rural economies dependent on grassland health and provide for the return of bison to Tribally owned and ancestral lands,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “This new funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda will help support Tribal efforts to restore this iconic species and integrate Indigenous Knowledge into the Department’s shared stewardship goals.”

“The Interior Department recognizes the crucial role of utilizing Indigenous Knowledge in our biggest resource conservation and management challenges, including our work to preserve and enhance Tribal bison herds,” said Assistant

Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland. “Through historic funding from the Biden-Harris administration, we can support Tribes in maintaining and rebuilding their herds, which are central to their cultural, spiritual and nutritional traditions, while also improving and preserving the ecosystems that sustain both bison and Tribal communities.”

The investments announced today support Secretary’s Order 3410, which will enhance the Interior Department’s work to restore wild and healthy populations of American bison and the prairie grassland ecosystem through collaboration among Department bureaus and partners such as other federal agencies, states, Tribes and landowners using the best available science and Indigenous Knowledge.

The funding includes $3.5 million from the Inflation Reduction Act that will support the InterTribal Buffalo Council’s herd development and apprenticeship program created by S.O. 3410. The Council is a collection of 80 Tribes in 20 states that facilitates the management of more than 20,000 buffalo.

An additional $1.5 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is available through the Bureau of Indian Affairs to federally recognized Tribes and Tribal organizations to support Tribal bison herd expansion interests, including a focus on ecosystem restoration through bison conservation. For information on the applica-

tion process, please visit the BIA’s Division of Natural Resources webpage.

American bison once numbered 60 million in North America, with the population anchored in what is now the central United States. Many Indigenous cultures, especially in areas where the species was most abundant, developed strong ties with bison and relied upon them for sustenance, shelter, and cultural and religious practices.

In the 19th century, bison were nearly driven to extinction through uncontrolled hunting and a U.S. policy of eradication tied to intentional harm against and control of Tribes. By 1889, only a few hundred wild bison remained. The persecution of bison contributed to the decline of healthy grassland ecosystems and, eventually, to the Dust Bowl in the 1930s. The loss of the keystone species, coupled with land conversion, led to declines of other important grassland wildlife, such as migratory birds and pollinators.

Beginning in the early 20th century with the support of President Theodore Roosevelt, conservationists and scientists made a collective effort to restore the American bison. Since then, collaborative conservation and restoration efforts have increased the number of wild bison in the United States from fewer than 500 to more than 15,000. The Interior Department currently manages 11,000 bison in herds across 4.6 million acres of U.S. public lands in 12 states, and will continue to work closely with state and Tribal wildlife and livestock managers to maintain healthy populations of grassland dependent species

While the security of the species is a conservation success worth celebrating, bison exist well below historic numbers in vast stretches of grasslands ecosystems, extracting a heavy toll on the human cultures and ecosystems with which bison coevolved. Today’s announcement will help advance bison restoration efforts to grasslands, which can enhance soil development, restore native plants and wildlife, and promote carbon sequestration, providing benefits for agriculture, outdoor recreation, and Tribes.

“

The American bison is inextricably intertwined with Indigenous culture, grassland ecology and American history ... This new funding will help support Tribal efforts to restore this iconic species.”

- Deb Haaland, Dept. of the Interior Secretary

Polson celebrates homecoming with athletic team wins

Polson’s sports teams prevailed in their homecoming games last wekeend. The Polson Pirate football team beat the Ronan Chiefs, 48-10, in last Friday’s conference match-up. The Pirates came out strong in the first quarter with 12 points to Ronan’s 3. They sailed further ahead with another 23 points answered by Ronan with 7. Both teams held each other to zero points gained in the third. Polson ended the fourth quarter with an additional 10, ending the game 48-10. Both teams are 2-2 on the season.

Lady Pirate vollyeball players won the “Battle for the Paddle” against county rivals the Ronan Maidens. Polson prevailed 3-1 in their Sept. 16 homecoming game. In their homecoming soccer game on Sept. 12, the Polson Boy’s soccer team came away with the win against Bigfork, 4-1. The Lady Pirates didn’t fare as well, falling to their Valkryie opponents 1-3. Polson girls soccer did prevail in a Sept. 9 game against the Libby Loggers, 3-1. Polson boy’s soccer also won their game against Libby, 3-0.

see page 16

BOB GUNDERSON PHOTO Tommy Sherry runs in a touchdown after an interception during the Sept. 15 homecoming football game. Below : the Lady Pirates won the “Battle for the Paddle” in their rivalry match up with the Ronan Maidens last Saturday, 3-1.

SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL School pride was on display during Friday afternoon’s homecoming parade.

BOB GUNDERSON PHOTO

BOB GUNDERSON PHOTO

Lady Pirate soccer player Kellyn Hanson battles for control in a Sept. 12 game against Bigfork.

Polson homecoming

from page 15

Polson’s cross country teams took first place with top 3 finishers for both boys and girls in their Sept. 13, 3-mile Wilderness South races in Libby.

Polson’s Jackson Bontadelli clocked the fastest time in the boy’s race at 17:27. Teammate David DiGiallonardo finished second with 17:53 while Brandt Heninger took third at 17:57.

For the girl’s team, Morgan Delaney took first with a time of 20:42 followed closely by teammates Adison Carlson and Isabel Seeley who came in second and third

with times of 21:41 and 21:58, respectively. Lady Pirates Brittian Davis placed sixth at 23:55 and Katelyn Smith ninth with a time of 24:42.

Polson Pirate golfers won both boys and girls titles in their Sept. 11 Pirate Invite Tournament at the Polson Bay Golf Course.

Hunter Emerson finished fourth with at one under par with a total score of 71 while teammate Carson Hupka placed fifth, even, with a total score of 72. Teammates Christian Lund, Espn Fisher and Torrin Ellis placed sixth, 8th and 9th with total scores of 73, 75 and 79 respectively.

Ashley Maki was the top lady golfer for Polson with a third place finish and score of 83. Teammate Kylee Seifert tied for fourth with a score of 84 while Clare Konen claimed sixth place at 88.

Polson athletes Brock Henriksen and Adison Carlson were crowned Polson’s 2023 Homecoming King and Queen during halftime at Friday night’s football game.

A detailed schedule for Polson athletic teams can be found in the Sept. 6 issue of the Valley Journal or at the school’s website: polson.k12. mt.us.

BOB GUNDERSON PHOTO Polson’s homecoming court from left includes: King Brock Henriksen, Christian Lund, Anthony Lichtenberg, Espn Fisher, Hannah Simpson,Avery Starr, Julia Barnard, Queen Adison Carlson.

BOB GUNDERSON PHOTO Polson’s 2023 homecoming king and queen are Brock Henriksen and Adison Carlson.

SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL Polson Pirate football players ride atop a firetruck during Friday’s homecoming parade.

Left : Cherry Valley student, left, smiles and waves from a float.

BOB GUNDERSON PHOTO

Polson’s cheer squad cheered on their Lady Pirate volleyball players during last week’s match with the Whitefish Lady Bulldogs.

BOB GUNDERSON PHOTO McKenna Hanson hits the ball of the net for Polson during a Sept. 12 game against Whitefish.

SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL Homecoming queen candidate Julia Barnard waves during the homecoming parade.

SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL

BOB GUNDERSON PHOTO

BOB GUNDERSON PHOTO

Ronan running back Wiljames Courville looks for a pocket during the Sept. 15 game against Polson.

Ronan volleyball player Bailee Woll makes a dig in the Sept. 16 match against Polson.

Warriors take down Bulldogs on the gridiron

Story and photo by Beau Biggs for the Valley Journal

ST. IGNATIUS –– The Arlee Warriors prevailed 16-0 in a Sept. 15 football game against the Mission Bulldogs on the dog’s home turf. The Warriors picked up a second touchdown in the second quarter. The Warriors sealed the game in the fourth quarter when they intercepted the ball from Mission with minutes left on the clock.

The Bulldogs appeared disappointed but determined with a shout out as they headed into the locker: “We can do better.”

