Factoring in higher interest rates, the cost of Montana home ownership is more than twice what it was pre-pandemic.
By Eric Dietrich, Montana Free Press
Montana’s typical home value has increased by two-thirds in four years, according to new valuations published this month by the Montana Department of Revenue.
The department estimates that the median residential property in Montana was worth $378,000 as of the beginning of last year. Four years previously, before the state housing market blew up during the COVID-19 pandemic, the median value was $228,000 — meaning values have increased 66%.
The department’s valuations, produced every other year for the purpose of calculating property
Department of Revenue.
tax bills, are a somewhat delayed look at Montana’s real estate market.
The new figures represent the department’s effort to estimate market conditions as of Jan. 1, 2024.
However, because state law keeps sale prices for individual properties private, the tax valuation data is one of the most comprehensive measures available for the Montana
housing market at a time when housing affordability — and property tax bills — are major points of public concern.
The valuations indicate that the potential
market price for the median residential property statewide increased by 35% during the 2023 reappraisal cycle, which
SUMMER
accounted for shifts between 2020 and 2022, and then by another 22% with this year’s cycle.
The increases tabulated by the department generally align with data from other sources.
A Montana housing price index kept by real estate website Zillow, for example, estimates that the price of the typical Montana home rose by 61% between the start of 2020 and the start of 2024. Zillow’s typical home value estimates are higher than the state figures — $449,000 at the beginning of 2024 and $465,000 as of June.
Buying a median $228,000 home in 2020 with a 10% down payment and a mortgage at the then-average 3.5% interest rate would have required a housing payment of about $921 a month, excluding property taxes and insurance. Four years later, with that median home at $378,000 and interest rates at 6.6%, the monthly housing payment would be about $2,173 — 2.4 times as much.
In comparison, the per-capita personal income available to the average Montanan grew by 26% over the past four years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The average personal income as of 2024,
$67,625, is enough for a $1,700-a-month housing payment if no more than 30% of income is put toward housing expenses.
Montana elected officials have responded to concerns about rising home prices by passing a number of laws intended to encourage housing construction, in some cases by limiting the power of cities and counties to restrict new development over concerns such as parking availability.
properties being used as second homes.
The most expensive home prices are generally in and around Montana’s fast-growing urban centers. Gallatin County, around Bozeman, has the state’s most expensive median home value, at $685,000, according to the state data. That’s a 77% increase in four years.
Madison County (including both Ennis and portions of Big Sky) has the second-highest median value at $671,000, followed by Flathead County (Kalispell) at $578,000 and Missoula County at $507,000.
Southwest Montana counties that have historically had affordable housing markets saw the fastest value growth. The median values in three southwest Montana counties — Granite (Philipsburg), Deer Lodge (Anaconda) and Madison — have more than doubled in four years.
Flathead County also came close to the doubling threshold, with a 95% increase in prices bringing the county median to $578,000.
1 see page 9
On the property tax side, lawmakers also passed a major tax code rework this year that aims to address how higher values have
translated to higher taxes for homeowners and long-term rental landlords, ultimately
shifting much higher taxes to residential
Additionally, many rural plains counties in north-central and eastern Montana have also seen hefty increases in excess of 30% or 40%, according to the state data.
Fergus County, around Lewistown, for example, has seen its median home val -
Advertise here!
This Week’s Weather Forecast
The Valley Journal newspaper (PE 23-190) is published weekly by Valley Journal LLC. Periodicals postage paid at Ronan, MT.
Business hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Distribution is by mail subscription ($59 per year in Lake County, MT; $74 per year elsewhere in U.S.) and by newsstand sales. Postmaster: send address changes to Valley Journal, P.O. Box 326, Ronan, MT. 59864.
Your homegrown newspaper serves residents of Lake
County and the Flathead Indian Reservation.
Deadline for display advertising is 2 p.m. Thursday. Deadline for news submissions, calendar items, classifieds and legal advertising is noon Friday, for the following week’s newspaper.
News, letters to the editor and calendar submissions may be sent by email to: vjeditor@valleyjournal.net. Classified and legal advertisements requests should be emailed to: vjmail@valleyjournal.net.
All print subscriptions include full access to online news,
archives. Sign up online at: www.valleyjournal.net/ subscribe
For general inquiries: call 406-676-8989, email summer@valleyjournal.net, or send mail correspondence to P.O. Box 326, Ronan, MT 59864. Copyright 2025, the Valley Journal. All rights reserved. Reproduction, reuse or transmittal in any form or by any means is prohibited without written permission of the Valley Journal.
MARTY HENSEL PHOTO summer splendor
Montana WWAMI medical student embarks on transformative journey
Student in rural medicine in Ronan
News from Laura Tanis University of Washington Dept. of Education
RONAN - Dillon Demontiney, a dedicated medical student in the University of Washington School of Medicine’s (UWSOM’s) Montana WWAMI program, is immersing himself in the heart of Ronan from July 27 to Aug. 28, 2025, as part of the school’s Rural Underserved Opportunities Program (RUOP). Under the mentorship of Megan Vigil, MD, at St. Luke Community Healthcare, Dillon is poised to gain invaluable experience in a setting that highlights both the
challenges and rewards of primary care in rural communities.
