07-26-23 issue

Ronan students join ‘Paint the State’ education effort

By Taylor Davison / Valley Journal

RONAN — Six Ronan Middle School students have tossed their hats into the ring for this year’s “Paint the State” art competition with each creating artwork with anti-meth messaging that’s displayed in various locations in Ronan.

RMS teacher Bill Becker recruited Anaka Hardy, Anastasia

Hertz, Kailyn Marengo, Loren Olson, Rayna Tonasket and April Uhrich to join the competition as part of a new elective class he began teaching this year.

“I’m a math teacher in Ronan and I have been for 13 years, so this is the first year I’ve ever taught an elective,” Becker commented. “Our whole theme was just basically ‘why not?’ Why not try everything we can try to

make ourselves smarter, to showcase our talents and things like that … I’ve just been out there looking for things to challenge our best and brightest.”

Paint the State is a program of the Montana Meth Project that engages Montanans of all ages in harnessing their passion and creativity and putting it toward on-the-ground drug prevention by inspiring drug-free lives. Re-

gional and statewide judging by a Paint the State panel has been underway this month and award announcements will come out in August. Popular voting is currently open for anyone to select their favorite entries. This year, over $100,000 will be awarded to winning participants, including three $10,000 grand prizes.

“We actually didn’t even find

BILL BECKER PHOTO

April Uhrich painted a depiction of the branching effects of meth use, located in Ronan Middle School outside the library.

Paint the State

from page 1

out about it until the deadline had passed,” Becker shared. “We sat down as a group and said, ‘you’re never going to get what you don’t ask for, so who cares? The deadline’s passed, let’s fill

out the application together and mention that we received it today and had it back within an hour of receiving it, what can they do? The worst thing they can say is no.’ And they ended up saying yes.”

Located on the Access Montana building, Hertz, Marengo,

and Tonasket’s submitted a two- poster group submission entitled, “Meth Kills Your Home.” Hardy and Olson’s submission can be viewed at the Ronan Events Center upper level and features a mixed media depiction of a person drowning from the effects of meth.

Finally, hung in Ronan Middle School, Uhrich’s submission is a painting with the theme “meth ruins more than just your life.”

To view the students’ work online and submit votes in support of their submissions, visit the following links:

https://paintthestate.org/

Highway 93 construction operations continue in Ronan

support the new streetlights and the Old US 93 and 3rd Avenue intersection traffic signal also continues.

gallery/?contest=photo-detail&photo_id=535

https://paintthestate.org/ gallery/?contest=photo-detail&photo_id=537

https://paintthestate.org/ gallery/?contest=photo-detail&photo_id=536

RONAN — Excavation operations continue this week at the project’s north end, north of Baptiste Road. Traffic will be traveling on the southbound lanes, and drivers should anticipate traveling on a gravel surface through this section of the project area. Installation of underground electrical conduit to

On Round Butte Road, sidewalk and curb construction has been suspended until early fall.

Next week, crews will be onsite Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Remember the three Ss of work zone safety when traveling through the construction zone: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones

and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Email me directly at sloane@bigskypublicrelations.com or call the project hotline at 406-207-4484, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on the Ronan-North project, visit bit.ly/Ronan-North.

BILL BECKER PHOTO Loren Olson and Anaka Hardy used clay and painted tiles to portray a person drowning from the burdens and effects of meth, located in the Ronan Events Center near the hospitality room upstairs.

BILL BECKER PHOTO

Kailyn Marengo, Anastasia Hertz, and Rayna Tonasket painted a pair of posters located on the Access Montana Building in Ronan.

News from Big Sky Public Relations on behalf of the Montana Department of Transportation

This Week’s Weather Forecast

Crab Fest .................... 7 Valley Views .............. 10 Elmo Powwow .......... 12 Art Show ................... 14 Obituaries ................. 20 St. Luke awarded ...... 22 Calendar ................... 27 Classifieds ................. 29 SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL

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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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Frustration builds as Flathead Lake continues to drop

Days after federal managers rejected a plan to release more water from the Hungry Horse Dam, Flathead Lake was almost two feet below full pool.

FLATHEAD LAKE —

Elected officials in northwest Montana are expressing frustration after the Bureau of Reclamation, which manages the many dams and reservoirs of the Columbia River Basin, rejected a plan to send water from the Hungry Horse Reservoir to raise Flathead Lake, one of the key components of the region’s tourism-driven economy. The rejection came as the lake was nearly two feet below full pool, a record low for this time of year.

Since mid-June, Flathead Lake has dropped nearly 24 inches, from about 2,893 feet datum (the standard measure to gauge water levels in lakes) to 2,891.04 feet as of midday Monday. Water managers blamed the less-than-steller snowpack that melted early due to a burst of warm spring weather. Northwest Montana also got little rain in the last few months, and, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, January to May 2023 was the fifth driest start to the year in Flathead County since it started keeping records 129 years ago.

Earlier this month, dock owners and marina managers

began to frantically remove boats from the lake before they got stuck in the mud below. Many docks are unusable now because of how low the water is in Flathead, which typically remains closer to full pool through Labor Day.

As the water dropped, local and state leaders called on the Bureau of Reclamation to “fill the lake” by sending water from the Hungry Horse Reservoir down the South Fork of the Flathead River to increase the level of the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. Decisions like that are made by the Columbia River Technical Management Team, which has to consider the impacts on the entire river system from Montana to the Pacific Ocean,

as well as the needs of species downstream like the bull trout. Presently, the Séliš Ksanka QÍispé Dam [formally the Kerr Dam] on the south end of Flathead Lake is releasing the minimum amount of water it legally can to maintain streamflows.

On Friday, the technical team rejected a formal request by Gov. Greg Gianforte to release more water out of Hungry Horse. The team stated that doing so could jeopardize the water supply later this year and even into the next.

Brian Lipscomb, CEO of Energy Keepers Inc., the company that manages Séliš Ksanka QÍispé Dam for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, said that was

Flathead County Commissioner Brad Abell.

Commissioner Randy Brodehl blamed federal water managers who he said were unwilling to help the people of northwest Montana.

“In my opinion, bureaucracy has won this battle against the citizens of the Flathead Valley,” he said.

Rep. Ryan Zinke suggested taking funding away from the Bureau of Reclamation, writing that Congress should use “the power of the purse” to demand that water managers prioritize multiple uses of the water it manages, including recreation.

ultimately the right decision. In order to raise Flathead Lake even a foot, Lipscomb said, the company would have to lower Hungry Horse by five feet.

Lipscomb said current streamflow projections for the rest of the summer show that Flathead Lake will likely level out this week and stay 24 inches below full pool until September.

But local and federal officials are frustrated with the technical team’s decision, stating that businesses that rely on the lake and farmers who need water for their fields are being jeopardized.

“I wish we could do more to help local businesses because they’re the ones that are going to take the brunt of this,” said

“Let’s be clear, the Commissioner of Reclamation has the authority to make the executive decision and does not need to bow to the unelected bureaucrats at the Technical Management Team who care more about fish than people,” Zinke said in a statement to the press. “[The Bureau of Reclamation] does not lack authority. The only thing they lack is leadership.”

While some blamed the government, Lipscomb said he was placing the blame squarely on the drought. He said that people in the region should prepare for more extreme summers and that releasing water from one reservoir to another likely wouldn’t fix that.

“We’ll manage the water we have, but you can’t fix climate change with just two reservoirs,” he said earlier this month. “This is just the tip of the iceberg. I don’t think this is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime event. I think the frequency of these types of summers will only continue.”

News from Justin Franz Montana Free Press

JUSTIN FRANZ / MTFP PHOTO

Empty docks are seen along the east shore of Flathead Lake, near Woods Bay, in early July.

State considers ‘hoot owl’ restrictions on northwest Montana rivers for first time

nication and education program manager for FWP Region 1.

News from Justin Franz Montana Free Press

MONTANA — Montana

Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials in northwest Montana are considering instituting “hoot owl” fishing restrictions for the first time on the Flathead River, as well as others, as warm weather and low streamflows threaten the region’s trout, particularly westslope cutthroat and bull trout.

Hoot owl restrictions are common in other parts of the state and have already been implemented on sections of the Beaverhead, Bitterroot, Jefferson, Lower Madison and Sun rivers this summer. When the restrictions are in effect, anglers can be fined if they are caught fishing between 2 p.m. and midnight.

“We’ve never had to do it up here because we’ve always been blessed with cold water, but this summer has been different,” said Dillon Tabish, regional commu-

Mike Hensler, regional fisheries manager for Region 1, said biologists are particularly worried about heat-induced stress of wild trout in all three forks of the Flathead River, the main stem of the Flathead upstream from Evergreen, the Swan River and the Thompson River. Of those bodies of water, only the Thompson River has ever had hoot owl restrictions.

A thin snowpack followed by a warm spring has resulted in historically low water flows throughout northwest Montana. According to FWP, the water flows in the North, South and Middle forks of the Flathead River are all roughly a third of what they would normally be this time of year. Flathead Lake is currently two feet below its normal full pool, wreaking havoc on boaters and businesses that rely on the lake.

FWP officials said implementing hoot owl restrictions would depend entirely on weather and how many people are fishing. For restrictions to be instituted, streamflow conditions must be deteriorating, fishing pressure (the number of people on the water) must be

high and the temperature for a specific section of river must hit a certain point for three days in a row. In the case of the North Fork of the Flathead River, that temperature is 66 degrees; on Thursday, it hit 66.7 degrees. If enough of those criteria are met, FWP will go to the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission to ask for restrictions or closures. No river has ever been com-

pletely closed to fishing in northwest Montana, Hensler said, and he was hopeful it wouldn’t happen this summer.

“I don’t think we’ll have to shut down a fishery, but I also say ‘never say never,’” Hensler said.

To reduce stress on fish, FWP encourages anglers to land fish quickly, to keep them in the water as much as possible by

Fire danger is high on the Flathead Indian Reservation

RONAN — The Division of Fire officials want to update the public on the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes fire danger. The Flathead Indian Reservations fire danger is at high.