Arlee Head Coach Quinn Huisman said the Warriors have four wins under their belt so far this season. He said the team has a good mix up with players from each grade. Huisman added that the team’s positive outlook has kept them going. “These seniors have believed in the program since freshman year, and when things didn’t go great, they just stayed with it,” he said.

Huisman also spoke with pride about how much effort his Warriors put in during the off season in the weight room. He added that he is also proud of how the team has created a “brotherhood.”

“Next week we play Superior,” Huisman said. “They’re one of the top teams in our division, and so this week, we’re just gonna stay focused on them.” The Warriors play Superior at home

$14M secured to strengthen MT’s energy grid

Grid Resilience grant funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will help guard the grid against wildfires, extreme weather events.

Act. Tester was the only member of Montana’s congressional delegation to support IIJA and was one of the lead bipartisan negotiators who crafted the package.

Debris burning closed until Oct. 1

News from CSKT Division of Fire

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced today he secured more than $14 million to strengthen Montana’s energy grid against wildfires and extreme weather events. This funding comes from the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants program which Tester secured as part of his bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs

“As a third-generation Montana farmer, I know firsthand that wildfires and extreme weather events can disrupt electricity and create real challenges for communities across our state,” said Tester. “Montana small businesses and families need an energy grid they can rely on, which is why I’m proud to have secured this funding in my bipartisan infrastructure law to modernize Montana’s electric grid and help make sure we can keep the power on all across our state.”

The funding secured by Tester will improve the reliability and resilience of the electrical grid

by reducing the vulnerability to disruptive events and the consequences of outages to community facilities and critical infrastructure. The grant funding will be used to limit wildfire ignition from transmission and distribution equipment and increase the skilled workforce in Montana to operate and maintain resilience measures.

Tester has led the charge to bolster Montana’s robust energy portfolio and modernize the state’s power grids. Through the IIJA, he secured significant investments to improve and modernize Montana’s electrical grid to support the next generation of energy. His bipartisan infrastructure law also supports clean energy research and development in the Montana University System.

The Division of Fire would like to let the public know that debris burning is illegal during the fire season months of July, August, and September on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Open debris burning starts Oct. 1. The current fire danger on the Flathead Reservation is moderate, but the Division of Fire would like to stress safety when outdoors and with having campfires.

If you have any questions call the Division of Fire at 406-676-2550

Join the school supply drive

News from Unity Bank

MISSION VALLEY — From Sept. 1-30 bring school supply items to your local Unity Bank and for every donation, you will be entered into a drawing for every donation you will be entered into a drawing to win a $250 gift card and an opportunity to win a $250 donation to a local charity of your choice. Let’s make an impact together.

Couture, Marengo win South Dakota gold in table tennis

PIERRE SOUTH DAKOTA — Teammates Ron Couture of Ronan and Monty Marengo of Polson brought back five gold medals from the 2023 South Dakota Senior Olympics’ played on Sept. 7 in Pierre, South Dakota.

Couture won the singles (ages 54-58 age group) round robin tournament play with a 2-1 record and teamed up with Marengo to also win the tournament men’s doubles play. It was the first of many tournaments for Couture who stated he will also play singles and doubles next August in Cheyenne, Wyoming, senior games.

All 50 states have senior Olympics games starting at the age of 50 plus and in most cases offer over sixteen sports from pickle ball, tennis, table tennis, basketball, golf, track and field among ten other sports. Top three in each state quality for

the national games played every two years. Marengo won the coed doubles with female partner Marva Graves of Rapid City, South Dakota, and men’s doubles with Couture also in round robin play (games playrd are best of three games to eleven). Marengo also won the single bracket against two-time South Dakota State champion Curt Pochardt of Rapid City. All three games went overtime with Pochardt winning the first game 14-12, and Marengo winning the final two games 14-12 and 12-10.

It was the first of four state championships Margengo has won: Montana state champion 2007 and 2008, Idaho (2009), Arizona (2013) and South Dakota 2023. For both Couture and Marengo it was a trip about great experiences and meeting great players. Couture added he was “surprised about the quality of play among older players in their early 70s and beyond.”

News from Bryan Moser, Rapid City South Dakota News

PHOTO BY BRYAN MOSER / RAPID CITY SOUTH DAKOTA NEWS

Participants compete in a table tennis tournament at the 2023 South Dakota Senior Olympics.

News from the office of Senator Tester

Racers compete, show love to fans at Super Oval

POLSON — The grandstands were loaded and the cars were roaring for the championship races at the Mission Valley Super Oval on Saturday, Sept. 16.

Racer Kyle Basler noted one of the important elements of the event: “This sport wouldn’t be possible without the fans.” And to show appreciation to the fans, a multitude of bikes were raffled off for all the kids who came to watch the event.

Lakota Matt, another racer, said: “I came here as

Partnership promotes good hunter behavior

a kid, and I would watch, and the next step for me was to find a car and become a racer myself.” He credited friends and family with helping build his race

car.

Tony Undem, track owner, said every year the races get better. He added, “Last weekend was some of the best racing we’ve

seen out here in years.” Undem said the races are exciting but they also come with the possibility that drivers might crash. “As a promoter, I don’t want to see that but I know the crowd wants some action on the track, especially with the hobby stock class.”

During the event, a crash did occur. One car ended up on top of another. Both drivers walked away from the wreck with just bumps and bruises. The excitement continued soon after the crash was cleared from the track as another car blew its engine.

HELENA —

To promote the importance of hunter ethics and improved hunter behavior, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is partnering for a second year with several hunting and agriculture organizations to “protect the hunt.” While the campaign encourages hunters to always practice conscientious behavior, it focuses particularly on showing respect for private land and the access landowners provide.

The slogan is: It’s up to us. Respect access. Protect the hunt.

Landowners play an important role in sustaining healthy wildlife populations, contributing to our economy and communities by creating jobs, and providing valuable habitat and treasured open spaces. But the relationship between hunters and landowners can start to fray when just a few hunters abuse the privilege of hunting on private land.

This year, the campaign will focus on five actions hunters can take to ensure the hunting tradition continues:

Plan ahead for access; Respect private property; Practice safe hunting behavior; Turn in poachers – call 1-800-TIPMONT; Gratitude goes a long way.

While excellent hunter behavior might be the norm in Montana, poor behavior, like not following landowner rules, trespassing, abusing access privileges, littering, and a host of other offenses, can lead to a decline in access opportunities. In fact, many hunters don’t know that not following rules for a block management area can result in a citation for hunting without landowner permission.

As part of the campaign, FWP will be distributing give-away items, such as can koozies and stickers. For more information on hunting ethics, working with landowners and to link to all the partners involved, go to: fwp.mt.gov/ ItsUpToUs.

Story and photos by Beau Biggs for the Valley Journal

News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Discover local food, agriculture at annual Pedal to Plate event

RONAN — This Saturday food and cycling enthusiasts will be visiting local farms and tantalizing their taste buds with local foods, under the backdrop of the breathtaking vistas of the Mission Mountain Range. The 2023 Mission Mountain Pedal to Plate will immerse 150 participants in a countryside bike tour that explores local heritage, scenery, community, and agriculture in the Ronan area.

This unique agritourism event was created to support local farms and businesses by a group of local volunteer organizers with fiscal sponsorship and support from Mission West Community Development Partners. Agritourism is the synthesis of agriculture and tourism and creates opportunities for local farms to bring in more revenue while engaging and educating visitors in agricultural practices, culture, and healthful, responsible food sourcing. Agritourism events like MMAPP support and highlight small-scale, local farms, contributing to the overall success of the farm and local food system. “For consumers, agritourism offers a chance to forge tangible connections with where their food comes from and the producers who raise and grow it,” says Liz Hansen, Food and Ag Development Coordinator at Mission West Community Development Partners, “when you add cycling to the mix, it results in a delightful, educational, and community-building event.”

This year, on Sept. 23, partic-

ipants will embark on a scenic journey, weaving along the scenic pastoral roads of the Mission Valley. Along the route, cyclists will make stops at five to seven local, sustainable farms and gardens, where they can savor delectable bites of locally sourced food while taking in some local farm education and exploration.