Every summer, rising second-year students
interested in rural and underserved medicine participate in this unique four-week program. These aspiring physicians are placed in rural primary care clinics throughout Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho—collectively known as the WWAMI region—where they engage directly with communities that often face significant healthcare access issues.
This summer, 91 UWSOM students signed up for RUOP rotations. This is notable because evidence suggests that the RUOP program in-
Proud Community Partner
“We
- Winston Churchill
fluences students toward a primary care career. In the 2025 residency match, 54% of students participating in RUOP chose a residency in general internal medicine, family medicine, or pediatrics.
The RUOP experience is more than just a clinical rotation; it serves as a vital introduction to the realities of practicing medicine in less populated areas. Students not only hone their medical skills but also develop a deep appreciation for the importance of community service. As part of the program, Dillon will
undertake a public health service project aimed at making a meaningful impact on the local community while learning firsthand about the intricacies of public health.
Through this immersive journey, Dillon is not only preparing for a future in medicine but also embodying the spirit of service at the core of the UW School of Medicine’s mission.
For more information about the UW School of Medicine’s RUOP program, visit: https://education.uwmedicine.org/somrural/ programs/ruop/
Dillon Demontiney
Ninepipes Museum receives ‘Spark Good’ local grant
News from the Ninepipes Museum
NINEPIPES — Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana would like to thank Polson Walmart and manager Dave Tolley for awarding a $2000 “Spark Good” local grant to the museum at their grand re-opening on July 18. The grant will help fund cross-cultural sharing and cultivate community connections through storytelling and
This year’s wildfire season has been chill so far. Why?
Even in the midst of a widening, deepening drought, far fewer acres have burned in Montana than land managers anticipated. But things could change soon.
By by Leigh Walden, Montana Free Press
The fire season in Montana this year was supposed to be intense. At the governor’s 2025 fire season briefing in early June, a predictive meteorologist cautioned that the state’s multi-year drought, expected hot temperatures and anticipated dry conditions could paint a grim picture for fires this summer.
Some of the state’s recent afternoon thunderstorms have hit — with surprising accuracy — areas that need moisture the most.
“We’ve kind of surgically inserted the moisture into these different locations, which were looking to be developing hotspots,” he said. “This rain just keeps putting that potential at bay.”
Still, Montana’s fire season historically picks up in late July and August. Last week Cory Calnan, acting Fire Protection Bureau chief for the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, told the Montana Drought and Water Supply Advisory Committee that the upcoming conditions are “stacking up to be a challenging fire season.”
Calnan said. Dry, overgrown forests remain a significant concern for fires across the state this season.
Fire agencies throughout the state are also keeping an eye on firefighting efforts across the country to assess the availability of firefighters, airplanes, helicopters and other fire suppression resources.
“The Northern Rockies geographic area, and specifically Montana, tend to come into peak fire season later than many other parts of the western U.S.,” Calnan wrote in a recent email to the Montana Free Press. “If those areas are already stretched thin, it may become more difficult to bring in additional support for Montana. Keeping an eye on regional trends helps us stay ahead of potential challenges.”
art activities for children and cultural presentations for schools, the Flathead Reservation Boys & Girls Club, and groups of all ages interested in the cultural history of our region. The program goal is to facilitate multi-generational sharing and learning of Flathead Reservation life, culture, and history from its many perspectives.
Thank you, Spark Good, for supporting cultural history in your local communities.
However, despite a similar number of fire starts relative to last year (1,116 on July 21, 2025, as compared to 1,069 by July 21, 2024), fires this summer have burned fewer acres. Last year, nearly 92,000 acres had burned across the state by July 21. This year, that figure is just shy of 17,000 acres, which represents an 80% reduction.
According to Dan Borsum, the predictive meteorologist for the Northern Rockies Coordination Center, precipitation-laden storms from the Northwest are responsible for much of that decrease.
“ They’ve been moisture-producers,” Borsum said in a recent interview. “ It certainly has caused the landscape to trend a little bit less favorable towards fire activity.”
One contributing factor is anticipated hot weather. Borsum said Montanans can expect higher temperatures this weekend and onward. Calnan said these warming conditions and potential reduction in rainfall could increase the fire risk for central and eastern Montana in particular.
“We wholly expect that part of the state to become more active in the fire game,” he said at the July 16 drought meeting.
Montana’s persistent drought also favors increased fire activity. As of July 15, 66% of the state is experiencing drought and another 12% is abnormally dry, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Recent rainfall, though good for hampering wildfires, hasn’t improved drought conditions much.
These rains have “really helped in the live, grassy, herbaceous fuels and in keeping those green … but the real heavy fuels that we’re concerned about, mostly in our timber, are not in good shape,”
Other states across the West, such as California, Utah, and Arizona, have been busy battling major conflagrations as dry, windy weather takes hold. Still, Montana might continue to benefit from wet conditions for at least a few more days.
“As we go into this weekend, into the month of August, it looks like we will see the temperatures turn hotter. However, the pattern does look like it’s gonna have a fair amount of moisture,” Borsum said.
This precipitation will continue to keep overnight humidity high and grassy vegetation wet. But it’s hard to know how long this moisture will persist, Borsum cautioned.The warmth and dryness of August and September, paired with potential fire starts from abandoned campfires, agricultural harvesting and related equipment fire triggers, give the 2025 fire outlook ongoing potential for large burns.
