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November 19, 2009
Ronan community gathers to honor veterans
Kate Haake/Valley Journal
Veteran Bob Bell listens as Ron Merwin speaks about his time in the Navy and the toll it took on his brave family at the Veterans Day Patriotic Celebration last Wednesday night.
Valley Journal
RONAN — Patriotism was ablaze last Wednesday night at Ronan Middle School, as a local salute was given to all those who served in the military services defending the interests and freedoms of the United States.
The Veterans Day Patriotic Celebration included motivational speaker and singer Linda Lanier and involved many local veterans in the program.
Veterans and non-veterans alike congregated in honor of all those who served in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.
Earlier in the day Ronan American Legion Commander Ed Ganieany led a crew of veterans and two currently serving..........
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Businesses petition for smoking ordinance ban
By Berl Tiskus
Valley Journal
POLSON — The Montana Clean Indoor Air Act went into effect on Oct. 1, and the patrons of many local bars and taverns had to take their smokes outside.
Downtown Polson, like many small Montana towns, has bars interspersed among other businesses in its downtown business district.
Also on Oct. 1 Melinda Leas, who owns PilatesPlus, a fitness studio on Main Street, was out on her lunch hour doing some errands. When she returned to her studio, a group of at least eight people were blocking the sidewalk in the front of the Wolf Den, smoking and making it uncomfortable for Leas to pass.
Leas didn’t want .............
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Polson awaits tax money, commissioner Sohm resigns
By Berl Tiskus
Valley Journal
POLSON — City Treasurer Bonnie Manicke reported that the city of Polson’s general all purpose fund has a balance of $27,624.65 at the Polson City Commission meeting held on Nov. 16. Lake County will be transmitting approximately $1,024,881.00 in tax money to the city coffers on Dec. 15, but until then the city will be about $100,000 short. The city has not gone over budget, but delinquent real estate taxes for 2008 in addition to paying half time wages for the building inspector and no collections from Westana have affected the general all purpose fund according to City Manager Todd Crossett.
Options for dealing with the shortfall include an interim payment from the Lake County Treasurer, a short-term loan through Intercap or borrowing from the city of Polson.
“We’re cutting everywhere we can cut,” Crossett said........
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Rescue crews practice advanced vehicle extrication techniques
Berl Tiskus/Valley Journal
Members of the Polson Volunteer Fire Department took part in an advanced vehicle extrication training session on Nov. 14. The training included hands-on experience with wrecked vehicles plus three hours of class time on Nov. 11.
Valley Journal
The cars with crumpled front ends and dented, smashed-in SUVs filling the lower parking lot at Ricciardi’s Italian Seafood House on Saturday, Nov. 14, looked the worse for wear. The carnage of steel, aluminum and plastic suggested a major pileup the night before, but they were not recent wrecks.
Instead, the pile of cars was all a part of the theater that was about to unfold in the parking lot. The vehicles were part of an advanced vehicle extrication training hosted by the Finley Point Volunteer Fire Department.
Firefighters from Bigfork, Columbia Falls, Creston, Ferndale, Finley Point, Polson, Stevensville and Yellow Bay gathered around the battered automobile hulks for a good part of the day for what was to be the working end of some advanced rescue instruction. The firefighters previously met for three hours of classroom instruction on Nov. 11 and now it was hands-on time........
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'Get a Life' fair challenges students to face reality
Melea Burke/Valley Journal
Mission High School students enjoy themselves while learning about insurance from Rick Tameler at Tuesday's "Get a Life" fair.
By Melea Burke
Valley Journal
ST. IGNATIUS — Mission High School students tasted reality this week. They learned about some of the tough decisions they’ll face after graduation, like choosing whether to attend college or go directly into the workforce, or picking between insurance or new clothes.
The “Get a Life” fair, part of the high school’s career day, is a valuable learning opportunity that’s designed to give students a glimpse of what they’ll face once their high school careers are over, explained Terri Cable, family and consumer sciences teacher.
“We’re trying to get kids to understand all the varied options,” she explained.
College isn’t the only option for students wanting to further their education, and a minimum-wage job isn’t the only option for those that don’t attend college. Speakers at career day discussed options like technical school, online college and Kicking Horse Job Corps with the students. A group of Mission High School alumni spoke to students about their lives after high school, and the seniors even shared with the freshman what they would do differently if they could start high school over.
“We’re hoping that that has a pretty good impact,” Cable said........
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Baby fair celebrates healthy babies, mothers
Kate Haake/Valley Journal
Children play near the immunization sign at last weekend's Baby Fair held in the Ronan Event Center.
By Kate Haake
Valley Journal
RONAN — For the last five years, Lake County Early Childhood Services has thrown a party, celebrating healthy babies and healthy mothers.
“Five years ago, I wanted to have a party for babies,” Early Childhood Services Director Jeanne Christopher said. “So I got a group together.”
Christopher said that the event was planned in order to help women have healthy pregnancies and to teach them how to take good care of themselves while pregnant. Also, the baby fair enabled young mothers and mothers-to-be to make contacts with people who can be of assistance during their pregnancies and during their child’s early life.
In a combined effort with the Lake County Health Department, Salish Kootenai Confederated Tribes Health Department, and local business, this year’s baby celebration was a great success.
Young families came from all around the county to snatch up some handy prizes donated by local businesses and organizations......
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More news ...
‣ Food Pantry relocates in Polson
‣ Metzger bail reduced
‣ Danley is Polson Chamber's 2009 Teacher of the Year
‣ SKC narrows President finalists list
‣ Bench is a welcome addition to new Arlee playground
‣ Share The Spirit program seeks contributions, volunteers
‣ County seeks volunteers for board positions
‣ Ronan Community Center hosts free Thanksgiving dinner
‣ Polson Senior Center site for free Thanksgiving dinner
‣ Bison Range shifts to winter hours
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