The pedaling tour commences and concludes in the heart of the agricultural community of Ronan. Cyclists can kickstart their day with a cup of coffee before setting off at 9 a.m. to explore the featured farms

along the route. Farm stops incorporates a food highlight produced by the farm and the opportunity to tour and learn from the producers operating each farm.

This year’s event is offering a few new features that have not been offered in events past. This year, MMAPP cycling participants can choose between two route options: a 50-mile route for those aiming to complete a half century, and a slightly shorter route of 38 miles. Both routes predominantly follow fully paved rural roads, with brief stretches of gravel (up to a

quarter mile) granting access to the rural farms.

MMAPP is also offering options for those less interested in cycling and more interested in supporting and experiencing local food. MMAPP historically concludes the day’s ride with a locally sourced dinner and an exclusive farmers’ market, but this year, non-cyclists will be able to partake in the post-ride festivities. This year’s delightful, locally sourced, family-friendly farm-to-table dinner will feature Ronan Cooperative Brewery’s beer, live local music from JIMnI, and an artisan’s farmers

market that takes place on the downtown streets of Ronan. A limited number of tickets are available for purchase at the ride for $40.

Mission Mountain Pedal to Plate promises an unforgettable day filled with exploration, delicious cuisine, and a deep connection to Montana’s agricultural roots. Registration is full this year, but the ride is held annually on the Saturday of the autumnal equinox. Mark your calendars for September 21, 2024. For registration and event details visit: www.bikereg.com/MMAPP.

News from Mission Mountain Area Pedal to Plate

FILE PHOTO

Cyclists pedal into “Awesome Acres” during the 2021 Pedal to Plate event.

MT Food for Montana Schools events connect producers, schools

From MSU News Service

BOZEMAN — A pair of events this fall will help incorporate local food into Montana students’ meals by connecting producers with schools.

The events, called Montana Food for Montana Schools, will be held Sept. 28 in Great Falls at the University of Providence and on Oct. 25 in Missoula at the Hilton Garden Inn, both from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.   Montana State University’s Montana Team Nutri-

tion program, the Montana Office of Public Instruction, Abundant Montana and other partners will host the two regional events. Montana producers, food businesses and school representatives are invited to attend.

“Serving local foods in schools is a win for producers, as it provides a financial opportunity; a win for students, as they are served nutritious and high-quality foods; and a win for the community as lasting connections are built,” said

Haley Scott, program lead at Montana Team Nutrition.

Each event will feature a farm-to-school training focused on local food procurement for school nutrition professionals and food producers, followed by a vendor show where producers and food businesses will be able to connect with school nutrition professionals.

“As part of our commitment to building a more resilient and reliable Montana food system, we’re thrilled to help

foster connections among local producers and schools,” said Erin Austin, director of community partners and sales at Abundant Montana. “Getting healthy foods to K-12 students across Montana is exciting and important work for Montana’s food security.”

“Montana has a long tradition of supporting its farmers and ranchers,” said Elsie Arntzen, superintendent of the Montana Office of Public Instruction. “This is another great opportunity for Montana

students to learn more about the rich agricultural heritage of our state. I encourage all of our schools to participate in the Montana-made program.”

The first Montana Foods for Montana Schools event was held in March in Hardin. This project is funded in part by a 2022 USDA Team Nutrition grant.

For more information and to register for one of the upcoming events, visit: www.montana. edu/mtfarmtoschool/resources/ training-event.html

RONAN — The Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire Fuels Program will be conducting prescribed fires on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Underburning is a type of prescribed fire treatment that reduces surface and ladder fuels under the forest canopy. While doing these prescribed burns, the DOF will try to minimize smoke impacts and restore healthy forest conditions. Prescribed burns are carefully planned and managed to reduce wildfire risk and mimic the natural role of fire on the landscape to maintain and restore healthy forest conditions. These prescribed burns are critical in areas ad-

jacent to communities at-risk of wildfire impacts.

Weather conditions need to be favorable. Favorable conditions include correct temperature, wind, fuel moisture, and ventilation of smoke. When these criteria are met, firefighters implement, monitor and patrol each burn to ensure it meets forest health and public safety goals.

Smoke will be visible several days after the prescribed burn. All prescribed burns will be implemented in compliance with Montana air quality standards and coordinated with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to reduce the impacts of smoke to neighbors, cooperators and surrounding communities.

ST. IGNATIUS — As of today, the CSKT Natural Resources Department has confirmed the water levels at Mission Reservoir have recovered sufficiently above the minimum pool elevation from the previously recorded low levels measured at the end of August.

Due to this recovery in water levels at Mission Reservoir, the CSKT Tribal Council has rescinded the fishing closure that had been enacted in August.

With this reopening of fishing activities at Mission Reservoir, the public is reminded that all recreational activities on tribally owned lands require a non-member person over the age of 11 to purchase a Tribal Conservation Permit.

Additionally, the Tribes reserve the right to post tribal lands and waters for additional

regulations and restrictions not contained herein pertaining to environmental protection, conservation, public safety and regulation pursuant to recommendations of the Tribal Natural Resources Department.

The Mission Dam is owned and operated as a federal asset under the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and the reservoir is utilized as a major storage facility for the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project (FIIP). As part of FIIP reservoir operations, the Project is required to maintain minimum water levels at selected reservoirs in order to protect tribal fisheries and provide sufficient water supply throughout the irrigation system.

If there are questions about any aspect of the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project, they should be directed to FIIP offices at 406-745-2661.

News from CSKT Division of Fire

News from CSKT Natural Resources

Prescribed fires on tribal lands planned this fall

Mission Reservoir fishing access restored

Montana centenarians to be honored in October

News from the DPHHS

MONTANA — The Department of Public Health and Human Services will honor Montana centenarians during the 54th annual Governor’s Conference on Aging on Oct. 3, 2023.

The annual conference will take place at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Great Falls. Centenarians will be honored during a noon luncheon.

DPHHS is asking Montanans who will turn age 100 as of Dec. 31, 2023, or those who are already over the age of 100, to submit their name and a brief profile.

“This is an excellent opportunity to honor Montana centenarians and to celebrate their lives,” said DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton. “I encourage Montanans to submit the requested information so they can be recognized.”

All centenarians who submit information will receive a recognition certificate from Governor Greg Gianforte.

Centenarians, friends or family members are encouraged to submit the following information:

(NOTE: The first five items are required in order

FALL CHILD FIND

For Ronan/Pablo Residents

CDC: Ages birth to 2 years 11 months old

Head Start and Preschool: Ages 3 to 5 years 11 months old

support of K. Wm. Harvey Elementary, Pablo Elementary and CDC

Friday, September 22, 2023 10

to receive a certificate.)  Centenarian’s name.

Contact person (who to send certificate to).

Contact person’s phone

number and email address.

Mailing address (where to send the certificate).

Birth date of centenarian.

Is the centenarian a veteran?

Where were they born?

What city do they live in now?

If not born in Montana, what is their story about

how they arrived to Montana?

What is the secret to their longevity?

What has been the most amazing event in their life that they would like to share?

What is their favorite quote?

Anything else they would like us to know about the centenarian?

Please provide a picture of the centenarian when the information above is submitted.

Please send centenarian information to:

Governor’s Conference on Aging - Centenarians

DPHHS - SLTC  P.O. Box 4210  Helena, MT 59604-4210

Or email Tessa Bailly, DPHHS Senior and Long Term Care Division, at: tessa. bailly@mt.gov.

This information can also be submitted online: Honoring Montana’s Centenarians - https:// mt.accessgov.com/dphhs/ Forms/Page/sltc/centenarian/0.

The annual Governor’s Conference on Aging was created in 1968 to offer

information and education to our older citizens, their families, and caregivers. Attendees include the elderly, persons with disabilities, caregivers, and service providers. There will also be several vendors on hand to share their information. The conference covers topics relevant to all people who are dealing with aging and disability issues.

Registration for the conference is now open. For more information about the event, including how to register, go to the conference website. Individuals can also call toll-free at 1-800-332-2272, or call the Senior and Long Term Care Division at 406-4444077.

“This is an excellent opportunity to honor Montana centenarians and to celebrate their lives.”

– DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton

Local youth headed to Draft Horse Classic Invitational in California

News from Kenn McCarty, Live Oak Belgians, Draft Horse Services

ST. IGNATIUS — Live Oak Belgians, Draft Horse Services of Lake County is preparing to head to the prestigious invitational draft horse show in California, the Draft Horse Classic, Sept. 21-24.

This will be Live Oak Belgians 23rd and last year to attend this show.  This show is exclusively for heavy draft horses which include breeds such as the Belgian, Shire, Suffolk, Percheron, American Cream, Brabant, Spotted Draft and Clydesdale. Thirty heavy draft horse breeds exist in the world and all are northern latitude horses but only these are represented in North America.

Live Oak Belgians accepts two junior youth apprentices. From the Saint Ignatius area, Lina Sturman (age 16) volunteers her time 3 to 6 days a week to work with and learn the care and maintenance of draft horses ... a position that was called a “Hostler” in yester-year... as well as learning the skills of teamstering.

Lina Sturman is a home-schooled student and is a member of the Mission Valley Ranch Hands 4-H club and is also a Montana State Ambassador Offi-

cer for 4-H.

At the Draft Horse Classic, Lina will be competing in a variety of classes for juniors including: showmanship, rail and obstacle classes. These classes involve driving single horses as well as teamstering pairs.

Lina comes from a farming family and is not new to horses and all manner of livestock. Her parents are David and Traci Sturman of Shady Maple Farms. Kenn and Susan McCarty of Live Oak Belgians feel privileged to be able to sponsor Lina and help her with her goals of agriculture academia as well as being a youth leader.

Live Oak Belgians, Draft Horse Services (www.LiveOakBelgians.com) is a draft horse service business that provides draft horses and a variety of carriages and wagons for different types of events. Owner, Kenn McCarty states ... “This is a three-part passion: 1 - the horses, 2 - the wagons, carriages and implements, and 3 - all the history that binds it all together. Generally speaking, there are five historic uses of draft horses: farming, freight hauling, forestry, fanfare, and fighting (warfare). We endeavor to use our horses in all but the last.”

COURTESY PHOTO

With Lina is Serenity Shore of Lake County (not a typo), California.

COURTESY PHOTO

Lina Sturman, wearing the black Stetson, is driving Mr. Max, a Flemmish style Belgian horse. Mr. Max stands 18.3 hands high and weighs 2,300 lbs. Lina has been an apprentice with Live Oak Belgians for five months and has previously competed at the Draft Horse Expo in Billings.

COURTESY PHOTO

Serenity (age 15) is driving Jimmy. Serenity has been an apprentice for Live Oak Belgians since she was 9 years old and has previously competed as a Pee Wee at the Draft Horse Classic three times.

Town Pump Food Bank Challenge underway

News from Polson Loaves & Fish

POLSON — The Town Pump Food Bank Challenge started Sept. 1 and runs through Nov. 30. Each year, Town Pump challenges the Montana food banks to fundraise money, and if we meet our goal, they match the donations. Our goal this year is to raise $15,000. Town Pump is dedicated to serving the needs of food insecurity in the state of Montana through our food banks.

All of our volunteers are dedicated to our families and will greet you with a smile and no judgement or labels. Our goal is that families feel

comfortable and safe when they use our pantry. We are 100% operated by volunteers

and all monies raised go to the purchase of nutritious foods for our clients. Our hope is that not one person goes hungry. During 2022 we served an average of 408 families per month. This year we have served an average of 478 families per month.

With the rising costs of fresh foods, i.e.: eggs, bread, milk, produce, and margarine, as well as the costs of shelf stable items, it is hard for smaller pantries to provide the food needed by their clients. With the help of the Town Pump, we are able to give our clients better choices

of healthy foods. We are also providing much needed fresh fruits and vegetables in the summer months thanks to the donations of local growers. These can be small family plots as well as local farmers. Our local stores also donate a lot of food to the pantry. We are all so thankful for the donations we receive from within/or outside our community as well as corporations. From the small donations, possibly from a child’s piggy bank, to the larger donations from community members and businesses we would all like to say, thank you.

During 2022 we served an average of 408 families per month. This year we have served an average of 478 families per month.

seniors

Polson

By Pete Mangels for the Valley Journal

POLSON — Saturday is the first day of fall and the harvest is well underway. If you have fresh garden produce you can donate to the center, bring it in. We are also getting a good response from those who are repurposing those green grocery bags for use in commodity distributions.

The membership drive is in full swing, and we are headed for a record year in membership. Speaking of records, the center hit an all-time high in meals served last month, with an average of about 90 meals per day. We are so thankful for the volunteer delivery people. Could you take a route once a week or fill in as a substitute driver? Routes are in or near Polson and take between 60 and 90 minutes to complete.

Flu and/or pneumonia shots are available on Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to noon. Bring your Medicare card for cost-free vaccinations.

Activities:

Bingo: $100.00 payout - bingo games Fridays at 7 p.m. “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 self-guidance

Pinochle: Thursdays noon-3 p.m.

Pool: open table from 8 a.m.3 p.m.

Veterans’ Rep: first Friday (Oct. 1) and third Tuesday (Oct. 17) 10 a.m.-noon

Menu (subject to change): A

Sweet moment

suggested donation of $5 helps support the Nutrition Program.

Serving from 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - sit-down or take-outcall before 10 a.m. for delivery.

— Wednesday, Sept. 20: meat potpie, biscuit, apple sauce, ramen coleslaw, orange fluff

— Thursday, Sept. 21: chili

dog, tater tots, fruit Jell-O, brownies

— Friday, Sept. 22: birthday dinner for lunch - roast beef, all the trimmings, cake

— Monday, Sept. 25: split pea soup, rhubarb muffin, cucumber salad, fruit

— Tuesday, Sept.26: French dip, tater tots, pickled beets,

raisin salad lemon pudding

We are located at 504 Third Ave. E and are open from 8 a.m.–3 p.m. on weekdays. Call 406-883-4735 or email us at: polsonseniorcenter@gmail. com.  Submit your email address for updates and additional information from the center.

Ronan

By Donna Daniels for the Valley Journal

RONAN — The Mission Valley Senior Center is located across from St. Luke’s Hospital. We are open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for lunch and other activities.

Our menu:

Wednesday, Sept. 20: brunch, salad, dessert

Friday, Sept. 22: barbecue chicken, salad, dessert

Monday, Sept. 25: sausage, peppers, salad, dessert

Wednesday, Sept. 27: pulled pork sandwiches, salad, dessert

The Ronan Senior Center is available for renting for your events. Call us if you are having an event and need a location to have it.

If your garden is producing faster than you can eat it, the Ronan Senior Center will take any excess you have. Thank you to all who have brought produce in.

cookies

— Wednesday, Sept. 27: chicken enchilada Spanish rice, black bean salad, key lime bars

— Thursday, Sept. 28: beef stew in a bread bowl, 3-bean salad, spice cake

— Friday, Sept. 29: pork chow mien, rice, egg roll, carrot

We are looking for help again. If you are interested, please stop in.

Pinochle is held every Monday from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at the center. Everyone is welcome. We also have a pool table available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to

see page 27

MARTY HENSEL PHOTO

Affectionate donkeys

2 p.m. Come join the fun.

Everyone is welcome to join our meals, no matter what age you are. We ask for a $7 donation for our Monday, Wednesday and Friday meals and $10 for our Sunday meal.

If you would like a meal delivered to your business just call us by 10 am. Also, we will gladly send you a menu if requested.

St. Ignatius

By Barb Plouffe for the Valley Journal

ST. IGNATIUS —

Be careful leaving your house in the evening … bears are out and about. We had a Grizzly in our orchard this week.

We will hold a rummage sale on Sept 22 and 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are also, raffling a basket that has a Pendleton outside blanket, coffee beans, a coffee grinder, coffee cups and two hooded shirts. Tickets are $1 or six for $5. We will hold the drawing on Sept. 23 at 4 p.m. The basket was donated by the St. Ignatius Valley Bank. We extend a big “Thank You” for their donation.

The AARP Driving course will be held on Oct. 27. Call 406-7454462 and leave message if you want to attend.