COURTESY PHOTO
Polson Walmart Manager Dave Tolley presents a $2000 Spark Good Local Grant award to Ninepipes Museum Board Member Laura Sharp.
Montanans encouraged to support youth at county fairs
EAST HELENA — Governor Greg Gianforte recently visited with Lewis and Clark County 4-H members in East Helena to learn more about the projects of the Last Chance Livestock club that are set to be shown at the county fair later this summer.
Meeting with members Emma and Kyla and their fellow 4-H members, the governor heard about their projects in agriculture, livestock, and leadership.
“Emma, Kyla, and their fellow 4-H members are doing incredible work,” Gov. Gianforte said. “They’re learning responsibility, developing confidence, and staying connected to the values that make Montana strong. Programs like 4-H help raise the next generation of leaders and I’m glad to support them.”
During a visit just outside of East Helena, the governor heard directly from 4-H youth
about their work raising animals, completing community projects, and building skills that will serve them for a lifetime.
Emma, a member of the Last Chance Livestock club, shared her experience with the governor, “I like 4-H because I get to learn new things and I
can use it in real life. It means a lot that the governor came out to see our pigs, and we appreciate his support!”
Her sister, Kyla, added, “I love 4-H because it has taught me hard work and responsibility. It’s also taught me how to speak in front of people and come out of my comfort zone.
Having the governor out was very exciting and special. We really appreciate the support!”
Concluding the visit, the governor encouraged Montanans to get out and support 4-H youth across the state this summer by attending local county fairs.
“Whether you’re in the stands at the show ring or raising a paddle at the livestock auction, show up for these kids,” the governor said. “Your support matters and it keeps our rural traditions alive.”
Each summer, thousands of Montana youth take part in local fairs to showcase their hard work, connect with community members, and help strengthen the state’s number one industry, agriculture. Review the list of upcoming county fairs where Montanans can support 4-H youth and enjoy local events:
Wheatland County Fair –
July 30-Aug. 1, Harlowton
Mineral County Fair – July 31-Aug. 2, Superior
Butte Silver Bow County Fair – July 31-Aug. 2, Butte Phillips County Fair – July 31-Aug. 3, Dodson Prairie County Fair – Aug. 1-3, Terry
The school year is quickly approaching. Don’t forget to bring your child in for their summer well child check so they’re ready for the school year. These comprehensive visits are offered at no cost to you and help monitor your child’s overall health and well-being. If your student athlete also completes a sports physical during their well child check, St. Luke will donate $25 to their school's athletic booster club this fall!
News from the office of Governor Gianforte
COURTESY PHOTO
Gov. and First Lady Gianforte with 4-H members Kyla (left) and Emma (right) in East Helena.
county fairs
from page 7
McCone County Fair
– Aug. 13-16, Circle Chouteau County Fair
Aug. 13-17, Fort Benton
Custer County Fair – Aug. 2023, Miles City Lincoln County Fair – Aug. 20-24, Eureka Jefferson County Fair – Aug. 20-24, Boulder Wibaux County Fair –Aug. 20-24, Wibaux Park County Fair – Aug. 2128, Livingston Ravalli County Fair – Aug. 27-30, Hamilton Sanders County Fair – Aug. 28-31, Plains Beaverhead County Fair –Aug. 28-Sept. 1, Dillon
For more information about your local county fair or how to support 4-H youth, visit: montana4h.orgor contact your county extension office.
Mission West launches Walkability Plan for Ronan: public input needed
News from MWCD
RONAN — Mission West Community Development Partners is excited to announce the launch of a new Walkability Plan to help make Ronan a more connected place to live, work, and play. This planning effort will focus on improving paths for pedestrians and bicyclists. The public’s input is needed to help shape this initiative.
This plan aims to
make streets safer for kids, seniors, and everyone in between. It’s about building new connections in the community, reducing gaps, improve existing paths, and increasing opportunities for outdoor exercise.
“Feedback from people who walk these streets every day is crucial to the design process,” said Taylor Lennox, Community Economic Development Program Manager at Mission West Com-
munity Development Partners. “They know best and that community guidance will drive the plan’s priorities.”
How to Get Involved:
- Take Our Survey: Share your thoughts and help shape priorities for future improvements. As a thank-you, survey participants will be entered into a drawing for a $50 Visa gift card.
- Join a Walkability Committee meeting: Help guide the project by attending a series of
community meetings. All meetings are held at Mission West Community Development Partners in the upstairs conference room at 407 Main St. SW Ronan.
• Meeting 2: Wednesday, Aug. 20, from 2-3 p.m.
• Meeting 3: Wednesday, Sept. 17 from 2-3 p.m.
- Use the Interactive Comment Map: Drop pins, share ideas, and point out problem areas on an easy-to-use
Gallatin College MSU launches hospitality program
The 30-credit certificate will prepare students for fields ranging from hotel management to culinary arts.
Family Foundation, we are proud to support one of the largest industries in our state by offering education and training, as well as a steppingstone to four-year hospitality programs at MSU,” said Stephanie Gray, dean of the college.