Although no restrictions are in

place at this time, the extended forecast calls for high temperatures and vegetation is beginning to cure. This type of fine, dead fuel is the primary carrier of fire in the wildland, and when fires get established in this fuel type they can quickly spread out of control.

The Division of Fire would

like to stress to the public the importance of fire safety while out working and recreating in the outdoors. Make sure all trailer chains are secure and try to do farming and ranching activities in the morning before the heat of the day.

Please do your part to ensure

limiting or even avoiding taking photos of them, and to remove hooks gently. If people see sick or dead fish, they are encouraged to report them online.

The National Weather Service in Missoula predicts warm weather through the weekend, with temperatures above 100 degrees in parts of western Montana on Saturday and Sunday.

there is “One Less Spark” as a result of your outdoor activities in the heat of the afternoon.

If a small fire becomes a fullblown forest fire, it could lead to arson charges, fines, and even the bill for all fire-caused costs.

For any questions call the Division of Fire at 406-676-2550.

Flows in all three forks of the Flathead River are roughly one-third of average for this time of year.

JUSTIN FRANZ / MTFP PHOTO

The Flathead River near Columbia Falls on July 21, 2023. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is considering instituting “hoot owl” restrictions for the first time ever on the river.

Ronan prepares for Crab Fest

By Taylor Davison / Valley Journal

RONAN — Ronan’s annual Crab Fest will return to the Lake County Fairgrounds on July 28 with presale tickets already quickly running out.

Started by the Ronan Chamber of Commerce years ago, Crab Fest used to be a smaller endeavor held in the city park each year. In contrast, this year will have at least 250 tickets to sell and entertainment by “The Late Bloomers” performed live.

“It was a fundraiser originally (for) the fire department. I think they were just trying to find events to do in the community, somebody brought up crab and they just kind of made it happen,” committee member Robbie Gauthier com-

mented on the event’s history.

“Crab’s a lot more expensive than it was when this started, so there’s not as much of a gap in profits … its main purpose (is as) a community event, for something to do in the community. We’re able to use some local businesses with it, a local band, and if there’s some funds leftover, we put that back in the community wherever we can.”

Some of the local businesses that’ll be joining with the Chamber to put on this year’s Crab Fest include Pizza Café, which will provide the rolls, and Stella’s offering up desserts.

Although Crab Fest is not an official part of the Lake County Fair (going on at the same time), the two events have found a mutually beneficial arrangement. “They’re

gracious enough to let us use the space, and it works out well because that Friday is kind of a quieter night,” Gauthier said. “It’s such a good space to be able to utilize.”

Anyone interested in volunteering to help at the event can learn more about doing so by reaching out to the Chamber at: https:// www.facebook.com/RonanChamber.

“Last year was probably one of the best, especially after all the craziness with COVID and that little hiatus there, but just seeing everybody get out and enjoy a little community time at the fairgrounds and listen to some good music is what (I’m looking forward to),” Gauthier stated. “I’m just looking forward to seeing everybody out and enjoying our summertime weather.”

Montana reaches 20th consecutive month of unemployment below 3%

News from the Dept. of Labor and Industry HELENA — Montana reached its 20th consecutive month of unemployment below 3 percent in June, according to data compiled by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Montana Department of Labor & Industry. Since Governor Greg Gianforte was elected, Montanans have created more than 41,000 new jobs statewide.

“We’re creating an environment where businesses can thrive, create more good-paying jobs, and increase opportunities for all Montanans, and we’re seeing great results,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Wages in Montana grew at the fifth fastest rate in the nation last year, and we have more Montanans working now than ever before.”

Total employment in Montana, which includes payroll, agricultural, and self-employed workers, grew by 784 jobs in June to a new jump to 8

Stories by Jeff Smith of Anderson Broadcasting for the Valley Journal

Adams pleads not guilty to strangulation

POLSON — A Ronan man is accused of strangling his significant other after the two had argued. Kielon James Adams, 27, entered a plea of not guilty in Polson District Court July 19 to felony strangulation of a partner or family member (SPFM).

According to charging documents, on June 25, Deputies with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at

a residence in St. Ignatius. At the scene, the alleged victim stated she and Adams had been together for four years and share a child together. She said that morning her and Adams got into an argument, and she attempted to grab their child and leave. As she made her way toward the child, Adams allegedly shoved her to the ground. She said she got up and Adams pushed her again, this time with her falling into some boxes. She also claimed Adams hit her with an open hand. She eventually made her way out of the residence as Adams began throwing some of her belongings outside. She said she went back inside the

residence to get their child and Adams allegedly grabbed her by the neck and put her in a chokehold. She said she became dizzy. The responding deputy observed bruising on the woman’s right elbow, stomach and on the left side of her neck. The deputy also observed that the right side of her face near her eye was beginning to bruise.

Adams was already facing two counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, specifically possessing heroin and methamphetamine.

Judge James Manley set a trial date of Jan. 2. Adams remains in the Lake County Jail with bail set at $20,000.

Bush pleads not guilty to aggravated assault

POLSON — A Pablo man with a lengthy criminal record is accused of strangling a woman to the point of unconsciousness.

William Leslie Bush, 49, entered a plea of not guilty in Polson District Court July 19 to felony aggravated assault.

According to court records, on June 30, law enforcement officers were paged out to a residence in

the Pablo area. At the scene the officers took a statement from a third-party witness who claimed she was in her kitchen when she heard people yelling outside of her residence. She said she saw Bush arguing with his significant other and then attack another woman who attempted to intervene. The reporting party claimed Bush grabbed the woman by the throat and pushed her to the ground. When interviewed by investigators, the alleged victim claimed that she became disoriented when she hit the ground and lost consciousness. Of-

ficers observed substantial dirt on the alleged victim’s legs and body and redness on her neck consistent with her story.

Bush’s attorney, Ashley Morigeau with the Public Defender’s Office, requested bond be reduced to $10,000. Prosecutor Brendan McQuillan, with the Lake County Attorney’s Office, objected citing Bush’s extensive criminal history which he says includes a murder conviction in Oregon from the early 1990s. Judge James Manley agreed and maintained bond at $30,000. He set the case for trial Jan. 2.

Bigknife pleads guilty to felony assault

POLSON — Judge James Manley, who came out of retirement to substitute for Judge Molly Owen, set a sentencing date of Sept. 6 for a man accused of shooting an elderly man’s eye out with a BB gun. Marshall Bigknife, 19, entered a plea of guilty in Polson District Court on July 19 to felony assault with a weapon. According to court records, at about 1:15 a.m. on Sept. 6, 2022, Polson Police responded to a report that a man on Main Street had an injury to his face. At the scene, Police witnessed an elderly man sleeping on a mattress in the alley off the 400 block of Main Street. The man claimed that he had been shot with a BB gun multiple times. Later, Polson Police observed a young man running north and began a pursuit. The young man was apprehended a short distance away and identified as Bigknife, who claimed to be intoxicated. When questioned about the BB gun and where it might be, Bigknife went silent. He eventually admitted that she shot the man 15 to 16 times with a CO2 powered BB gun and showed Police where he had stashed the BB gun. The victim was shot three times in his left eye and was initially treated at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson before he was airlifted to a hospital in Missoula. A physician in Polson indicated that the man will likely lose function of his left eye. Prosecutor Brendan McQuillan with the Lake County Attorney’s Office said the victim lost vision in his left eye and there is still a BB lodged in his brain. This was the third incident involving a BB gun in Polson in the summer of 2022.

unemployment

from page 7

record high. The state’s labor force grew by 1,085 workers, after topping a record 575,000 workers in May.

Montana added 1,000 payroll jobs in June, largely driven by gains in the construction and administrative support industries. With labor force growth slightly outpacing total employment growth, the state’s unemployment rate was 2.4% in June.

In June, the Consumer

Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.2% over-the-month. Shelter was again the largest contributor to the increase, followed by motor vehicle insurance. The 12-month change in the all-items index was 3%. The index for all items minus food and energy, also called core inflation, increased by 0.1 percent for the month, the smallest 1-month increase since August 2021. For the year ending in June, core inflation was 4.8%.

Kielon Adams

William Bush

Aggressive food-conditioned grizzly euthanized in GNP

Visitors can protect bears by properly securing food and being bear aware

News from Glacier National Park

WEST GLACIER

— Glacier National Park officials, in coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, euthanized a food-conditioned, fiveyear-old female grizzly bear on Thursday, July 20. This action was taken after the bear received multiple food rewards from unsecured sources, causing it to exhibit increasingly aggressive behavior. This behavior posed a threat to human safety making it necessary to remove it from the population.

On Tuesday, June 27, the grizzly was reported moving through the Many Glacier Campground where she obtained unsecured human food from a campsite picnic table. Because the bear received a food reward, and in accordance with Glacier National Park’s Bear Management Plan, park staff restricted the Many Glacier Campground to hard-sided camping only. Staff hazed the grizzly out of the campground on two later occasions. The campground reopened to all camper types on Monday, July 10 after radio tracking showed the bear was no longer in the immediate area for several days.

On Tuesday, July 18, the bear appeared at the Swiftcurrent Lake Boat Launch where she

aggressively charged a family picnicking on the shoreline. The family was able to secure food items; however, the bear successfully obtained beverages that were left cooling in the lake. The incident was immediately reported to park staff.

Park officials made the decision in coordination with U.S. Fish and Wildlife to capture and remove the animal as per the park’s bear management plan. Park officials coordinated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as required under the Endangered Species Act. On Thursday, July 20, the grizzly

was euthanized near Lake Sherburne. This is the first food conditioned grizzly bear to be euthanized in the park since 2009.

This bear was radio collared in 2019 as part of a grizzly bear population trend study in which the park monitors up to 10 radio collared female grizzly bears. There are an estimated 300 grizzly bears in Glacier National Park. Numerous state and federal agencies work together to manage and recover the grizzly bear population in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem, which in-

cludes Glacier National Park.