The Lake County

Health Department will offer flu immunization on Oct. 18 from 4 to 5 p.m. Please bring your Medicare card and your prescription card.

We had a good turnout for bingo on Saturday, Sept. 9, with a $100 blackout. Our next bingo game will be on Oct. 14 at 2 p.m.

The St. Ignatius Senior Center is looking to hire a Site Manager. The work is for two to three days a week for 6-8 hour a day. If you are interested in the position, call 406745-4462 for more information.

People that come and eat our meals have commented on how tasty the local fruit and vegetables are. We continue to welcome fresh produce from gardens and orchards.

We invite everyone to come and enjoy one of our meals or call for a take-out 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.

Friday, Sept. 15: noon

- tuna cakes, carrot/vegetables salad, dessert

Tuesday, Sept. 19: noon - chicken chili, fresh vegetables, cornbread, plum dessert

Wednesday, Sept. 20: 5:30 p.m. - roast turkey, sweet potatoes, cranberry-kale salad, pumpkin bars

Friday, Sept. 22: noon

- grilled ham, cheese sandwiches, homemade

tomato soup, brussels sprouts salad, apple tortilla

Tuesday, Sept. 28: noon – spaghetti, meatballs, spinach salad, garlic bread, cheesecake

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

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

Gently Yoga is on Wednesdays at 1 to 2:15 p.m. If you are interested in the class call Bonnie Kiser at 406-253-0177. Her rates are five sessions for $60.

We have walkers, a commode, a shower chair, a wheelchair, a high-rise toilet seat, 4-prong canes, regular canes and a transfer bench to loan out.

Our St. Ignatius Senior Center is available to be rented. If you are interested, call 406-745-4462 and leave a message.

The center has a computer that is available for use by the public. If interested, come in on Tuesday or Friday between 10 a.m.-1 p.m. or call and leave a message and we can plan for a different time.

If you need help with other areas of your life such as: transportation, respite, home health services, or other information, call the friendly people at Lake County Council on Aging in Ronan at 406-676-2367.

obituaries

Beverley Lean POLSON — Beverley

Ann Lean, age 77, passed away on Sept. 10, 2023. She was born to Lewis and Alice Geary on June 26, 1946. She was raised in Butte and graduated from Butte High school in 1964. She married her childhood sweetheart Steve Lean, and they were married 58 years until his passing this past January. They had two children before returning to their forever home in Polson.

Bev worked most of her adult life, until retiring from St. Joseph Medical in 2007. Upon retiring, she took golf lessons, golfing whenever she could. She loved crocheting and made so many beautiful blankets. She enjoyed fishing, mostly competing against Steve catching fish. She especially loved their little log home at the foot of the mountain and watching deer visiting regularly. Family was everything to Bev. She was involved in every family member’s lives no matter how far away, she made time.

Bev is preceded in death by her husband, Steve; her parents; a sister; and a granddaughter.

She is survived by her two daughters, Steph (Tedd), and Jackie (Tony); six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a sister; several nieces and nephews; an aunt; and her lifelong friend, Linda Kehoe.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, she would have loved donations made to your local animal shelter, as she loved all animals.

Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at: www. lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.

Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.

Charles Hartsoch

RONAN — Charles Michael Hartsoch, 71, passed away peacefully at his home in Ronan, on Sept. 4, 2023.

Chuck was born on Jan. 26,1952, in Kalispell to Grace and Ray Hartsoch and graduated from Polson High School. He later earned a degree in architectural design

from Northern Montana College in Havre before returning to the Flathead Valley.

Chuck married Kathleen Seifert in 1974 in Polson and they had two children, Jacob Hartsoch of Bellingham, Washington, and Sarah Bird of Spokane, Washington.

After working in construction and on the oil fields in Wyoming, he spent most of his working life as the produce manager at Super 1 and Harvest Foods in the Flathead Valley and could always be found there wearing a sweater.

Chuck loved the outdoors, and we have many fond memories growing up camping, cutting wood, finding the perfect Christmas tree, sledding, and exploring the hills with him in his big gray truck. His chainsaw was always finely tuned.

He was a talented woodworker and enjoyed building all manner of things for family and friends over the yearsrocking horses, cabinets, beds, and Christmas toys for local kids. These heirlooms are all over the West now, all stained in his favorite walnut stain.

Like any good Montanan, he had at least three broken down trucks in the yard that were all in “really fine shape” that he enjoyed tinkering with when he was in better health. He loved a good rodeo, a can of Copenhagen, and new power tools.

He once built a full sand beach volleyball court in his backyard that made a good many memories.

Chuck had a core group of darn fine friends that he had known nearly his entire life - what a blessing. He enjoyed playing golf with many of them. He came late to golf but loved the heck out of it - especially getting the grandkids out on the course overlooking the Mission mountains.

He was competent and full of ingenuity, and could figure out, fix, and build almost anything. He taught us that, with patience and confidence, we could do the same. He loved passing this on to his grandkids as well by organizing little building projects whenever he saw them. We will miss his advice and long-winded explanations. But most of all, we will miss his gentle kindness and thoughtfulness.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Grace; and brother, Robin.

He is survived by his sisters, Roxie Cooper and Sandi Alexander; his children Jacob and Sarah; and four grandchildren, Quinn, Becks, Nolan; and his obvious favorite, Sonja.

We love you, Dad. Play a round up there for us. Services have been held.

Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at: www.

lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.

Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.

Elly Raptou

RONAN — Elly Helen Zoganas Raptou died peacefully in her sleep on Sept. 7, 2023, at the age of 86. She had no suffering, no injury, no pain. Recently residing in Ronan with her daughter, Rhea Alexandra Raptou DeLong, and her son-inlaw, Matthew DeLong, Elly enjoyed her last few months in the loving care of Polson Health and Rehabilitation staff.

Elly was deeply loved by her daughter, Rhea and by good friends. Elly had a great sense of humor; loved to laugh and sing, touching the hearts of all who entered her life.

Elly was born in Alexandria, Egypt, moving to America at age nine when her father, George Zoganas, a Greek Orthodox priest, was assigned here. Elly earned a master’s degree from Ohio State University, graduating with honors in a French and Spanish double major and was inducted to the distinguished honor soci-

ety, Phi Betta Kappa.

Elly was married to Alexander D. Raptou, MD, who preceded her in passing. She is also preceded by her brother, Meletios.

After marrying Alex in Ohio, Elly moved to Texas, and had two children, George and Rhea, who both survive her.

Elly moved to Montana during COVID, prior to which she enjoyed being in the lives of her precious grandchildren, Foster and Holden Raptou, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

During the majority of her life, Elly was an educator in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The subjects she taught included: Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, Humanities, and English as a Second Language. Elly will be sincerely missed.

A vigil will be held on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at 8 p.m. at the DeLong family home, 36104 Round Butte Road, Ronan. The funeral service will be Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Shrider-Thompson Funeral Home in Ronan. Burial to follow at Ronan Cemetery. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at: www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation. com.

Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.

page 29

Beverley Lean

Charles Hartsoch

Elly Raptou see

Obituaries

Randal Doss

POLSON — Randal

“Randy” Doss passed away on Sept. 11, 2023, surrounded by family at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Randy was born on May 26, 1970, to Arlene Doss and Richard Doss Sr. He grew up playing baseball, surfing and spending time with family and friends.

Randy joined the United

States Navy in 1993, an adventure that allowed him to see the world and he later went on to serve again in the Navy Reserve. Randy met his wife and best friend Misty in 2000 and they were married in 2001. Randy and Misty are a team, and they created a life of love and friendship over the past 22 years and his will always be her favorite hand to hold. They built their home and raised their children Tyler, Haley, and Ryan. Randy’s greatest joy was his family. He was involved and active with the kids, he was always by their side from years of coaching softball to cheering on the sidelines or fishing and hanging out. He will always be their biggest fan, their best friend, and their best fishing buddy

and the kids will forever remember “the whistle.”

Randy spent time working in various professions from catering, to working at St. Joseph Hospital, Lake County Sheriff Department, and the State of Montana. He also served on the Ronan Volunteer Fire Department and the Polson Volunteer Fire Department and as Randy never met a stranger, he has a multitude of friends from each of his endeavors.