- July 30, 2025
vj
BOZEMAN — Nearly 14 million people visited Montana in 2024. They spent $5 billion exploring national parks, riding through dude ranches and sampling menus at mountaintop resorts.
Starting in August, Gallatin College Montana State University will train students to house, guide and feed the state’s tourists and other travelers with a oneyear hospitality certificate. The certificate provides baseline knowledge of business communication, culinary arts, hotel management and more, said program manager Meredith Allen.
The program received $1 million in funding from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, which also supported plans to construct a new Gallatin College MSU building on the MSU campus.
“In partnership with the Arthur M. Blank
The hospitality program is a collaborative effort between Gallatin College MSU, the Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship and the College of Education, Health and Human Development. Gallatin College MSU students in hospitality or culinary arts programs will take classes alongside MSU students and can count their credits toward a four-year hospitality management degree, with options in hospitality business and sustainable hospitality.
“We all have the same goal, and that’s creating and being a part of a thriving hospitality industry in Montana that’s led by Montanans,” said Allen, who has worked for ranches, hotels and restaurants across the U.S. for more than 20 years.
Students can work for Montana organizations through the program’s internship requirement, which is completed as a semester-long course. Allen said it will be much easier for students to integrate with a team after graduation “if they’re speaking the same language from day one.”
online map available at: ronantourismgrant.com/ comment- map - Stay in the Loop: Subscribe to project updates via email or text. Text RONAN to 844-764-2126 or email Taylor Lennox at taylor. lennox@missionwestcdp. org to sign up. For more information and updates, visit: ronantourismgrant. com/walkability-2025 or follow Mission West on Facebook @MissionWestCDP.
Communication between staff members and upper management is a central component of the program’s courses, such as the hospitality supervision and customer service class taught by Celeste Carducci, an adjunct professor in the College of Education, Health and Human Development. She has instructed the class for two years at MSU and said she is excited to share her love of the industry with incoming Gallatin College and MSU students.
“The hospitality industry has all these different forms of communication, and we try to fine-tune students’ skills so they can discover what type of learners they really are,” she said.
Carducci spent more than 35 years in the hospitality field, including working with the hotel chain Marriott in Washington, D.C., and starting her own bed and breakfast in Napa Valley, California.
In her hospitality course, students’ experiences run the gamut as well. They will tackle case studies about solving conflicts between staff members, calculating labor costs for a hotel and planning a holiday dinner menu.
“We’re encouraging students to explore a world beyond the front desk, and we’re shaping employees who industry members will be proud to work alongside,” Allen said.
News from Frankie Beer, MSU News Service
ue increase by 82% in four years, to $242,000. Custer County, around Miles City, has seen a 44% increase, to $194,000.
During the first of the two COVID-era reappraisal cycles, growth was especially focused on western Montana. Some eastern Montana counties, such as Daniels (Scobey), Sheridan (Plentywood) and Roosevelt (Wolf Point) in the state’s northeast corner, actually posted modest value declines.
By the time numbers were tabulated for this year’s cycle, however, higher prices had come to eastern Montana. Daniels County, for example, shifted from an 8% decline to a 36% increase.
Additionally, 30%-plus growth sustained across both cycles in much of western Montana, particularly counties in the state’s northwest corner. Lincoln County, around Libby, for example, saw a 41% increase followed by a 31% one, bringing its median value up from $177,000 to $324,000.
Broadband investment to close digital divide authorized
News from Mountain States Policy Center
Public dollars should always be spent wisely and efficiently, especially on infrastructure that touches nearly every home, school, and business. That’s why Montana Governor Gianforte is happy to see President Trump’s move to slash red tape in the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.
In June, Governor Gianforte praised the new federal guidelines that eliminate “needless obstacles” that the previous administration had put in place. This policy shift makes it easier for Montana to use its $629 million in BEAD funds more efficiently and effectively, particularly in the state’s unserved and underserved areas.
Congress established the
BEAD program in 2021, marking it as the biggest broadband investment in the history of the United States. It was supposed to offer states the resources and tools they need to close the digital divide. However, for many states, the path was stifled by federal regulations that often limited flexibility and proved an obstacle to controlling costs. In Montana, that has translated to longer timelines, higher prices, and fewer local solutions.
That’s changing now. Montana and other states are no longer required to favor only one type of broadband technology, whether it be fiber, cellular, or wireless, under new “Benefit of the Bargain” guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Rather, they are directed to explore all alternative technologies, such as wireless, satellite,
and fixed-wireline technology. This tech-neutral approach allows states to concentrate on outcomes.
As Governor Gianforte observed, with this reform, “...the Montana Broadband Office can now get the right technology at the best price to implement this historic investment...” That kind of flexibility is essential in a state with challenging geography and vast distances between communities.
Getting rid of onerous rules does not mean getting rid of accountability. It is allowing states to design broadband solutions that fit their communities, avoiding one-size-fits-all mandates from Washington, D.C. This plan will help allow the dollars for broadband to go further and flow faster. It also provides an example for other
states that are going through their implementation of BEAD. Getting rid of federal red tape is a good start. Freeing states up to make the best decisions for their communities most efficiently and effectively is how we will best close the digital divide. Montana’s efforts are on track with many of the key principles promoted by Mountain States Policy Center. As states receive billions in BEAD dollars and other federal broadband grants, it’s crucial they resist the temptation to build government-owned networks or adopt one-size-fits-all models pushed by Washington, D.C. Instead, policymakers should focus on tech-neutral, market-driven solutions that encourage innovation, foster private-sector competition, and avoid long-term public liabilities.