Once a bear receives a human food reward, it can become food conditioned. Food rewards can include items such as human food, trash, livestock feed, and pet food. Over time, food conditioned bears may become bold or aggressive in their attempts to obtain human food, as was the case with this bear. Once a bear has become food-conditioned, hazing and aversive conditioning are unlikely to be successful in reversing this type of behavior. Food-conditioned bears are not

relocated due to human safety concerns.

Park visitors can help ensure the future of grizzly bears by taking steps to prevent bears from becoming food conditioned. Do not stop along roadways in the vicinity of bears. Secure all food and garbage. Report all bear sightings to the nearest ranger. It may be cliché; however, more often than not, “a fed bear is a dead bear.”

For more information about recreating in bear country, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/ glac/naturescience/bears. htm

valley views

Not everyone can be a rose

Roses are often thought of as the epitome of floral perfection. The allure of their blooms is undeniable. They grow on long stems - perfect for vases and display. They are fragrant and come in a variety of colors.

Roses can stand on their own, looking glorious as a single bloom in a bud vase. Their brilliance is multiplied in big bouquets. They are a symbol for love and the favorite floral gift to give by the dozens. They even have a whole parade named after them.

Certainly all the other flowers must envy the rose for her many, many favorable traits.

Perhaps.

But I hope not.

Because not every flower can be a rose.

There are tulips and marigolds, lilies and peo-

nies, iris and pansies, lilacs and hydrangea, sunflowers and dandelions. Yes, dandelions. Even dandelions.

All grow and bloom, just like the rose.

Except they aren’t a rose. They never will be.

That is the truth of life.

But here’s another truth. The world needs a variety of blooms. Think how boring it would be if every flower was a rose – if every one of us was a rose.

cause we all have important roles to fulfill.

Slices of Life

Jill Pertler Syndicated columnist

We wouldn’t know the fragrance of lilacs or carnations. The spring delight of tulips and daffodils. Seeds eaten from sunflowers and wine made from a flower labeled as a weed commonly known as the dandelion.

Not everyone can be a rose. Because that’s how it was designed to be. Be-

Some plants are the stars in the garden. Others are ground cover. Some are tall and provide a backdrop. Some are medicinal or herbal. Some provide food. Others fragrance. There are plants that attract pollinators and end up benefitting other plants and the world. Some grow anywhere and everywhere and are so prolific they are deemed weeds.

And some plants produce flowers that are simply fragrant, longstemmed and beautiful.

Roses have a certain charm - a certain statusthat many other flowers don’t have.

But roses need a specific amount of sunlight and water and fertilizer and air

flow and the correct soil conditions. Roses need to be pruned - in a specific manner - to ensure proper growth and desired longstemmed blooms. They may be susceptible to disease.

In short, roses are high maintenance.

Dandelions, on the other hand, grow anywhere and everywhere. Dandelions are the opposite of high maintenance. They grow in the cracks in the sidewalk. They are prolific, and weedy.

But dandelions produce pretty yellow blooms. They can be used to make wine and tea. The entire plant (sans stem) is edible. They have medicinal uses that treat a plethora of skin, infection, liver and digestive problems. They are a great source of nectar for spring pollinators. Dandelions may not have the allure of a rose.

Support public lands while following the law

As a proud defender and lover of public land, I have cast deciding votes for Montanans to hike, fish, and hunt some of the largest expansions of public land in decades— while keeping Montana farmers and ranchers on the landscape.

I was recently made aware of a social media campaign soliciting money

claiming to fight for interests that I support and will continue to support local control and public lands. In reality, this campaign would only line the pockets of liberal lawyers to sue me in a case that deserves immedi-

Legislative Notes

ate dismissal. Don’t waste your hard-earned money on these lobbyists’ deception. For those not familiar, here’s the background: on the last day of the legislative session, a bill supported by

They may not be as fancy or fanciful, but they are useful. They are easy. They are non-demanding. They are even pretty, when viewed through the right lens.

As a bonus, once it goes to seed, the dandelion is a source of wishes fulfilled.

Not everyone can be a rose.

Some of us are born daisies, dahlias, delphiniums, daffodils, dianthus and even dandelions. And, while perhaps not as flashy as a rose, dandelions grow where roses never could. Dandelions make tea and wine. They are prolific in ways a rose could never hope to be. Dandelions and simple and upfront. They are unassuming and humble. They give more than they take.

Not everyone can be a rose.

I, for one, am happy to

be a dandelion. Wish on that, please do.

Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

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.

various public land lobbying groups was vetoed. Like all of the other bills vetoed during the session, the bill was sent back to the Legislature—not the Secretary of State.

The law and our Constitution are clear: I only conduct a poll when the Legislature is not in session for qualifying bills I have received from the

Governor.

However, I was asked and pressured by various groups to break the law and poll the Legislature on the bill that I did not and have not received.

The last-ditch efforts from these groups came in the form of a lawsuit asking the Court to sidestep the laws that apply to

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.

Christi Jacobs Montana Secretary of State

Lake County Fair celebrates summer

Story and Photos by Taylor Davison Valley Journal

RONAN — The 2023 Lake County Fair is well underway this week at the fairgrounds in Ronan and will continue through Saturday, July 29. This year’s festivities started off the morning of Saturday, July 22, with the Horse Show and SW Youth Rodeo. The rodeo lets youngsters show their skills in a variety of kid-friendly rodeo sports. The Dog Show kicked off this week’s big headline events on July 25, with contestants large and small showing off before a panel of judges to determine this year’s best dog.

Wednesday, July 26, will feature a variety of animal shows, with a Cat Show joining the more traditional fair animals in the afternoon at 1 p.m. Wednesday also marks the opening of the Horticulture Barn. Goats and sheep will be shown

from page 10

vetoed bills. I have appropriately filed for dismissal from the case.

I stand up for all Montanans’ rights to access public land. My actions produce results that expand public lands for hunters, anglers, and recreationists to access.

throughout the day, Thursday, July 27. The big Buyer Appreciation dinner takes place at 5:30 p.m., followed by the primary Market Livestock Sale at 7 p.m.

The big fair action continues Friday, July 28, with the Pie Extravaganza and Auction starting at 6:15 p.m. in the Ronan Community Center. A favorite of attendees each year, auction proceeds support future 4-H cooking and baking workshops. The Small Fry Stock Show will start at 5:30 p.m. and the Teen Dance will get going at 9 p.m. and last until 11 p.m.

Finally, the week of fun will end with this year’s Ranch Rodeo beginnig at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, followed by NBHA barrel races winding down this year’s events on Sunday morning.

To learn more about this year’s events or see posted competition results visit: https://www.facebook.com/ profile.php?id=100064563077514

Regardless of my opinion on any legislative bill, I faithfully execute the laws of the State of Montana. That’s exactly what I have done, and that’s what I will continue to do.

I will not engage in these political games that do not belong in Montana. I will follow the law Montanans have entrusted me to uphold.

Standing Arrow Powwow 2023

Photos submitted by April Marie Wood

To help our customers during these difficult times, we’ve eliminated Overdraft Fees on all our accounts.  We care and we are here for you.  We are your bank.

Flathead Lake Festival of Art

Photos by Taylor Davison / Valley Journal

Cherry Festival this weekend in downtown Polson

POLSON

— The Flathead Cherry Festival is all about our delicious lo cally grown cherries! The annual event is held the last weekend in July when cherries are at their peak ripeness. This year’s event in downtown Polson is planned for Saturday, July 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, July 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Discover the history of cherries and visit Cherry Alley for more information and activities. Shop a curated selection of artists, vendors, and freshly baked treats. Relax, cool down under the tent by the food court, and take it all in. Exhibits and Mon tana-Made Items: See, eat, purchase, or sell an amazing assortment of everything from art, photos, and crafts to foods and treats. Polson is one unique and beautiful place.

This year’s activities in clude a sidewalk chalk art contest and cherry pit spitting contest on Sat urday, July 29 and a pancake breakfast and foodie com petition on Sunday, July 30.

The Flathead Cherry Festival has been recognized as one of the five must-see tourism attractions in the state. Come see for yourself!

News from the Polson Chamber of Commerce

Sign up opens for annual Flathead Waters Cleanup

News from the Western Montana Conservation Commission

LAKE COUNTY — Registration for the Flathead Waters Cleanup on Saturday, Aug. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. is now open. Volunteers for the annual event will clean up trash in and around the rivers, lakes, creeks, and ponds of the Flathead Watershed in Flathead and Lake Counties. The cleanup ends with two concurrent afterparties and prize giveaways hosted at Sacred Waters Brewing in Kalispell and Glacier Brewing in Polson from 4 to 8 p.m.

“Volunteering for the Flathead Waters Cleanup is just one way we can be good stewards of our Montana waterways,” said Emilie Henry, Program Coordinator of the newly established Western Montana Conservation Commission and cleanup organizer.

Individuals or teams of volunteers can sign up to clean up any river, lake, creek, or pond in the Flathead Watershed by collecting trash and returning it to designated drop off areas. Volunteers select their favorite area to clean up through an interactive mapping feature on the event website and can enter to win various prizes from the event sponsors. Prizes include rafting trips, kayak rentals, camping gear, flyfishing gear, and other swag items that will be awarded to the volunteers that collect the most trash, find the most unique item, or submit the best photo.

At last year’s event, volunteers collected 5,100 pounds of trash from Flathead waterways and event organizers hope to top that number this year.

“Trash and other debris in

any waterway are harmful to aquatic ecosystems and can keep us from enjoying our favorite places.” Henry said. “We need everyone to do their part to protect the water resources of western Montana and beyond year-round, not just during the cleanup.”

The cleanup is co-hosted by: Western Montana Conservation Commission, Flathead Conservation District, Flathead Rivers

Alliance, Flathead Lakers, Lake County Conservation District, and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Volunteers are asked to register prior to the event on the event website https://tinyurl.com/flatheadcleanup, by contacting Henry by phone at 406461-6831, or by email at emilie.henry@mt.gov.