Randy will be remembered as one of the good ones. He was steady, unwavering, friendly, kind, loving and funny. If you knew him, you likely have a great story!

Randy is survived by his wife, Misty; his children, stepson, Tyler Houle, daughter, Haley

Doss-Rinn (Jaxon), and son, Ryan Doss. He is also survived by his mother, Arlene Doss (Mike); siblings, Scott Doss (Wendy), Richard Doss (Janet); nephews, Jeremy Doss (Julia), Justin Doss, Dylan Doss, Shelby Doss, and Cubby Vaska; nieces, Heather Tuttle (Rick), Makia Wood, Nikki Vaska, and numerous other extended family and friends.

A celebration of life has been held.

Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at: www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation. com.

Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.

Claim your Montana property tax rebate by Oct. 1

MONTANA —The Montana Department of Revenue has approved about 70% of estimated property tax rebate claims. We need your help to ensure the remaining qualified taxpayers don’t miss the opportunity to claim their rebate by the deadline of Oct. 1. Lake County has above average claims.

Eligible Montana homeowners must claim this year’s rebate of up to $675 by Oct. 1, 2023. Go to: getmyrebate.mt.gov to find out if you qualify and claim the rebate.

Volunteers sought for Lake County Board of Adjustment

LAKE COUNTY — Lake County seeks volunteers to serve on the Board of Adjustment. One member vacancy and two alternate member vacancies are currently open until filled.

This board hears and decides on zoning-related issues such as conditional uses, variances, and appeals. Board members work closely with Lake County Planning Department staff and have the opportunity to interpret and apply zoning regulations for the citizens of Lake County. The board typically meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 3:30 p.m. Interested residents from all parts of the county over which this board has jurisdiction are encouraged to apply. If you have questions about the area of jurisdiction, please check with Lake County Planning Department.

To convey interest, please submit a letter of interest and a completed application to Lake County Planning. The application form is available at: http://www.lakemt. gov/263/Planning-Department.html or through the contact information below. If you have experience that may be relevant to review of land use or growth management, please include this in your submittal. The Planning Dept. may be contacted by phone 406-883-7235, fax 406-883-7205, or email: planning@lakemt.gov .

Randal

Doss

Wednesday, Sept. 20

Free online meditation classes offered

ZOOM — Mission Mountain Zen is offering free online meditation classes. Please join the Mission Mountain Zen Center on Wednesday, Sept. 20, and on subsequent Wednesdays, for an online meditation class led by Zen Teacher, Zenku, including meditation instruction, practice and discussion via Zoom. The classes will be each Wednesday from 6-7:30 p.m.  Please join us and take advantage of this opportunity. For more information and a Zoom link to the class call Zenku at 847-7210665 or email at Jerry. Smyers@gmail.com.

Thursday, Sept. 21

MVUMC celebrates International Peace Day

ST. IGNATIUS

— The Mission Valley United Methodist Church will celebrate International Peace Day on Thursday, Sept. 21, beginning at 6 p.m. with face painting, a cake walk, speakers and a dinner at 7 p.m.

Do you have a favorite cultural dish that you could share? Please join us for a fun evening celebrating Peace Day. Bring

Country clouds

the whole family.

Mission Valley Choral Society begin practices for Christmas Concert

POLSON — The Mission Valley Choral Society begins practices for the 2023 Christmas Concerts from 7-9 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 21, at the Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. Christmas 2023 concerts are scheduled for Dec. 16 at the St. Ignatius Mission and Dec.17 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Polson. New director Cathy Gillhouse

says she is thrilled to be directing the MVCS, and she hopes to draw in new singers to the fourpart choir. Basses and baritones are especially needed. The Lake County community choir has existed since the 1960s. The choir brings a diverse group of people together, all ages with varied backgrounds, united to bring joy through music. For information call 406261-3304 or 406-3702076; or check out the MVCS web site at: missionvalleychoralsociety. org or Facebook page.

Autumn on ‘Storytime’ agenda

POLSON — The North Lake County Public Library’s Storytime Program takes place at 10 a.m. on Thursdays. On Sept. 21 “autumn” will be their theme.

Enjoy Ronan’s Farmer’s Market

RONAN — Every Thursday through Oct. 12, enjoy the Ronan Farmer’s Market from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at the Ronan Visitor’s Center on Highway 93.

Polson Farmer’s Market is open every Friday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. until October. Located in downtown Polson, 3rd Ave. W, (in front of the Cove Deli) the market offers locally produced fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, cheese, eggs, honey, jams & jellies, baked goods, bedding plants, perennials, shrubs, veggie & herb starts, hanging baskets, cut flowers, soaps, skin care products, wood working products, jewelry, photography, art, pottery, and many more unique craft items.

Pachyderms to meet

POLSON — The Lake County Republican Pachyderm meeting will take place from noon to 1 p.m. at the Polson Rural Fire Dept., 25b Regatta Rd.

SPLASH in Polson

POLSON — Logan Health will host the Sept. meeting of SPLASH from 5-7 p.m. SPLASH’S feature a variety of food and beverage options and are accompanied by split-thepot opportunity as well as a swag give away.

Friday, Sept. 22

Local goods sold at Polson Farmers Market

POLSON — The

Monday, Sept. 25

Read, sing, play with your baby

POLSON — The North Lake County Public Library’s Mother Goose program takes place on Mondays at 9:15 a.m. This is an opportunity for parents or caregivers to interact with their young children. This program is geared toward ages zero to three. see page 31

MARTY HENSEL PHOTO

Backroad on a cloudy day

Calendar from page 30

Hear from Glacier National Park archaeologist

POLSON — On Monday, Sept. 25, from 6-7:30 p.m. Kyle Langley will present, “Bison Archaeology in Glacier National Park.” This program is another in the Montana Library Network Virtual programming series. This program is free and open to all. You must register to receive the link. Register at: tinyurl. com/GNPbisonMT. Kyle Langley is an archaeologist with Glacier National Park. He studies the past and present human relationship with rugged high alpinwe environments such as Glacier National Park, exploring how humans have found sustenance and meaning in these environments.

Lunch and learn at ‘Power & Control’ presentation

POLSON — This is a presentation on the Duluth Model used with the Batterer Intervention Program, coordinated by SAFE Harbor in cooperation with the courts. Session designed to increase awareness of this program with those working in the justice system including law enforcement, attorneys, judges and department staff. Join the presentation on Sept. 25 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Lake County Court House large meeting room. Lunch will be provided. Zoom option available. SAFE Harbor Men’s Group facilitator Mary Dumontier will be the presenter. For more information or to RSVP contact at ladams@lakemt.gov.

Tuesday, Sept. 26

Library’s Board of Trustees to meet

POLSON — The next regular meeting of the North Lake County Public Library’s Board of Trustees will be on Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 5:30 p.m. All meetings will be held at our temporary location until further notice. The public

is welcome to join us at 301 16th Ave. E (First United Methodist Church) for the Board meetings.

Lights Under the Big Sky seeks volunteers

RONAN — Friends of the Fairgrounds will hold an open organizational planning meeting for Lights

Under the Big Sky on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at the Community Center in Ronan at 7 p.m. The Lights Under the Big Sky event has been held for six years and has become a popular community event drawing visitors from all over western Montana. The core group of volunteers that have put on this event is now too small to manage the growth the event has experienced. Friends of the Fairgrounds is currently seeking volunteers to help set up and dismantle the venue for the event. For more information, call Patty at 406-676-4925.

Wednesday, Sept. 27

Lights Under the Big Sky to meet, needs volunteers

RONAN — Friends of the Fairgrounds announces an Open Organizational Planning Meeting for Lights

Under the Big Sky on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at the Community Center in Ronan at 7 p.m. The Lights Under the Big Sky event has been held for six years and has become a popular community event drawing visitors from all over Western Montana.

The core group of volunteers that have put on this event is now too small to manage the growth the event has experienced.

Friends of the Fairgrounds is currently seeking volunteers to help set up and dismantle the venue for the event.