COURTESY PHOTO
Governor Gianforte, seated beside Director of Administration
Misty Ann Giles, signs a letter authorizing the investment of over $309 million to expand broadband access.
valley views
The powers that be: anger and kindness
Emotions are powerful forces within each of us. They can impact our day, our year - perhaps even our life. How we feel about something influences our reactions to it. How we feel dictates our response to the world, the environment.
Slices of Life
Jill Pertler Syndicated columnist
And by and large all of this is beyond our control, correct? Maybe so, maybe not.
What if our feelings were within our control? What a superpower that would be.
What a superpower it is!
I spent most of my life not realizing this. I drifted in and out of positivity and negativity without understanding why. I still don’t completely understand, but I’ve contemplated it quite a bit and want to share with you.
Having said that, I believe you already know these truths, in your heart.
Think about a time you were really angry; we’ll all been there. Anger is instantaneously followed by a surge of adrenaline. It can burn slowly or ignite in an instant. Whether the anger is warranted or not doesn’t really matter. Being right doesn’t matter. Anger ignites a fire in us that leaves us… tired. Even if we are 100 percent right in our anger, the righteous indignation doesn’t fuel our soul. It leaves us empty. Because you can’t fuel the soul at the expense of another soul. That’s wired into our DNA. An adrenaline rush may heighten your abilities, making you feel invincible. You heart may race. You may feel excited. Nervous. Anxious. This heightened awareness can last up to about an hour and then you are spent.
After the rush, you might experience fatigue,
irritability, dizziness, nausea, chest pain and shortness of breath. You might even have trouble sleeping.
All of this, because of anger. Being angry only makes you feel worse than before you were angry. Seems rather like a waste of time and energy.
In that, let’s flip the coin, to something completely devoid of anger: kindness.
Like anger, kindness poses real physical repercussions to our physical being.
Unlike the adrenaline rush often caused by anger, kindness has no time limit, and it’s benefits claim the same. They include increased empathy, compassion, self-esteem, improved mood and decreased stress.
All those positive outcomes happen because kindness can stimulate the production of a hormone called oxytocin.
Oxytocin is linked to feelings of connection, bonding, and trust. The
Public lands need active management
Now that wildfire season is here, the elk rut is only two months away and the Big Beautiful Bill has been signed into law by President Trump without any public land sales. What needs to happen with our federal public lands in Montana
is active management. Unmanaged, dying, and fireprone forests create multiple problems for everyone. Timber mills continue to close along with the high-paying, blue-collar rural jobs and a substantial amount of property tax revenue they pro-
release of oxytocin leads to a cascade of positive effects like reduced stress, lower blood pressure and improved cardiovascular health.
In fact, studies have shown that repeated oxytocin exposure can lead to sustained effects. The more kindness you experience the better off you’ll be. Kindness builds upon itself!
But hold on, because it gets even better.
Within a kindness interaction one might think the person being kind would benefit from an oxytocin surge, and this is true. But it’s been shown that the receiver also experiences increased levels of oxytocin. And, the overall goodness doesn’t stop there. You don’t have to personally participate in acts of kindness to benefit from them. Simply witnessing someone else being kind can trigger the production of oxytocin.
Talk about a win-win-
win situation.
It’s almost like kindness and anger, both emotional states, have opposing effects on our physical bodies - because they do. Go figure.
So, with that knowledge, how can we pump up our chances of fueling a positive surge of oxytocin?
The takeaway is obvious: cultivate kindness while avoiding anger. Easier said than done in our current state of affairs. (But let’s not get political, shall we?)
It’s a lesson we all learned in kindergarten. Avoid the negative and cultivate the positivethrough kindness. It’s as simple and as obvious as that. Find what makes you happy and pursue that. Find what makes you angry and avoid that. Make yourself the recipient of kindness.
And the best way to be the recipient of kindness in your life is to first create it yourself. So simple.
Almost like a kinder-
gartner could understand it.
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. 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.
In addition to providing poor wildlife habitat, unhealthy forests
see page 11
vide. Overgrown habitat drives elk onto private land and reduces elk numbers, frustrating hunters and landowners alike. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) is raising awareness about the need to manage forests for these reasons. Montana FWP has likewise highlighted the need to restore quality elk habitat in places like my home in Northwestern Montana.
Opinions expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the newspaper.
Legislative Notes
have minimal scenic or recreational value, do not generate forest jobs or tax revenue, and fuel high intensity fires, destroying our air quality, making home insurance more expensive, and filling our cherished clear water trout streams with sediment. These intensifying negative consequences result from mandated idle Montana Federal lands.
The following highlight efforts already done to address these problems.
The 2025 Legislature passed a series of wildfire bills, including requiring insurance companies to transparently disclose what factors make up their wildfire risk scores (HB 533), requiring energy companies to follow wildfire mitigation plans while providing liability protections (HB 490), and improving policies surrounding prescribed fires (HB 84). The 2023 Legislature
also passed SB 3 reducing timber production taxes, making them more equitable.
