| November 26, 2009
Kiley's fight
Kiley Heffner, a 6-year-old from Dayton, battles leukemia with such dignity and courage that it inspires a community to rally behind her.
Aaric Bryan/Valley Journal
D.J. Heffner protectively watches over his daughter, Kiley, as she has blood drawn from a mediport in her chest at the Infusion Center at Kalispell Regional Wednesday. The blood test revealed that Kiley's white blood cell count was high enough to proceed with a scheduled chemotherapy treatment.
By Aaric Bryan
Valley Journal
Six-year-old Kiley Heffner has a small role, a role she isn’t too happy about, in the upcoming Dayton School Christmas play, but there’s little doubt that she’ll be there to deliver her single line like only she can.
Last December, Kiley was battling a constant fever that would break to only come back stronger. Inexplicable bruises kept showing up on her small body and she was tired, she was always tired.
“But I still went to the Christmas play,” Kiley chimes in as her father D.J. tells the story in the front room of their one-bedroom house in Dayton.
Kiley did make it to last year’s play, but her illness only got worse afterwards. D.J. had taken her to a doctor, but the doctor failed to recognize.........
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H1N1 immunization walk-in clinics offered
Valley Journal
The Lake County Public Health and CSKT Health Departments receive H1N1 vaccines on a weekly basis. Free walk-in clinics will be held on Tuesdays, 1-4 p.m. at Lake County Public Health in Polson and Tribal Health in Arlee, Elmo, Ronan and St. Ignatius.
The Health Departments will continue weekly clinics throughout the valley as vaccine availability allows.
Pregnant women, persons who live with or provide care for infants under six months of age, health care and emergency medical services personnel, persons six months to 24 years of age, and persons aged 25-64 years who have medical conditions that put them at a higher risk for influenza-related complications.
These medical conditions include...........
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Authorities identify body found near Big Arm in October
By Berl Tiskus
Valley Journal
BIG ARM — A body found in a wooded area near Walking Horse Lane on Oct. 22 has been identified as Lawrence Buston, 57, from Kalispell.
Cause of death was suicide according to Lieutenant Mike Sargeant, head of detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department.
Buston’s mother lives in the Big Arm area. She contacted Tribal Law and Order to report.......
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Family of special needs child seeks educational solutions
Kate Haake/Valley Journal
Nick Zorotovich shows off his bike-riding skills in his home outside of Charlo. Though he suffers from childhood schizophrenia, cognitive delay and mild mental retardation, Nick enjoys riding his bike and playing with his brothers like any other adolescent boy.
Valley Journal
CHARLO — Nick Zorotovich looks like a normal kid. With short blond hair and loose fitting jeans, he seems a little distant as he plays video games with his younger brothers, Quin and Sean. Other than an apparently reserved personality, there is not much on the outside that is noticeably different.
But throughout the years, the 13-year-old child has been diagnosed with everything from Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, Bipolar Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to Tourrette’s Syndrome and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
The most recent diagnosis classifies him with two types of childhood schizophrenia along with previous diagnoses of mild/moderate mental retardation and cognitive delay.
“It was the first time my wife and I said.......
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St. Ignatius educators plan coast-to-coast cycling fundraiser
 Melea Burke/Valley Journal
English teacher Tim Marchant is part of a team planning to bike across the country next summer for the Mission Scholarship Foundation.
By Melea Burke
Valley Journal
ST. IGNATIUS — Next summer, two members of the St. Ignatius School faculty will put their muscles where their mouths are in a transcontinental fundraising bike ride for the newly formed Mission Scholarship Foundation.
The rubber hits the road May 28, when Superintendent Gerry Nolan and high school English teacher Tim Marchant plan to take off by bicycle from the coastal town of Anacortes, Wash., on a 3,500-plus-mile trek to Bar Harbor, Maine. They’ll be joined by Nolan’s daughter Katie, who will graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in May, and her friend Mary Elmstrand. They’re asking for per-mile donations to build a scholarship fund to help more Mission High School graduates get a post-secondary education.
“Essentially what we’re trying to do is make it so more of our kids are able to go to college,” Nolan explained.
For most Mission students, the main obstacle to a college education is just getting a foot in the door, Nolan said.
“We live in a high-poverty area … if we can just get some of our.......
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Turkey Shoot draws a big crowd in Polson
Berl Tiskus/Valley Journal
George Brady lines up a shot at the Elks Turkey Shoot held on Nov. 21. Brady shot a 46 and a 49 to that round for a turkey.
By Berl Tiskus
Valley Journal
POLSON — You didn’t actually shoot a turkey at the Elks Turkey Shoot on Nov. 21. The turkeys were already frozen and ready to take home, and the only shooting was at targets using BB guns.
Exalted Ruler for the Mission Valley Elks Lodge #1695 Bob Byers said, “We gave away 200 turkeys and 120 bottles of wine.”
To get a chance to win a turkey or a bottle of wine, attendees purchased tickets to play games such as a dart throw, horseracing, dice, or bingo. Of course, one of the big draws was target shooting.
One visitor was George Brady from Pateros, Wash. Brady has come to the Charlo area to hunt deer and visit friends for about the last five years. Brady, who is involved with the kestrel box program, times his hunting trips so he can also take in the Elks Turkey Shoot.
With a grin, Brady said he “comes over to hunt and get turkeys.”.......
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RMS induces Christmas joy early with ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’
Kate Haake/Valley Journal
Ronan Middle School students presented the play, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” last weekend at the Ronan Performing Arts Center. By Kate Haake
Valley Journal
A gang of anxious Ronan Middle School students welcomed in the Christmas festivities a little early this year with their rendition of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”
“It was impeccable Saturday,” Director Rita Tingey said. “Saturday went off without a glitch.”
Brittney Mock starred as Mrs. Bradley in the comedic play as well as Emilee Starkel and Bradly Findly as Beth and Charlie Bradley respectively. Mr. Bradley was played by T. J. Webb.
The play tells the story of human nature during the Christmas season, and breaking down the walls of prejudice that hinder the true spirit of giving during the holidays.
When the responsibilities of the church’s Christmas pageant fall into the lap of......
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More news ...
‣ Crimestoppers seeks information on burglary
‣ LCCDC receives large grant
‣ Medicare election period begins, ends Dec. 31
‣ Spirited Griz, Cat fans keep rivalry alive for big game
‣ Tribes host Indian Business Development Expo Dec. 2
‣ Share The Spirit program seeks contributions, volunteers
‣ The key to picking the right wine is to include variety
‣ Man wins motorbike raffle on birthday
‣ Bison Range shifts to winter hours
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