For more information, call Patty at 406-676-4925.

Irrigators to meet

RONAN — The Flathead Irrigation District will be holding their monthly meeting on the fourth Wednesday of

the month, Sept. 27, at 1 p.m. Mission West Community Development Partners, 407 Main Street SW, will hold the meeting upstairs and an elevator is provided.

Ronan City Council meets

RONAN — Ronan City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 207 Main Street SW Ste A. For more information call 406676-4231.

Join Page Turners Youth Book Club

POLSON — Come join the North Lake County Public Library’s youth book club, the Page Turners. We’ll be reading “Because of Mr. Terupt,” by Rob Buyea. Come pick up your copy of the book from the library in August and we will meet to discuss the book on Sept. 27 at 3:30 p.m.

Free online meditation classes offered

ZOOM — Mission Mountain Zen is offering free online meditation classes. Please join the Mission Mountain Zen Center on Wednesday, Sept. 27, and on subsequent Wednesdays, for an online meditation class led by Zen Teacher, Zenku, including meditation instruction, practice and discussion via Zoom. The classes will be each Wednesday from 6-7:30 p.m.  Please join us and take advantage of this opportunity. For more information and a Zoom link to the class call Zenku at 847-721-0665 or email at Jerry.Smyers@gmail.com.

Thursday, Sept. 28

Colors on ‘Storytime’ agenda

POLSON — The North Lake County Public Library’s Storytime Program takes place at 10 a.m. on Thursdays. On Sept. 21 “colors” will be their theme.

Regulary Scheduled Meetings

The Polson City Commission meets every first and third Mondays (Wednesday, if the Monday falls on a holiday) of the month at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 106 1st Street East. Meetings are open to the public.

St. Ignatius City Council meets the first Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 12 First Ave. 406-745-3791

Ronan City Counci l meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m., 207 Main Street SW, Ste A. 406-676-4231

Lake County Commissioners , 106 Fourth Ave. E, room 211, (Lake County Courthouse) 406-883-7278, Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

The Ronan School District No. 30 Board of Trustees have regularly scheduled board meetings once a month. They meet the second Monday of every month in the K. William Harvey Elementary Multi-Purpose Room. Regular meetings begin at 7 p.m.

The Polson School District No. 23 Board of Trustees have regularly scheduled board meetings once a month. Meetings are held the second Monday of each month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the District Office, 111 4th Ave. E, 406-883-6345.

The Charlo School District 7J B Board of Trustees have regularly scheduled meetings on the third Thursday of every month. Meetings are held in the school library, 404 1st Ave. W, and begin at 7 p.m. The phone number is 406-644-2206.

Arlee School District No. 8 Board of Trustees meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Arlee School library, 72220 Fyant Street, 406726-3216.

St. Ignatius School No. 28 Board of Trustees meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the school library, 76 Third Ave., 406-745-3811.

Valley View Elementary School District 35, 42448 Valley View Road, 406-883-2208.

PUZZLES

GIANT CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Empathize

7. Bay of Naples isle

12. Cringes

18. Loud speaker

19. Droopy eared hound

20. Haloes

21. Jurisdictions or terms of elected heads of states

23. Accept, as a policy

24. ___ Aquarids (May meteor shower)

25. Bit

26. Medicinal plant

28. Ado

29. Leg bone

32. Singer with the 2007 hit “1234”

35. Back muscle, for short

36. Control, symbolically

37. A plot to say nothing

41. Manipulator

42. Norse goddess of fate

43. Collect

44. Zimbabwe’s capital

46. ___ de deux

47. Ditch

48. Number cruncher, for short

51. Trickery

52. First act

55. Gets game

57. Mythical monster

58. Absolutely true

62. Car tops

65. Versatile truck, informally

66. Big coffee holder

Place the digits 1-9 in the grid so that each row, column and

box contains each digit once only.

67. Affirm

68. Embezzlement

74. Arrange

75. Call for

76. Deject

77. Fragrant compounds

80. ___ judicata

81. City in Cebu, central Philippines

84. Nod, maybe

85. Grassy areas

86. Like windows

87. Attack

89. Dolly of “Hello, Dolly!”

90. Tobacco alternative

96. Car seat option

97. Hidden means of support?

98. Land on the Red Sea

99. A heap

101. Hokkaido native

102. Belarus’s capital

104. Bit

106. Authorize

107. Part of a place setting

109. Internal pilgrimage

114. Continuing stories

115. Ancient

116. Emotional pang

117. Attempts

118. Great deal of interest

119. Lists of candidates DOWN

1. Man of many words

2. Arousing

3. Ablution bowl

4. Downed a sub, say

5. Anderson’s “High ___”

6. Coastal raptors

7. Baku’s sea

8. Baseball bat wood

9. Telekinesis, e.g.

10. Gym sets

11. “... nothing to fear but fear ___”

12. Prolonged unconsciousness

13. Sun, e.g.

14. Goes downhill

15. Descended from the maternal side

16. “Phèdre” playwright

17. Clairvoyants

19. Pipe type

20. Venezuelan coin

22. Full of fervor

27. Twangy, as a voice

30. Accustom

31. Very, in music

33. “Monkey Trial” defendant of July 1925

34. Autocrat

36. E-mails anew

38. Capital of Western Australia

39. Attack

40. Catch, in a way

44. Jane Eyre, e.g.

Buttonholes

Wrinkled

Troubles

Holdings

Kind of window 52. Cognizant of

Henhouse sounds

69. Start a garden

70. Browning’s Ben Ezra, e.g.

71. Folly

72. Bring forward as evidence

73. Later

78. Coupon clipper, e.g.

79. Hackneyed

As Bashful would do

Imaginary surface coinciding with the earth’s sea level

Rice University

113. ___ Appia

bride

J.F.K. overseer 64. Oysters Rockefeller ingredient

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

Party Time

GALA GET-TOGETHER HOOTENANNY PROM RECEPTION SHINDIG SHOWER SOCIAL SOIRÉE

DOT-TO-DOT

Starting at 1, connect the dots in numerical order to complete the picture.

MIRROR IMAGE

Which of the four images below is the mirror image of the larger one to the right?

A B C D

90. Elites, 91. Loners, 92. Nassau, 93. Geoid, 94. Talent, 95. Emerge, 96. Cause, 100. Styes, 102. Mils, 103. Kegs, 105. Acts,

79. Trite, 82. Gerbils, 83. Adorn, 85. Slants, 86. Petunia, 88. Timidly,

69. Plant, 70. Rabbi, 71. Idiocy, 72. Adduce, 73. Newer, 78. Saver,

53. Peeps, 54. Route, 56. Ant, 59. Our, 60. Grin, 61. Ono, 63. FAA, 64. Spinach,

50. Assets, 51. Dormer, 52. Onto,

45. Accosts, 48. Creased, 49. Pesters,

39. Onset, 40. Lasso, 44. Heroine,

34. Tyrant, 36. Resends, 38. Perth,

16. Racine, 17. Seers, 19. Brier, 20. Centimo, 22. On fire, 27. Nasal, 30. Inure, 31. Assai, 33. Scopes,

119. Slates. Down: 1. Roget, 2. Erotic, 3. Lavabo, 4. Ate, 5. Tor, 6. Erns, 7. Caspian, 8. Ash, 9. Psi, 10. Reps, 11. Itself, 12. Coma, 13. Orb, 14. Worsens, 15. Enatic,

Across: 1. Relate, 7. Capri, 12. Cowers, 18. Orator, 19. Basset, 20. Coronae, 21. Governorships, 23. Embrace, 24. Eta, 25. Snip, 26. Senna, 28. Stir, 29. Tibia, 32. Feist, 35. Lat, 36. Reins, 37. Conspiracy of silence, 41. User, 42. Norn, 43. Amass, 44. Harare, 46. Pas, 47. Lose, 48. CPA, 51. Deceit, 52. Opener, 55. Snares, 57. Orc, 58. Honest-to-goodness, 62. Roofs, 65. Ute, 66. Urn, 67. State, 68. Misappropriation, 74. Set, 75. Entail, 76. Sadden, 77. Esters, 80. Res, 81. Naga, 84. Bid,

GIANT CROSSWORD

Announcements

Auctions

Antique Tractor Auction, Thurs., Sept. 28, 10 a.m., 11 miles SW of Lewistown, MT @ Janicek’s Iron Wheel Ranch. 22 tractors, 1950 Dodge Pwr. Wagon, 1955 Studebaker truck, all running, plus antiques/ collectibles. Live auction w/ internet bidding @ www.ShobeAuction.com. Call 406-538-5125

JOHNCO STORAGE: Public sale October 4th, 2023 at 2:00 pm. at 808 7th Street East, Polson. Sell to highest bidder for CASH OR CERTIFIED CHECK ONLY, contents of unit 108, 155, 209, & 211. Units are subject to redemption prior to sale time. 406-883-5405.