Governor Greg Gianforte recently signed a major agreement with the Forest Service significantly increasing the state role in actively managing hundreds of thousands more acres of national forests with the federal government.
Insurance Commissioner James Brown issued a memo reminding insurance companies that it is not legal to cancel homeowner insurance policies without justifying explicit wildfire risk.
In Congress, Senator Steve Daines has championed reforms on mandatory timber sales, reining in frivolous litigation, increasing pay for wildland firefighters, reducing bureaucratic red tape and more. Senator Tim Sheehy is supporting Daines in these efforts while utilizing his unique experience as an aerial wild land firefighter to improve federal
wildfire policy.
Despite these efforts from Montana Republicans at every level of government, lawsuits from radical environmentalists and a stifling mountain of federal bureaucratic regulations are two of the biggest remaining obstacles to restoring healthy, productive forests.
It’s time for everyone— hunters, recreationists, conservationists, homeowners, tradesmen, and the forest industry—to unite and continue pushing for reforms that get forests back working for us instead of against us. Now is the time with a motivated federal administration to make a positive change. Students at Libby High School have for generations been known as the “Libby Loggers.” Only an extreme minority would rather they be called the “Libby Lawyers.”
Properly managed public lands are a win for everyone - humans, wildlife, business, recreation, the list goes on. Let’s restore healthy, managed Montana federal forests.
We must not remain silent
Editor,
Several years ago, I visited the Holocaust Museum in Washinton DC. Upon exiting the museum there was a poem on the wall that brought me to tears. I want to share that poem with you. But first let me tell you about the man who wrote that poem.
Martin Niemoller, the author of the poem was a Lutheran Pastor in Germany in the 1920s and 30s. He openly supported the Nazi party and sympathized with many Nazi ideas and supported radical right wing political movements. He welcomed Hitler’s accession to power in 1933. He had been complicit through his silence with the early Nazi persecution and imprisonment of communists and political opponents of the regime. Only until Hitler began to interfere
in the Protestant Church and its leadership, did he begin to speak out. By 1937 he was openly defying Hitler and the Nazi Regime. He was imprisoned by the Nazi Régime in 1937 on charges of misusing the pulpit for political reasons and sent to a concentration camp where he remained until 1945.
Here is his poem: FIRST THEY CAME
First, they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist see page 12
Sen. Matt Regier, SD 5 President, MT Senate
Big Beautiful Bill is a win for Montana
President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill is a tremendous win for Montana. It will spur economic growth, strengthen border security as well as expand Montana’s energy sector and provide much-needed funding for our military. And thanks to the diligent work of the entire Montana congressional delegation, we defeated attempts to sell our public lands.
Nearly every Montanan will feel the economic benefits of this law, which builds on the success of the historic 2017 Trump tax cuts that led to higher economic growth, increased wages, and more jobs. Had Congress failed to pass the Big Beautiful Bill, those tax cuts would have expired, leaving the American people with a $4.5 trillion tax hike, one of the largest in American history.
Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we prevented this
outcome and delivered tax relief for the American people that will save the average Montana family $3,000 next year. We also give seniors the largest tax break in history.
Nearly 90 percent of seniors who receive Social Security will not pay any taxes on their benefits.
I was also proud to lead the charge to stop the tax on tips, which will help those working in Montana’s service industry and I fought for a permanent increase of the death tax exemption, which will protect our family-owned farms and ranches.
Montana’s energy sector will also benefit, thanks to my provision that keeps the Bull Mountains Mine near Roundup open. The mine, which President Biden tried to shut down, is the lifeblood of Musselshell County and provides high-paying jobs and an economic boost to the community.
from page 11
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me.
We must not remain silent. We must speak out now before there is no one to speak out against the tyranny we are witnessing today.
Gerry Browning Polson
In addition, the Big Beautiful Bill included my “Supporting Made in America Energy Act,” which supports oil and gas production in Montana. I was also able to add a requirement for timber sales on Forest Service and BLM land, which will expand timber production, support Montana’s logging jobs, and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Also included is my bill to reauthorize and fully fund the Voluntary Access and Habitat Incentive Program to increase conservation efforts and expand access for Montana hunters.
The law also includes a win for the Second Amendment by eliminating the unconstitutional $200 excise tax on suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns. I am proud to have helped lead the effort to end this 90-year burden on Montana gun owners. Unfortunately, Democrats and their allies in the media are spreading lies that we cut Medicaid and food assistance benefits for the poor and needy.
Nothing could be further from the truth-we are simply cutting waste and abuse from these programs in order to strengthen them and ensure they are available for those most in need.
If Democrats had their way, they would force taxpayers to continue to fund Medicaid benefits to more than one million illegal immigrants and to nearly five million able-bodied adults who are not working or even seeking a job. In addition, a recent report from the federal government showed nearly three million people are enrolled in two taxpayer-funded health care plans, which cost taxpayers $14 billion each year.
Democrat claims that pregnant women in poverty and disabled children will suffer as a result of our reforms are not true either. All that is required in order to stay on Medicaid is for able-bodied adults to complete just 20 hours of work, education, job training or even volunteering each week.