Left: Flathead North Fork Team 1

Below: Team Friends of Echo Lake

Left: Flathead North Fork Team 2

Below: Team Great Old Broads

Flathead Middle Fork Team

COURTESY PHOTOS

Creatives Indigenous Course concludes with deep dive pitch event in MT

Indigenous Entrepreneurial

Cohort present their business ideas to the community at a live event open to the public

News from Native Max

PABLO — Creatives

Indigenous by Native Max announced a free event at the Salish Kootenai College Theatre where a cohort of Salish and Kootenai artrepreneurs

pitch their business plans to faculty, partners, and the local community. Since the beginning of June, this cohort of Native entrepreneurs has participated in a rigorous accelerator program to explore the business side of the creative industries through course work and weekly virtual meetings. Courses included business opportunity analysis, business model development, leadership and team building, networking and brand marketing, to name a few. Throughout the six week program,

participants were given the opportunity to work and connect with worldclass Native business mentors, collaborate with a cohort of like-minded Native creatives, and engage in an intensive, hands-on course to learn the building blocks of entrepreneurship. With a high-quality curriculum developed in partnership with Creative Startups, these entrepreneurs are finally at the finish line of the program and pitched their business ideas in front of the community on July 22.

“What makes our programs unique is how we incorporate and integrate Indigenous knowledge and values into the curriculum,” says Holmes, a decades-long experienced Native woman business leader. Creatives Indigenous courses are designed to promote Native creativity and disrupt the creative economy with authentic Native business ideas and artistry.

“I’m beyond proud of the participants of the Montana cohort and their business ideas,” Holmes says. “They want to ei-

Les Schwab Tire Centers match donations

Will match donations to Montana Food Bank Network during Pump the Brakes on Child Hunger Fundraiser

News from Les Schwab Tire Centers

MONTANA — Les Schwab

Tires Centers at any Montana location will accept monetary donations in all stores, or from the fundraiser QR code, through Saturday, Aug. 19. Les Schwab Tire Centers will also match donations up to $15,000.

“Les Schwab is proud to invest time and resources into events and organizations that promote responsibility, hard work and serving the community - values our company believes in. We are happy to have the opportunity to partner with Montana Food Bank Network to help pump the brakes on child

hunger in Montana.” Jeff Lowry, Les Schwab Tire Centers Area Manager, stated.

“Montana Food Bank Network is grateful for the support and partnership of Les Schwab Tire Centers over the years and this promotion will have a positive impact for child hunger relief across the state,” Chief Development Officer Bill Mathews said. “One in eight children in Montana are food insecure and raising awareness for child hunger is so important.”

About Les Schwab

Les Schwab Tire Centers (www. lesschwab.com) is one of the leading independent tire dealers in the United States, with more than 8,000 employees and 500 locations across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Alaska.

In every market, Les Schwab takes pride in doing the right thing − staying focused on providing supe-

ther start or grow their businesses while also impacting the local community both economically and positively. It was an exciting six weeks of learning the components of building and running a business and creating a community,” commented Kelly Holmes, CEO and Founder of Native Max.

“I’m so proud of the students who committed time each week to the Indigenous Creatives course—this investment will benefit them in many ways. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive in Indian

people and this course helped actualize it. I look forward to new ventures and growth for our native artists throughout Montana,” stated Velda Shelby, CSKT Director of Economic Development.

The in-person business presentations and pitch contest were held at the Salish Kootenai College (SKC) campus within the Johnny Arlee & Vic Charlo Theatre on Saturday, June 22. Best pitch winners will be awarded prizes provided by Salish Kootenai Business Services.

rior value and building customers for life. The first Les Schwab stores were opened in small towns and rural communities with one guiding principle: provide our neighbors with high-quality products and unparalleled customer service. This single-minded focus on service continues today.

Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN) is Montana’s only statewide food bank and member of Feeding America. MFBN distributes food to over 340 partners that include community food banks, pantries, senior centers, shelters, and schools to end hunger in Montana. MFBN’s hunger relief programs include BackPack, Mail-a-Meal, Hunters Against Hunger, Retail Food Rescue, and SNAP outreach. MFBN advocates for long-term policy solutions to strengthen public nutrition programs and address the root causes of hunger. For more information, visit mfbn.org.

Summit Independent Living reopens Ronan branch

News from Summit Independent Living

RONAN — With the waning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Summit Independent Living’s branch office located in Ronan and serving Lake and Sanders counties, as well as the Flathead Reservation, is open again Mondays through Fridays. Public hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Summit staff are available to deliver in-person independent living services to people with disabilities, as well as information and referral services to all people in Summit’s service area. Scheduled appointments are appreciated, but walk-ins are always welcome.

To learn more, contact County Coordinator Alan Fugleberg at 406-215-1604.

obituaries

Geraldine Maughan

BILLINGS — Geraldine Swainston Maughan was born in Afton, Wyoming, on Dec. 5, 1934. She returned to her Heavenly Father on July 10, 2023, in Billings. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne (2004), and son, Dale (1983).

She is survived by her children: Pam Dark, Ramona Smith, Loraine Nygard, Steven Maughan, Susan Shearer, Annette Wendt, Michele Haslam, Alicia Kelso, Matthew Maughan, 50 grandchildren, and 84 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 27, in Ronan at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 700 Fourth SE Ave.

Jim Fahlgren

POLSON — Jim Ray Fahlgren, age 68, passed away on March 28, 2023, at his residence. A Celebration of Life service for Jim will be held on Saturday, July 29, at noon at the Valley View Club. Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral

Home and Crematory.

Lonnie “Dean” Durand

POLSON — Dean Durand, 82, passed away on Monday, July 17, 2023, at The Retreat in Polson.

Dean was born to Paul and Arlene Durand on June 13, 1941. He grew up in Issaquah, Washington, and graduated in 1959. He married Judy and later divorced.

Dean was lured to the Mission Valley by his wife, Jo. Though native to Montana, Jo had been working in Seattle at the time with her mom, Dolores Clatterbuck, and, through lucky happenstance, ran into Dean while washing clothes at the local laundromat. They moved to Polson in 1971 and he worked for Mars and Mark Rolfson.

While he started his career working in the shipyards in Seattle, Dean knew building was his true passion. Having learned the trait from his dad, he worked hard to further develop his skills and became well known for his honesty, integrity, and strong work ethic. He ran a tight ship and enjoyed the challenge that came with more complicated builds. There was no problem

he couldn’t resolve, and he always had full confidence in his ability to create dwellings that were meant to last. He ultimately founded Durand Construction in 1979, which proudly built many homes, banks, restaurants, and remodeled historical buildings. His commercial construction, specializing in Montana Department of Transportation buildings, span the greater Mission Valley and state of Montana. He retired in 2011.

Dean discovered trap

the company of his family and friends.

He was a member of the Masons and Shriners organizations and was a member of the Mission Valley Elks Foundation for 49 years.

He is survived by his wife, Jo; four kids, Michael (Laurie) of Kentucky; Cindy (Alex) of Kentucky; Kevin (Steph) of Lynnwood, Washington; Aleta (Gabe) of Polson; eight grandchildren, Chad, Amy, Sabrina, Taylor (Austin), Yzabel, Coral (Issac), Eden, and Jude.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the care Dean received at The Retreat in his final days, as well as for the support received from the Elks Lodge.

Dean’s Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, at 2 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Polson.

Laura (Stonehocker) Guenzler.

George grew up and ranched most of his life in the Round Butte area. He married Sharon Carter on April 20, 1963, and they spent many years at each other’s side until her passing in 2018.

George is survived by his son, Paul (Sharon) Guenzler of Ronan; his daughter, Sheila Rigby of Ronan; son, Corey (Carrie) Guenzler of Hot Springs; seven grandchildren, Sarah, Levi, Laurel, Ashley, Chance, Coby, and Coral, as well as six great-grandchildren, Sydney, Kaycee Jo, Cambri, Rhett, Oscar, and Collins. He is also survived by two brothers, Robert (Mary) Guenzler of Idaho Falls and William (Carol) Guenzler of Bellevue, Washington, and his sister, Berniece Bilile of Ronan.

shooting in 1998 and always said the best people around were trap shooters. He loved fishing, hunting, camping, riding horses and spending time with his friends and family. They have lots of good memories. He loved his bird hunting black labs, playing cribbage with anybody that would play, tinkering with his 1969 El Camino and seeing his grandchildren grow. Even after his retirement was cut short by a battle with cancer, Dean continued to strive to find joy through

Frank D. Delgado

ST. IGNATIUS — Frank D. Delgado, age 81, passed away on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at his residence. Memorial services for Frank are pending. Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home.

George T. Guenzler

RONAN — George T. Guenzler, age 86, went on his final ride June 15, 2023. He was born Feb. 16, 1937, to Paul and

George is preceded in death by his parents; younger brother, Ed Guenzler; and his wife of 55 years, Sharon Guenzler.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Round Butte Women’s Club House, 7254 Round Butte Rd. W., Ronan, with lunch to follow. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at: www. shriderthompson.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Shrider-Thompson Funeral Home.

Geraldine Maughan

Dean Durand

SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL Sunset

Montana begins implementing language preservation changes

News from Alex Sakariassen Montana Free Press

MONTANA — Montana’s Office of Public Instruction on Friday opened public comment on a raft of proposed rule changes impacting the Montana Indian Language Preservation Program, a decade-old initiative to bolster Indigenous language proficiency in the state’s 12 tribal nations.

The rule changes are a key step in OPI’s implementation of House Bill 287, which passed the 2023 Legislature with strong bipartisan support and was signed into law by Gov. Greg Gianforte in May. HB 287 sponsor, Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, told Montana Free Press this week that his intent was to take the program — a result of a bill he successfully carried in 2013 — to “the next level as far as preservation.”