2023 STATE OF MONTANA SURPLUS PROPERTY

AUCTION – Helena, MT. Online bidding opens on Sept. 16 and ends on Sept. 30. Go to pateauction.com or download the Pate Auction app to your mobile device for listing and details.

Special Notices

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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

Connect to the best wireless home internet with EarthLink. Enjoy speeds from 5G and 4G LTE networks, no contracts, easy installation, and data plans up to 300 GB. Call 855-419-7978

FREE high speed internet for those that qualify. Government program for recipients of select programs incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet service. Bonus offer: Android tablet FREE with one-time $20 copay. Free shipping & handling. Call Maxsip Telecom today!

1-866-585-6456

Employment

Help wanted

HYDROLOGIC TECHNICIAN/ HYDROGRAPHER I (1 OR MORE POSITIONS AVAILABLE) - DEWRWATER RESOURCESRONAN, MT NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

The successful applicant must possess two years of college coursework, or one year of college with a physical science background, or a high school diploma or equivalent and one year of experience in Natural Resource Data Collection. Must possess a valid Montana driver’s license. Must wear Tribal Government identification and safety apparel when conducting field activities. FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION DURING THE SCREENING PROCESS. All applicants are required to submit a Tribal application, copy of relevant transcripts, a copy of valid Montana driver’s license, proof of enrollment from a federally recognized Tribe if other than CSKT, and if claiming veteran’s preference, a copy of DD214 must be submitted. This position is not a

Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. The successful applicant, if not already employed by CSKT, must pass pre-hire drug test and serve a mandatory six (6) month probationary period. Salary range $19.88 to $22.85 per hour, plus benefits. To apply, contact Personnel at 406-6752700 Ext. 1040. Tribal applications are also available online at csktribes.org. Closing date will be Thursday, September 28th, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

BUSINESS EXECUTIVE OFFICER - TRIBAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT ST. IGNATIUS

The successful applicant must have a Bachelor’s Degree in healthcare, business administration or other relevant field plus a minimum of fifteen (15) years’ operations and management experience with a minimum of eight (8) of those years having supervisory experience. This experience would be preferably in healthcare but not required; or any relevant combination of education and experience totaling nineteen (19) years. Must possess a valid Montana driver’s license. All applicants must submit a Tribal application, a copy of academic

transcript/degree, certifications, proof of state licensure, copy of valid driver’s license, if claiming Tribal preference, 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. FAILURE

TO SUBMIT ALL OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION DURING THE SCREENING PROCESS. This position is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. 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. Salary is $44.13 - $50.72 per hour (DOE), plus benefits.

To apply, contact Personnel at (406) 675-2700 Ext. 1040 or personnel@cskt.org. Tribal applications are also available online at csktribes.org. The closing date will be Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. (MST)

CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

Eagle Bank is committed to full-service community banking – where we believe in…Lifetime Service ~ Lifetime Friendship. We have an

opportunity for you to join the Eagle Bank Team as a Customer Service Representative. The role of the Customer Service Representative is to be welcoming, build rapport and provide outstanding service while performing account transactions. This position offers flexible work schedules with competitive pay and benefits. To apply send your resume to HR@eaglebankmt. com. Location – Eagle Bank – 80 Heritage Lane, Polson MT. Salary – Depending on experience and/or education. In accordance with the Indian Self-Determination Act, P.L. 93-638, and the mission of Eagle Bank to serve the Flathead Reservation communities, preference will be given in hiring for suitably qualified Native Americans in the following order: 1 Enrolled members of CSKT; 2 Enrolled members of other federally recognized Native American or Alaska Native Tribes; 3 All other applicants

TRIBAL RELATIONS

SPECIALIST - TRIBAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

OFFICE - PABLO

The successful applicant is preferred to have a Bachelors’ degree in environmental science, historical preservation and conservations, or related

field with at least 5 years’ increasing experience in management or administration, preferably within the CSKT organization. Or, equivalent education and experience in a related management field (land management, culture preservation and conservation, natural resource management or other renewable resource management) including management or administration preferably within the CSKT system. All applicants must submit a Tribal application, copy of degree/academic transcripts, training certificates, licensure, proof of enrollment in a federally recognized Tribe if other than CSKT and if claiming veteran’s preference, a copy of DD214 must be submitted. Failure to submit all of the above information will result in immediate disqualification during the screening process. This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. The successful applicant, if not already employed by CSKT must pass a pre-hire drug test and serve a mandatory six (6) month probationary period. Salary is $32.60 to $37.47 per hour, plus benefits. May be employed under contract. To apply, contact Personnel at (406) 675-2700 Ext. 1040 or personnel@cskt.org. Tribal applications are also available on-line at cskt.org. The closing date is Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. MST CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

Farm/Ranch Animals

Use Happy Jack® mange medicine to treat horse mane dandruff & lice.

At Tractor Supply® (www.happyjackinc. com)

Miscellaneous

Pets & Supplies

For Sale: Caucasian Shepard dog puppies. Protect your family, your property and your livestock with this ancient herding, guarding breed. Call or text 406-290-4807.

Legals

Legals

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 District Court, at Polson, Lake County, Montana, or mailed, Return Receipt Requested, to the Personal Representative, c/o TURNAGE MERCER & WALL, PLLP, Attorneys for the Personal Representative, at 312 1st St. E, Polson, MT 59860.

/s/ Susan Martha Wassel Susan Martha Wassel

Personal Representative

Estate of NANCY A. LARSSON, Deceased.

September 13, 20 and 27, 2023

MNAXLP

John A. Mercer

Turnage Mercer & Wall, PLLP

Attorneys at Law

312 1st St E Polson, MT 59860 Telephone: 406-883-5367 jmercer@turnagemercerwall.com

MONTANA TWENTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, LAKE COUNTY

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: NANCY A. LARSSON, Deceased.

Cause No.: DP-23-59

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.

Service Directory

S T . L U K E T H A N K S Y O U F O R Y O U R S U P P O R T

S t . L u k e w o u l d l i k e t o t h a n k e a c h a n d e v e r y s p o n s o r , d o n o r , a t t e n d e e , a n d v o l u n t e e r f o r s u p p o r t i n g t h e 2 0 2 3 F o u n d a t i o n

A u c t i o n e v e n t , b o t h i n - p e r s o n a n d o n l i n e . Y o u r c o n t r i b u t i o n s w i l l h e l p f u n d t h e S t . L u k e i n - h o u s e M R I p r o j e c t .

2 0 2 3 S p o n s o r s : G l a c i e r B a n k , B l u e C r o s s B l u e

S h i e l d o f M T , V a l l e y B a n k , B i s h o p I n s u r a n c e S e r v i c e ,

M o n i d a H e a l t h c a r e N e t w o r k , U S B a n k , S & K G a m i n g ,

N i n e p i p e s L o d g e , B l a c k f o o t C o m m u n i c a t i o n s , E a g l e

B a n k , A n d e r s o n B r o a d c a s t i n g , S t o n e f l y F i n a n c i a l ,

G a l l a g h e r B e n e f i t S e r v i c e s I n c . F a r m e r ’ s U n i o n

I n s u r a n c e , L a k e C o u n t y L e a d e r , V a l l e y J o u r n a l , a n d

B i g C r e e k P l u m b i n g

If you would like to further support the St. Luke in-house MRI project, donations can be made at stlukehealthcare.org/donate/