Claims that we’re cutting funding are also false. Spending
on Medicaid has risen 60 percent since 2019. The law simply slows this rate of growth. Only in Washington, D.C. can a slower increase in funding be called a cut, but that is the logic of the Left. In addition, to ensure our rural populations get the care they need, the bill sets aside a $50 billion fund for our rural hospitals, protects rural nursing homes, and expands telehealth access for rural Montanans.
Similarly, when it comes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides food assistance for needy families, we strengthen work requirements and exempt those who are 65 and older as well as those with disabilities. This is another commonsense measure to reduce wasteful federal spending and ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively.
Montanans across our state will be better off because of the Big Beautiful Bill. Our communities will be safer and our families will be stronger.
Iwriteto inform Montanans about the real impact of House Bill 231, the property tax bill that recently became law. While marketed as “property tax relief,” this legislation creates a massive tax shift that will significantly increase the burden on our agricultural community.
Legislative Notes
Sen. Bob Phalen, R-SD17
During legislative debate, we attempted to highlight a critical flaw in this bill that
supporters ignored: Montana’s floating mill system means this isn’t tax relief— it’s tax redistribution. When residential and small commercial properties receive rate cuts while agricultural land rates remain unchanged, local governments must raise mill levies to maintain their budgets. Agricultural landowners will pay these higher mill levies with no offset-
ting rate relief.
Here’s the math: If residential properties that previously contributed 60% of local tax revenue now contribute only 45% due to rate cuts, agricultural properties must make up that 15% difference through higher mill levies. A farm worth $1 million could see tax increases of 25-30% or more, despite no change to agricultural tax rates. This creates clear winners and losers.
see page 13
U.S. Senator Steve Daines
Residential property owners—especially in urban and suburban areas—win big with rate cuts up to 77%. Small businesses also benefit with commercial rate reductions. But agricultural landowners lose significantly, facing substantial tax increases to subsidize these cuts.
The economic implications are troubling. Montana’s farmers and ranchers already compete in challenging global markets with thin profit margins. Adding thousands of dollars in annual property tax increases threatens their viability. Family farms considering succession will face higher carrying costs. Agricultural businesses—from equipment dealers to grain elevators—will see their tax burdens jump.
This policy fundamentally alters Montana’s tax landscape, creating incentives to convert agricultural land to residential development and disadvantaging our rural communities. It’s a rural-to-urban wealth transfer disguised as tax relief.
Montana’s economy depends on agriculture—it’s our largest industry, employing over 60,000 people and generating billions in economic activity. Yet this bill treats agricultural landowners as a revenue source to fund tax cuts for others.
I fought against this bill because I knew it would harm agricultural Montana. The floating mill system makes tax cuts for some property classes impossible without tax increases for others. We should have crafted genuine tax relief that didn’t pit different sectors against each other.
Agricultural landowners will see their tax bills arrive soon and wonder why their taxes increased while their neighbors’ decreased. They deserve to know this was the predictable result of HB 231’s flawed design.
Montana’s agricultural community deserves better than being the hidden funding source for others’ tax relief. We must find ways to provide real property tax relief that doesn’t sacrifice our state’s most important economic sector.
US Congress can stop genocide – why won’t they?
Gaza is being starved – deliberately, with cruel intention and shocking inhumanity.
The photos of skeletal children haunt me. At night when I close my eyes. At dawn when I rise. They should haunt us all – along with the unfathomable suffering the families of Gaza have endured over nearly two years of relentless bombings, forced relocation, war crimes, destruction of hospitals, targeting of doctors, ambulance drivers, and reporters.
These months of Israeli-caused famine are worsening the nightmare Palestinians have been desperately trying to survive.
Food and medical supplies are available, plentiful, and poised on the border waiting to go in. Israel, however, has set up a blockade of humanitarian relief and refuses to let more than a small, insufficient amount enter the area. When Israel does allow a few trucks in, Gazans are often corralled into fenced areas, and shot at. Over 1,000 people have been killed at aid centers in the past three months – simply for trying to get food or medical attention.
It is not just Israelis committing these horrors – US contractors are guilty of this atrocity, too. In
addition, our government pays for the bullets, bombs, military equipment, and surveillance technology – we sent more than $17 billion to Israel in 2024. This genocide is our tax dollars at work.
Our legislators –and our president - have the power to end our complicity in this horror. They are able to pressure Israel into reversing course by introducing a bill tomorrow to end all military – and other – aid to Israel unless the blockade is lifted, humanitarian relief is allowed into Gaza, and the human rights violation and war crimes cease.
We have to ask: if the United States has the power to stop a genocide, why won’t we?
By ending military aid, the United States has stopped a genocide before. In the late 1990s, Indonesia had been engaged in a brutal genocide in East Timor for over two decades. Hundreds of thousands of East Timorese had been killed - nearly one third of the population. As international campaigns protested around the world, a phone banking effort in the United States pressured Congress and the White House to act. In 1997, the Clinton administration cut off all
military aid to Indonesia. Five months later, facing a mass movement of Indonesians and no support from the US, the Suharto regime crumbled. The genocide ceased within six months and East Timor won full independence by 2002.