“We’re light years ahead of other states in this whole effort, but we’re not even close to where my vision of where this should be at,” Windy Boy said. He added that improvements to the program are intertwined with new reporting requirements he pursued this session to hold public schools more accountable for delivering Indian Education for All.

Windy Boy estimated that since its establishment in 2013, the Montana Indian Language Preservation Program, or MILP, has steered $8 million in state funding to tribal governments to preserve local languages. According to a 2019-20 state report, tribes have used those funds to support the development of curriculum and materials promoting language fluency — flashcards, workbooks, mobile app dictionaries, oral story projects and highway signs. State funding for MILP has historically been awarded on a one-time basis every session, but changes this

year made the program a permanent fixture in Montana’s two-year budget. Now, with OPI’s rulemaking, HB 287 enters the phase where Windy Boy said the “rubber meets the road.” The draft rules released Friday offer Montanans a clearer view of how the agency plans to enact the new reporting and performance guidelines laid out in the law. Those guidelines include definitions for language proficiency, examples of eligible uses for MILP funding and documented plans for building “multigenerational fluency.” OPI spokesperson Brian O’Leary wrote in an email that the new rules will “allow for more tracking of the funds and outcomes” by asking tribes to collect more data related to their efforts.

Ta’Jin Perez, deputy director of the nonprofit Western Native Voice, which supported HB 287, said the new law will hopefully streamline the program, bring a new level of accountability and transparency, and strengthen the collaboration between OPI, tribes and schools involved in delivering language instruction. As with Indian Education for All, Perez added, language preservation is an issue that people in numerous communities are “keeping a close eye on,” including in larger communities such as Billings, Great Falls and Missoula that are adjacent to tribal nations.

“This is a great movement towards greater tribal sovereignty because it’s specifically the ability to preserve these languages and expand them through early education all the way through secondary education in our public schools,” Perez said.

Patrick Yawakie, a lobbyist for the Blackfeet Tribe and co-CEO of Red Medicine LLC, said the changes enacted through HB 287 should bring accountability and added progress to a program that’s already supported see page 22

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

Early Learning Center (ELC) Lead Toddler Teacher (9.5 months)

Salary: $22.48 - $23.22/hour DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Early Learning Center (ELC) Lead Toddler Teacher (9.5 months)

Salary: $22.48 - $23.22/hour DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Clinical Instructor/Clinical Resource Reg. Nurse Part Time Nursing Dept. (9-months)

Salary: $35 per hour 14 hours per week Closing Date: Open Until Filled

SKC Early Learning Center Assistant (Full time - 10 months)

Salary Range: $15.17-$15.99/hr DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Director of Academic Success

Salary: $44,310 - $45,656 DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Custodian Part-time

Salary Range: $13.21 per hour Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Bookstore Director

Salary Range: $40,789 - $45,483

Closing Date: Wednesday, June 7, 2023, 4:00 PM

Student Experience and Campus Life Coordinator

Salary Range: $17.30-$19.23 per hour

Closing Date: Wednesday, June 7, 2023, 4:00 PM

Part Time Grounds Maintenance

Salary Range: $11.30-$13.21 per hour DOE

Closing Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2023, 4:00 PM

The Liberal Arts Department is actively seeking adjuncts to teach communications, research writing, humanities, and grant writing courses. Must possess a master’s degree in English, liberal arts field of study, or education. A bachelor’s degree in English, liberal arts field of study, or education with closely related master’s degree will be considered.

Seasonal - Student Housing Maintenance

Salary Range: $12.25-$14.16 per hour

Closing Date: Wednesday, June 28, 2023, 4:00 PM

Cyber Infrastructure Facilitator

Salary Range DOE: $50,176 to $59,563

Closing Date: Thursday, June 29, 2023 4:00 PM

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

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

Closing Date: Tuesday, July 11, 2023; 4:00 PM

To apply you must submit an SKC application, resume and applicable transcripts to Human Resources, P.O. Box 70, Pablo, MT 59855 Toll free 877.752.6553, ext. 4985 Direct Dial 406.275.4985/4977

MSGA accepts applications

Internship applications accepted for 2023 MSGA Annual

Convention.

News from MSGA

HELENA — Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) has opened internship applications for the 2023 Annual Convention that will be held Dec. 6-8 in Billings. The program was created to provide students with a hands-on experience of the various facets of association event planning and execution, policy development, social media engagement and coverage. Multiple applicants may be accepted as interns during the event.

“Last year, MSGA launched our convention internship program and we had phenomenal results from both the stu-

language preservation

dent and MSGA sides,” shared Raylee Honeycutt, MSGA Executive Vice President. “The future is bright in the cattle industry, and we are excited to offer this opportunity for students again this year.”

MSGA’s Annual Convention and Trade Show is one of two meetings held each year that brings MSGA membership together to set association policy and provide member education. MSGA’s Annual Convention boasts the state’s largest ranching industry trade show, stockgrowers colleges, policy meetings, guest speakers, and some of the best networking opportunities around.

Successful applicants must meet the following requirements:

- Applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA

- Applicants should be an undergraduate college student at a sophomore,

junior, or senior level at the time of application submission

- An agricultural, public policy, or event management degree program is preferred but not required

- Applicants should possess excellent communication skills with a strong work ethic

- Applicants should be US residents

- Applicants must be available to work the entire length of the Montana Stockgrowers Association Annual Convention and Trade Show

Interns will receive lodging during the duration of the internship and a stipend to assist with travel. Applicants will be accepted from July 17 through Sept. 15. Selected applicants will be notified by Oct. 1. For more information, please visit the MSGA Careers Page or contact the MSGA office at 406-442-3420.

from page 21

the inclusion of tribal language in the core curriculum at schools like Arlee’s Nkwusm Salish Language School. Furthermore, he continued, improving MILP helps to recognize the historic injustices that imperiled Indigenous languages throughout the country in the first place and comes at a critical time when some tribes are down to less than a handful of fluent elders.

“This is a good opportunity to fix the wrongs of the past, and more funding for these programs after showing the

success of these programs is important to follow up on in the future,” Yawakie said.

According to O’Leary, eight tribal governments participated in MILP in 2022, each receiving roughly $169,000 to support their individual efforts. HB 287 requires that OPI begin soliciting applications for 2023 MILP funding on Oct. 1, setting a deadline for adopting the new rules. OPI’s public comment period runs through Aug. 18, and the agency has scheduled an in-person public hearing on the proposed rules on Aug. 11, with an option to participate via Zoom.

St. Luke receives American Heart Association award

Awarded for work eliminating rural health disparities

News from St. Luke Community Healthcare

People who live in rural communities live an average of three years fewer than their urban counterparts and face a 30% increased risk for stroke mortality — a gap that has grown over the past two decades. The team at St. Luke Community Healthcare is committed to chang-

ing that. For efforts to improve stroke care and eliminate rural health disparities, St. Luke recently received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Rural Recognition Bronze Performance award. “The facility began participating in the program last August,” shared St. Luke Emergency Department Manager, Stephanie Reffner, “so we were only eligible for the Bronze Performance award this year. However, we are pleased to have obtained

it and, once we have achieved a full year of data reporting, we look forward to achieving Silver Recognition.”

The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, recognizes that people in rural areas face a unique set of challenges to accessing health care and that rural hospitals must work with varied patient care dynamics. For that reason, all rural hospitals participating in Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke are eligible

to receive award recognition focused on a unique set of performance metrics.

“We are proud that our team at St. Luke is being recognized for the important work we do every day to improve the lives of people in the Mission Valley who are affected by stroke, giving them the best possible chance of recovery and survival,” said Reffner. “Meeting the unique needs of our community is critical to improving health outcomes.” Learn more at heart.org/ ruralrecognition.

Well Child Checks are important throughout childhood, even when your child is healthy. St. Luke incorporates sports physicals into Well Child Checks, allowing students and student athletes a comprehensive visit each year with their trusted primary care doctor.

Well Child Checks are typically covered 100% by insurance

Improving health is important, which is why your child's physician will also focus on:

Development Milestones

Immunizations

Age-Related Health Concerns

Depression & Mental Health Screening

If your student completes a Well Child Check with a Sports Physical, St. Luke will donate $25 to their school's athletic booster club!

PUZZLES

GIANT CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Ball catcher

6. Part of a nuclear arsenal, for short

10. Aquatic mammal

15. Beauties

19. Drive away

20. Dashed

21. “And there you are!”

22. Arabian Peninsula country

23. Certifies

24. Neighbor of Libya

25. Behind

26. Kosher ___

27. Queen of the Underworld in Greek mythology

29. Aspect

31. Cheat, slangily

32. Get better

33. Balloon filler

34. Silvery white

37. Chop-chop

39. Speck in the ocean

41. Bonanza finds

42. Chose from a group

43. “The Sand ___”

46. High points

48. 1958 Connie Francis hit, Stupid _

49. Manicurist’s board

50. Ancient area now covered by parts of Bulgaria and Turkey

52. Midafternoon

53. “Blue” or “White” river

54. Acrylic fiber

55. Auction action

56. Flat floater

60. Hollywood special FX

61. Enthusiastic approval

Place the digits 1-9 in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box contains each digit once only.

64. Dizzy musician?

66. Boiling blood

67. Adam’s apple site

68. Deadly missile

69. Criticize harshly

70. 100% effort

72. “Come to My Window”

singer Etheridge

73. Butt

74. Witnessed

75. Wonderment

76. Disappearing phone features

77. Tex-Mex snack

78. Rocky debris

80. Call for

82. Having stopped lying

83. Full of excitement

84. Kind of fund

85. Orbital extremes

87. Aim

89. Information unit

90. Cuff

91. Like Bo-Peep’s charges

92. Be generous

94. Agatha Christie’s “The ___ Murders”

95. “ER” doctor

99. Stroke

100. Plains Indian

102. Unpredictability

105. “What’s gotten ___ you?”

107. Calypso or Daphne

109. All fired up

110. Where Verdi’s “Otello” premiered

111. Fed a line

112. “Cut it out!”

113. Benevolent Hindu spirit

114. With it

115. Transmit 116. Add on 117. Times past 118. Biblical gift

DOWN

1. Boardroom diagram

2. Embankment

3. “The Barber of Seville,” e.g.

4. French poetry

5. “Anything ___?”

6. Most in need of calamine lotion

7. Associate

8. Breakfast staple

9. Euripides drama

10. Egg cells

11. Chewy candies

12. “Clash of the ___”

13. Bumper sticker word

14. Unusually excellent

15. Pantheon member

16. May birthstone

17. Bad feeling

18. Attacked verbally

28. Far from ruddy

30. Brownish gray

35. 2019’s “Always Be My Maybe,” e.g. 36. Inexperienced 38. Electrician’s need

Arch

64. _ Geechee, southeastern US ethnic community

65. ___ Aquarids (May meteor shower)

68. Hits

71. Naval flag

72. Ballroom dance

76. Mississippi ___

77. “Peter Pan” princess

79. Stream

81. Brazilian partner dances

82. “Baloney!”

83. On paper

84. Gap between neurons

86. Early Brit

87. Talking points

88. Park, for one

89. Archer

90. Slobber

92. Senior member 93. Dodge

96. Edmonton hockey player

97. Brenda of the comics

98. Electronic instrument, for short

Out-and-out

Bowl-shaped drinking vessel 48. Flu symptom 51. Pope’s jurisdiction 52. Capital of Georgia 57. Calm 58. Wedding planner 59. They may be pulled

101. Ancient Andean 103. “Your turn” 104. Muslim leader 106. Anomalous 108. Spell

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

Terms relating to stars

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

97. Starr, 98. Synth, 101. Inca, 103. Over, 104. Imam, 106. Odd, 108. Hex.

76. Delta, 77. Tiger lily, 79. Creek, 81. Lambadas, 82. Rot, 83. Written, 84. Synapse, 86. Pict, 87. Topics, 88. Avenue, 89. Bowman, 90. Saliva, 92. Doyen, 93. Evade, 96. Oiler,

68. Beats, 71. Ensign, 72. Minuet,

47. Calix, 48. Chills, 51. Holy See, 52. Tbilisi, 57. Appease, 58. Fiancée, 59. Tendons, 61. All, 62. Cabaret, 63. Crewed, 64. Gullah, 65. Eta,

40. Sly, 42. Curdles, 43. Pencils, 44. Emigree, 45. Believe, 46. Arrant,

15. God, 16. Emerald, 17. Malice, 18. Sniped, 28. Pale, 30. Taupe, 35. Romcom, 36. Green, 38. Pliers,

10. Ova, 11. Toffees, 12. Titans, 13. Elect, 14. Rare,

Ronan

By Donna Daniels for the Valley Journal

RONAN — 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 is:

— Wednesday, July 26: chili, cinnamon rolls, salad

— Friday, July 28: roast Beef Dinner, salad, dessert

— Monday, July 31: lasagna, salad, dessert

— Wednesday, Aug. 2: Potluck Day, salad, dessert

If you have any nominations for “Senior of the Year,” please stop in and sign them up. It doesn’t have to be a member of the Mission Valley Senior Center, just a deserving community member.

On the eve of July 28, the audiologist from St. Luke, will be here to screen for hearing. You don’t have to be a member to have this done. There is a limit of ten people, so if you would like a hearing test done, call ahead of time at 406-676-2371.

Area VI Agency on Aging is having a Cookbook Fundraiser. If you would like to submit a recipe, stop in and get a form.

Pinochle is held every

Monday from 3:30-6 p.m. at the center. Everyone is welcome.

We also have pool table available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Come join the fun.

Everyone is welcome to join us for our meals no matter your age. 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 a.m. Also, we will gladly send you a menu, if requested.

Polson

By Pete Mangels for the Valley Journal

POLSON — Women’s world cup of soccer opened July 20. Temperature in Sidney, Montana, 79 degrees, the other Sidney 53 degrees. The coaches and fans are wearing down-lined winter coats. Polson, 89 degrees.  It’s fire season. Summer was in June if you missed it.

We have noted a sub-

stantial increase in lunch meals delivered and lunch meals served to people walking through our doors.

We are thankful for your support, and pleased to meet the needs of those senior citizens who are home bound.

The annual meeting of the Polson Senior Center, Inc. will be held the last Friday in August at 10:30 a.m. at the center. We need your input at this meeting. The annual report will be given and elections of officers and the board of directors will be held. The meeting should be over by lunch time.

Volunteer drivers are needed immediately for Lunch-on-Wheels. Pick your day or days Monday through Friday to deliver starting at about 10:30 a.m. and finishing in about an hour.

Activities:

Bingo: $100 payout on blackout guaranteed - bingo games played Fridays at 7 p.m. “Playing Card” bingo played the first and third Wednesday of each month

Exercise: low impact - M-W-F from 10:30–11:30 a.m. free informal video-assisted self-guidance

Pinochle: Thursdays noon-3 p.m., free cookies, coffee, and good times

Bridge: call for day and time

Pool: open table from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdaysform a group, pick a time Veterans’ Rep:  First Friday (Aug. 4) and third Tuesday (Aug. 18) from 10 a.m.-noon Menu (subject to change): $5 serving from 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. sit-down or take-out; call before 10 a.m. for

delivery.

— Wednesday, July 26: Catalina taco salad, tortilla chips, cuke/onion, key lime bars

— Thursday, July

27: corn dogs, baked beans, coleslaw, cookies

— Friday, July 28: birthday lunch - roast turkey, mashed spuds, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, frozen cranberry salad, birthday cake

— Monday, July 31: creamed vegetable soup, bread, green salad, peaches

— Tuesday, Aug. 1: Goulash, corn, garlic bread, green salad, rhubarb dessert

— Wednesday, Aug. 2:  Baked chicken, rice pilaf, mixed vegetable, peas/cheese salad, peanut butter bars

— Thursday, Aug. 3: cheeseburgers, tater tots, with ranch, apple salad, banana bread

— Friday, Aug. 4: Tater tot casserole, biscuit, deviled eggs, cookies We are located at 504 Third Ave. E and open from 8 a.m.–3 p.m. on weekdays. Call 406-8834735 or email us at: polsonseniorcenter@gmail. com. Submit your email address for updates and additional information from the center.

see page 27

It is hoped that all of her friends and acquaintances will join the family in remembrance of her.

St. Ignatius

By Barb Plouffe for the Valley Journal

ST. IGNATIUS —

We would like to say thank to all who came to the pancake breakfast, played bingo and bid on the silent auction items, and thank all the volunteers as well that helped prepare the pancake breakfast and helped serve it. A special thank you goes to the Mission Valley Ranch Hands 4-H Club for all their help. We had 4-H members and members of the Christian Church ride on the Senior Citizen float. We could not have done all these things without all the help.

The St. Ignatius Senior Center is looking to hire a Site Manager. They will work with the kitchen staff to plan meals, complete the computer work, visit with meal participants, and help the center with other projects. The work is two to three days a week for six-eight hours a day. If you are interested in the position, call 406-745-4462 for more information.

Gardens have started to produce, and fresh vegetables are healthy for each of us. If you have a garden and find yourself with extra veggies and/ or fruit, please remember the senior centers and your local Food Pantries. I know everyone enjoys fresh items.

If you are interested in owning a 1000 pieces puzzle, we have quite a few to give out.

Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy a meal with us. We love to have old neighbors and new come and enjoy our meals. You don’t have to be a senior to join and support our center.

Enjoy a meal with us:

Friday, July 28: noon

- barbecue chicken, bun, cabbage salad, cherry pie

Tuesday, Aug. 1: noon

- pork stir fry, rice, veggies, Mandarin oranges, dessert

Wednesday, Aug. 2: dinner at 5:30 p.m.

- meatloaf, mixed vegetables, cucumber and cream salad, garlic toast, lemon bars

Friday, Aug. 4: noonsalmon patties with bun, peas/cheese salad, cherry dump cake

If you are interested in a takeout meal, please call 406-745-4462, by 10 a.m. and leave a message,

if no one answers. If you would like a menu, please call and we can email it to you or pick one up on regular meal day. There are generally copies of the menu in the entryway at the center.

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 held on Wednesdays. If you are interested in participating, call Bonnie Kiser at 406-2253-0171. Her rates are five sessions for $60.

We have walkers, a commode, a shower chair, a wheelchair, a high-rise toilet seat, four-prong canes, regular canes, and a transfer bench to loan out. We also have some Depends, sanitary pads

and body wipes available. Call 406-745-4462 and leave a message or come in on regular meal day to see what we have.

Our senior center is available for rent. If interested, call 406-7454462 and leave a message.

The center has a computer available for use by the public. Come in on Tuesdays or Fridays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. or call and leave a message. We will return your call.

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

calendar extended calendar at www.valleyjournal.net

Wednesday, July 26

Cancer Support Group reorganized

POLSON — A support group for anyone affected by cancer will be led by Pastor Matthew Connally of Ronan/Polson Nazarene Church. Cheerful Heart Cancer Support group meets from noon to 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month in the Chapel at St. Joseph Medical Center. Questions can be directed to the message line at 406-883-3070 or go to: www.cheerfulheart.org or email: cheerfulheart46@ gmail.com.

Fair 4-H breakfast

RONAN — From 7-11 a.m. the Lake County Fair will hold a 4-H breakfast. The swine show takes place from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Horticulture Barn opens at 10 a.m. Perishable open class check-in is from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The cat show is at 1 p.m. A family style dinner takes place at 5 p.m. At 6 p.m. market beef judging takes place. Open class judges orientation is at 6:30 p.m. and open class judging happens between 7-9 p.m.

see page 28

from page 27

Practice meditation

ZOOM — Mission Mountain Zen Center is offering free online meditation classes. Join the Center on 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. We will cultivate and deepen our centering skills and meditation practice during the class. 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, July 27

Fair holds 4-H judging

RONAN — Breakfast is served from 7-11 a.m. at the Lake County Fair. The Kid Zone is open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Judges orientation is at 8:30 a.m. The Sheep Show is at 9 a.m., the Goat Show is at 11:30 a.m., the Fashion Review is at 4:30 p.m., the Small Fry Stock Show is at 5 p.m., the Market Livestock Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. and the Market Livestock Sale starts at 7 p.m.

Go to the Ronan Farmers Market

RONAN — The Ronan Farmers Market is the place to find locally grown vegetables, meats, eggs, nursery plants, baked goods and jams, and of course, Montana-made crafts. The market is open every Thursday from

3:30-6:30 p.m. behind the Ronan Visitor Center. Come out and support your local farmers and artisans.

Reading program talks animals wonders

POLSON — All summer reading programs will be held at the library’s temporary location, 301 16th Ave. E. (United Methodist Church building). See you at 10 a.m.

Friday, July 28

Hot Springs enjoys twoday Blues Festival

HOT SPRINGS — For two days on the north lawn of Symes Hot Springs Hotel the annual Hot Springs Blues Festival will feature true blues. The Pleasure Kings will play nightly from 6-8 p.m. and from 8:30-10:30 p.m. JD and the Jaguars will perform. Call 406-741-2361 or go to: symeshotspringsbluesfestival.com for updates.

Lake County Fair continues

RONAN — Lake County Fair festivities continue with a breakfast from 8-11 a.m. The kid zone will be open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A Rabbit Show is at 9 a.m. and the Mission Mountain Quilt Guild Show takes place at K. W. Harvey Elementary gymnasium from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The Poultry Show is at 1 p.m. and the Rabbit Show is at 2:30 p.m. Beef Showmanship takes place at 6 p.m. and a teen dance starts at 9 p.m.

Grab crab crackers for Crabfest

RONAN — Tickets to the Ronan Chamber crab boil with all the fixin’s are

for sale at $40 a piece. Get ready for a family style Crab Fest and grab your grandmas, coolers, camp chairs crab pliers, favorite beverages and bibs and meet us at the Lake County Fairgrounds. Live music and so much more from 5-7 p.m. More information at ronanchamber.com

Saturday, July 29

Second weekend yard sale held in Big Arm

BIG ARM — The Big Arm Association will hold our second Community Yard Sale on Saturday July 29 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at our historic Big Arm School.

Donations are now being accepted during our Thursday coffee hour 10 a.m.-noon or for other drop off arrangements please call Nancy/Jeff at 406-849-5064 or Ron Roberts at 406-871-5809 or e-mail- thebigarmassociation@gmail.com.

You can also rent a space at our yard sale for a donation of $10. Please bring your own table. Let us know so we can reserve a spot for you.

All proceeds from the sale will be used to maintain our historic Big Arm School

More true blues heard HOT SPRINGS — On the north lawn of Symes Hot Springs Hotel the Hot Springs Blues Festival will feature true blues from around the Northwest.

Music performed from 4-6 p.m. will be by the Kenny James Miller Band with Money Penny performing from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mudslide Charley plays from 9-11 p.m. Call 406-741-2361 or go to: symeshotspringsbluesfesti-

val.com for updates.

Ranch rodeo held

RONAN — The Lake County Fair continues with breakfast at the fairgrounds from 8-11 a.m. The kid zone is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and the beef and dairy breeding and showmanship program is from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The Quilt Show continues from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at K.W. Harvey Elementary. The Large Animal Round Robin takes place between 3 and 4 p.m. with the small animal Round Robin to follow. A ranch rodeo is from 5-8 p.m. All livestock will be released between 7-9 p.m. with clipping chutes removed.

Cherry Festival begins

POLSON — The Polson Business Community invites you to participate in the 23rd annual Polson Main Street Flathead Cherry Festival from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday July 29 and from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday, July 30. They are proud to note that this two-day event has been recognized among the top five must-see tourism attractions in the state. The festival includes fresh local cherry sales, artists, vendors, local food and drinks.

Participate in sidewalk chalk art contest

POLSON — The Flathead Cherry Festival will hold a sidewalk chalk art contest from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 29. Get ready and be creative on your block of the sidewalk – al all-ages contest with prizes for winners in different categories. Pick up chalk beginning at noon. The contest will be judged at 5 p.m.

Spit cherries

POLSON — At 2 p.m.

Anderson Broadcasting will host a cherry spitting contest. Cherries will be provided for this all-ages competition.

Sunday, July 30

Weekly guidance offered at Community Church

POLSON — Feeling

lost in your faith? Receive free guidance every Sunday. Come join us on the hill at Polson Community Church, 1814 1st Street E, at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. We will also have “Seekers,” an adult Sunday School class, at 9:15 a.m.

Foodie Competition held

POLSON — At the Cherry Festival at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 30, enter your prized baked or cooked recipes for a chance to win the title of the Best Pie, Sweet or Savory. The deadline for entry is Friday, July 28, at 9 p.m. Fill out the form online at: https://form.jotform.com/ Polson_Chamber/FHCF23-FOODIE. Bring your item ready to get served and plated on-site. We will provide plates, bowls, and utensils. A panel of four judges from within the community will be scoring based on the following categories: originality & creativity; texture & color; flavor profiles; presentation. Winners in each category will win a prize package worth over $150 from participating local businesses.

Enjoy pancake breakfast

POLSON — A full pancake breakfast to start

your morning right will be served at the Elks Lodge on Main Street from 7-11 a.m.

Cherry Festival continues

POLSON — The final day of the Cherry Festival takes place on Main Street in downtown from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Barrel race takes place

RONAN — At 9 a.m. the NBHA barrel race takes place at the Lake County Fairgrounds.

Tuesday, Aug. 1

Horsemen discuss trail projects

RONAN — Mission Valley Backcountry Horsemen will have their next monthly meeting on Aug. 1, at 7 p.m. at the Ronan VFW on Round Butte Rd. Our club will discuss the remainder of our trail projects to be completed for 2023 and the projects we’ve completed so far. Hope to see you there.

Wednesday, Aug. 2

Final basketball clinic held

PABLO — Salish Kootenai College will hold their final basketball clinic on Aug. 2 and 3 for students in 9th-12 grade. Students will get hands-on training while learning the fundamentals of basketball. Students will get to play with SKC basketball players at each session. To register or if you have questions call Coach Harris at 406-529-8217.

Announcements

Auctions

JOHNCO STORAGE: Public sale August 2rd, 2023 at 2:00 pm. at 808 7th Street East, Polson. Sell to highest bidder for CASH OR CERTIFIED CHECK ONLY, contents of units 13, 34, 108, 110,129, 155, 189. Units are subject to redemption prior to sale time. 406-883-5405.

Special Notices

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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

TRIBAL FORESTRY DEPARTMENT HEAD TRIBAL FORESTRY

The successful applicant must have Master’s degree preferred, in Forestry with at least two (2) years’ increasing experience in management of administration, preferably within the CSKT organization. OR, Bachelor’s degree in Forestry with at least five (5) years’ increasing experience in management or administration preferably within the CSKT organization. OR, ten (10) years of increasing experience in Forestry, management or administration preferably within the CSKT organization. OR, equivalent education and experience in a related resource management field (land management, natural resource

Your Car

management or other renewable resource management) including management or administration preferably within the CSKT system. Working knowledge of tribal government and the Tribal organization. Working knowledge of basic management functions. Working knowledge of basic forest management. Working knowledge of state and federal regulations. Basic knowledge of Tribal Self-Governance. All applicants are required to submit a Tribal application, copies of relevant transcripts and/or certificates to the Personnel Department. Salary is $44.58 to $51.25 per hour plus benefits. To apply, contact Personnel at 406.675.2700 ext.1040 or apply online at csktribes.org. Closing date: Thursday, August 10, 2023 @ 5:30 p.m. This is 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.

CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

DETENTION OFFICER

1 OR MORE POSITIONS

TRIBAL LAW & ORDER

The successful applicant must possess a high school diploma or a GED. Must be 18 years of age. No felony convictions ever. No misdemeanor convictions in the past year except minor traffic. Must possess a valid Montana driver’s license. Must meet minimum department medical standards. Must never have had a misdemeanor conviction involving

child abuse, a sex offense, and assault with a weapon or violent crime against a person or domestic abuse. Must not have any record of habitual use of alcohol within the past five years. Must not have any record or history of drug abuse within the past five years. Must not be the subject of a current investigation involving criminal activities including indictments. Must not have three or more moving traffic violations within the past two years. Must not have a driving under the influence of drug and/or alcohol or reckless driving convictions within the past three years. Must not have been dismissed or resigned from law enforcement work due to threat of disciplinary action that could result in termination of employment during the past three years. Salary range $20.02 per hour, plus benefits. All applicants are required to submit a Tribal application, copies of relevant transcripts and/or certificates and valid driver’s license to the Tribal Personnel Department, 406.675.2700 ext. 1040 or visit the csktribes. org website for the application. Closing date will be Thursday, August 3, 2023 @ 5:30 p.m. This is 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.

CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY - (CONTRACT

POSITION) - TRIBAL DEFENDERS OFFICE

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes is seeking a criminal defense attorney to provide representation to adults and juveniles charged in Tribal Court. The successful applicant must be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Montana, or the state bar association in which the applicant currently practices. Applicants to the Montana Bar waiting for admission may be considered on a contingency basis. All applicants are required to submit a Tribal application, proof of license showing you are in good standing of the bar of the State of Montana, copy of valid state driver’s license, copies of relevant transcripts and/or certificates, resume and legal writing sample to the Tribal Personnel Department, 406.675.2700 ext. 1040 or visit the csktribes.org website for the application. Salary $72,000.00 - $83,000.00 annually, depending on experience. Closing date will be Thursday, August 10, 2023 @ 5:30 p.m. The successful applicant, if not already

employed with the Tribes, must pass a pre-hire drug test and serve a six-month probationary period.

CSKT IS AN INDIAN PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

DEPUTY CLERK OF COURT I (1 or more positions) TRIBAL COURT DEPARTMENT

The successful applicant must possess a high school diploma or GED. Must be able to accurately type 50 wpm. Must have a high level of clerical, word processing, proofreading, grammar and accounting skills as outlined in job description requirements. Must be able to maintain confidentiality and sign a court confidentiality agreement. The applicant must have high level of customer service and working with outside agencies and the public. All applicants must submit a completed Tribal employment application, a copy of relevant academic transcript, a copy of a current valid driver’s license, proof of enrollment from a federally

recognized Tribe if other than CSKT and if claiming veteran’s preference, a copy of DD214 must be submitted. FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION DURING

THE SCREENING PROCESS. This 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) months probationary period. Salary range is $13.81 to $15.88 per hour and includes benefits. To apply, contact Personnel at (406) 675-2700 Ext. 1040, or personnel@cskt.org. Tribal applications are also available online at csktribes.org. Closing date will be Thursday, August 10, 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)

Vehicles

Miscellaneous

INVENTORY CLEARANCE SALE

Auto /Truck Starters and Alternators. 305 units, all remanufactured and tested for earlier vehicles, prior to 2000. Closing business. Selling off all rebuilt starters and alternators at 55% off retail. If your car or truck in 1997 or older, at this price you can afford to have a spare. Call Jerry at 406-207-4641.

Legals

Legals

Lyn Fricker Clerk of District Court

Lake County Courthouse 106 4th Ave E. Polson, MT 59860 (406) 883-7254

MONTANA TWENTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, LAKE COUNTY

IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF: TALLON FORTIN, Petitioner, and MARY KATHLEEN FORTIN, Respondent.

Cause No. DR-23-15

Hon. Deborah Kim Christopher

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION

NOTICE: You are named in this family-law lawsuit. The court may make a decision without your involvement unless you submit a written response to the court and to the Petitioner within 21 days. Read

the information below.

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the amended proposed parenting plan, which is filed in the office of the clerk of this Court, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, and to file your answer and serve a copy thereof upon the Plaintiff’s attorneys within twenty-one (21) days after the service of this Summons, being three weeks after the last publication of this Summons, and in the case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default, for the relief demanded in the Amended Proposed Parenting Plan.

WITNESS my hand and seal of said Court on this 14th day of July, 2023.

Lyn Fricker Clerk of Court

By: Becky Jackson Deputy Clerk

July 26, August 2 and 9, 2023

MNAXLP

Kalmbach Law Office, PLLC

Justin Kalmbach, Esq. PO Box 249

1 Fifth Avenue West Polson, MT 59860

Telephone: (406) 883-1159

Fax: (406) 883-1497

Email: justin@polsonlegal.com

Attorney for Personal Representative

MONTANA TWENTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, LAKE COUNTY

IN RE THE ESTATE OF: WILLIAM ARCHIE ASHLEY, Deceased.

Cause No. DP-23-40 Dept. No. 1

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.

Claims must either be mailed to Codi Van Ness, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, c/o Kalmbach Law Office, PLLC, PO Box 249, Polson, MT 59860 or filed with the Clerk of the above Court.

Dated this 29th day of June, 2023.

/s/ Codi Van Ness Personal Representative C/O Kalmbach Law Office, PLLC 1 5th Ave. W. Polson, MT 59860

July 19, 26 and Aug. 2, 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

The City of Wolf Point, Mont., is accepting applications for a full-time Public Works Director. Salary is negotiable based on education and experience. Benefits include retirement in the Public Employees Retirement System, health insurance paid for employee with family plans available, vacation, sick leave and paid holidays. Wolf Point is located in the heart of northeast Montana and offers some of the best hunting for upland birds, deer, antelope and, if drawn for tags, elk. Fort Peck Dam is 45 minutes west of Wolf Point and is the home to trophy walleye, northern pike, lake trout and small mouth bass. For application packet, contact ctywlfpt@nemont.net. Closing Date: Aug. 31, 2023.

MONTANA TWENTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, LAKE COUNTY

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: JOANNE VICTORIA BROWN, Deceased.

Cause No.: DP-23-41

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That the undersigned has been appointed as Personal Representative of the above-entitled estate, and that the address of the Personal Representative is set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent having claims against the decedent’s estate must present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice, or be forever barred as creditors of the decedent.

A written statement of the claim indicating its basis, the name and address of the claimant, and the amount claimed, may be filed with the Clerk of the 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/ Gail S. Krauthoff

Gail S. Krauthoff

Personal Representative Estate of JOANNE VICTORIA BROWN, Deceased.

July 19, 26, and August 2, 2023 MNAXLP School District No. 30 Ronan/Pablo Schools

NOTICE OF FINAL BUDGET HEARING

The Board of Trustees of School District No. 30, Lake County, Ronan, Montana will meet on August 7, 2023 at 7:00 pm at the K. William Harvey Multi-Purpose room to consider and adopt the final budgets of the Ronan Elementary and Ronan High School Districts for the 2023-2024 school year. The meeting of the trustees may be continued from day to day until the final adoption of the district’s budget. District taxpayers may attend and be heard for or against any part of the school budget. For further information, please contact the Superintendent and/or attend the meeting.

July 26 and August 2, 2023

MNAXLP

public notices

PLLP, Attorneys for the Co-Personal Representatives, at P.O. Box 699, Polson, MT 59860.

ESTATE OF SUSANNA NORMANDEAU

BY: /s/ Thomas H. Normandeau

Representative, return receipt requested, c/o FRENCH, GRAINEY & WILLIAMS, PLLC, 324 Main SW, Ronan, MT 59864, or filed with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court. DATED this 19th day of July, 2023.

MONTANA TWENTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, LAKE COUNTY

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JENNIFER I. HOGAN, Decedent.

Matthew H. O’Neill

Skyler C. Bagley

O’NEILL & BAGLEY LAW OFFICE, PLLP

402 First Street East, Suite 201

P.O. Box 699

Polson, MT 59860

Telephone: (406) 883-5444

Facsimile: (406) 883-1585

matt@polsonlaw.com

skyler@polsonlaw.com

Attorney for Co-Personal Representatives

MONTANA TWENTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, LAKE COUNTY

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF SUSANNA NORMANDEAU, Deceased.

CAUSE No. DP-23-42

Hon. Deborah Kim Christopher

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That the undersigned have been appointed as Co-Personal Representatives of the above-entitled estate, and that the address of the Co-Personal Representatives is set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent having claims against the decedent’s estate must present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice, or be forever barred as creditors of the decedent.

A written statement of the claim indicating its basis, the name and address of the claimant, and the amount claimed, may be filed with the Clerk of the 20th Judicial District Court, at 106 4th Ave. East, Polson, Montana 59860, or mailed, Return Receipt Requested, to the Co-Personal Representatives, c/o O’NEILL & BAGLEY LAW OFFICE,

THOMAS H. NORMANDEAU, Co-Personal Representative

BY: /s/ Paul H. Normandeau

PAUL H. NORMANDEAU

Co-Personal Representative

July 19, 26, and August 2, 2023

MNAXLP

William P. Williams, IV

FRENCH, GRAINEY & WILLIAMS, PLLC

324 Main SW

Ronan, MT 59864

Telephone: (406) 676-4470

Attorney for Personal Representative bill@fgwilliamslaw.com

MONTANA TWENTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, LAKE COUNTY

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ELAINE PEARL MURPHY, Deceased.

CAUSE NO. DP-23-45

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the abovenamed Estate. All persons having claims against the said deceased are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice or said claims will be forever barred as creditors of the decedent.

A written statement of the claim indicating its basis, the name and address of the claimant, and the amount claimed, must either be mailed to JAMES D. MURPHY, the Personal

Service Directory

/s/ James D. Murphy JAMES D. MURPHY, Personal Representative

July 26, August 2 and 9, 2023

MNAXLP

Filling Vacated Trustee Position - MCA: 20-3-309

The Polson School District 23 Board of Trustees is seeking letters of interest from individuals wishing to serve on the Polson School Board. Any person assuming this trustee position under the provisions of MCA 20-3-309, section (3) shall serve until the next regular school election and his or her successor has qualified, which will be May 2024.

Any person residing in District and a registered voter may submit a letter of interest to Deb Anderson, District Clerk/ Business Manager on or before 3:00 p.m. on August 1st, 2023 via email danderson@- polson.k12.mt.us. All letters of interest will be reviewed and the position will be filled after candidate interviews at a Special board meeting scheduled on August 8, 2023.

July 19 and 26, 2023

Matthew H. O’Neill

Skyler C. Bagley

MNAXLP

O’NEILL & BAGLEY LAW OFFICE, PLLP

402 First Street East, Suite 201 P.O. Box 699 Polson, MT 59860

Telephone: (406) 883-5444

Facsimile: (406) 883-1585

matt@polsonlaw.com

skyler@polsonlaw.com

Attorneys for Personal Representative

CAUSE No. DP-23-44

Hon. Molly Owen

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That the undersigned has been appointed as Personal Representative of the above-entitled estate, and that the address of the Personal Representative is set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent having claims against the decedent’s estate must present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice, or be forever barred as creditors of the decedent.

A written statement of the claim indicating its basis, the name and address of the claimant, and the amount claimed, may be filed with the Clerk of the 20th Judicial District Court, at 106 4th Ave. East, Polson, Montana 59860, or mailed, Return Receipt Requested, to the Personal Representative, c/o O’NEILL & BAGLEY LAW OFFICE, Attorneys for the Personal Representative, at P.O. Box 699, Polson, MT 59860.

/s/ Vernon Davis

VERNON DAVIS

Personal Representative

Estate of Jennifer I. Hogan, Deceased.

July 26, August 2 and 9, 2023 MNAXLP