If it is in our power to act, we must. Our nation’s position on Israel’s brutal assault on Gaza is unconscionable. The track record of inexcusable crimes has been clear for over a year – as has the preceding apartheid, illegal settlements, brutal occupation, and human rights abuses that have gone on for far longer.
There is no excuse for continuing to send billions of tax dollars to
a genocidal regime engaged in forced starvation of two million people. More than 59,000 people have already been killed, 140,000 injured, the entire population displaced, and their homes reduced to rubble.
How many more must die of forced starvation?
The ghosts of Gaza will haunt us for centuries to come - unless we act now.
Rivera Sun, syndicated by PeaceVoice, has written numerous books, including The Dandelion Insurrection and the award-winning Ari Ara Series. She is the editor of Nonviolence News, Program Coordinator for Campaign Nonviolence, and a nationwide trainer in strategy for nonviolent campaigns.
Support Local
https://donorbox.org/montana-newspaper-foundation-charitable-giving. print and digital journalism to ensure a vibrant future for Montana’s newspaper enterprises and champions the value of a free press.
Peace Voice
Rivera Sun, syndicated columnist
obituaries
Elizabeth Preston
RONAN — Elizabeth Hildreth Cummings Preston, 99, died from natural causes on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at St. Luke Extended Care Facility in Ronan, with her family by her side. Beth was born June 14, 1926, in Sidney, Montana, the daughter of Rial Wilson Cummings and Gladys Evangeline (Wheeler) Cummings. Her father, the school superintendent in the nearby prairie community of Lambert, and her mother, a homemaker and artist, always encouraged Beth and her two brothers to widen their horizons.
Beth’s long and fruitful life was devoted first to service and secondly to adventure. She was a pillar of the Ronan community for decades, serving on many civic and non-profit boards. Beth and her husband Jay modeled a life of commitment to the greater good, and their example has inspired many.
In 1940, the family moved to Plains, where Beth graduated from high school. She enrolled in the Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II and trained as a nurse in Great Falls. After World War II ended, she earned her BS in nursing from Montana State College in Bozeman. She first met Jay Preston, an engineering student from Hot Springs, while a student at Bozeman.
Beth moved to the East Coast with a close girlfriend and fellow nurse. She worked as a nurse and taught nursing in Boston and New York City until her late twenties. During these years, she became reacquainted with Jay, while he was in the Air Force in Rome, New York. Beth left her East Coast nursing career and moved back to Montana, and she and Jay were married in Plains
Beth wore many hats during her extraordinary life. Her roles included that of wife, mother, grandmother, nurse, businesswoman, friend, teacher, philanthropist for local causes, and world-traveler. People were naturally drawn to Beth’s sharp mind, humor and generosity. She lived by the credo of inclusiveness, and she was gracious and generous in a very down-to-earth manner. One family friend wrote, “To me she was the epitome of grace and kindness.”
on Feb. 14, 1954, beginning a close partnership in all things that lasted for 65 years.
In the first years of their marriage, Beth and Jay lived in Seattle and both worked at Boeing. Beth loved her career of nursing but found the work at Boeing to be less satisfying. She described the job as a lot of down time waiting to hand out an aspirin or bandage a finger. After two years, they moved to Missoula where Jay became the general manager of the Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative. Beth and Jay built the first of three houses together and started their family.
Jay Wilson and Elizabeth Ann were both born in Missoula, and Judith Garnet was born right after the family moved to Ronan.
In 1960, Beth and Jay purchased the Ronan Telephone Company. With Beth’s parents, older brother Rial and his wife Rhoda, Beth and Jay purchased lakeshore property on the west shore of Flathead Lake and built the “Lakehouse.” It became and remains the center of gravity for the Preston and Cummings clan.
Beth was a progressive force within the Ronan Telephone Company. She made sure that all female customers were listed on telephone bills so that the women could also build their own credit history. Over the years, Beth worked to protect and defend the role of women in the corporation. She promoted pay equity for male and female employees and persistently lobbied for women to have equal chances for promotion within the company. Together, Beth and Jay made the Ronan Telephone Company a mainstay in the city of Ronan.
Beth was always civic-minded. She served as a board member for St. Luke Hospital and was President of the Ronan Chamber of Commerce. Beth raised money to build the Ronan Community Center, and she was a generous donor and volunteer at both Safe Harbor and the Bread Basket Food Bank. In 1976, Beth and Jay were leaders in a community drive to raise $600,000 to build the Extended Care Facility attached to the Ronan hospital, where they both spent the last years of their lives.
Adventure was central to Beth and Jay’s life together. As newlyweds,
they worked together to restore a small private airplane. The family flew the plane all over the country. Family life in Montana always included outdoor activities, including sailing, swimming, water skiing and snow skiing. Many of Beth’s happiest times were spent with crowds of family and friends at the Lakehouse. Beth had a joyous and exuberant laugh that will be greatly missed at crowded dinners at the Lakehouse, picking huckleberries in the mountains, or playing charades with eager children.
In later years, Beth and Jay frequently made international trips, ultimately visiting six continents. They always traveled with a group of family or friends, combining the richness of learning about other lands and cultures with the opportunity to reconnect with dear friends.
The family would like to thank all the staff of St. Luke Extended Care for their professionalism, loving care and support. This exceptional facility provided a home for the final three years of Beth’s life, and four years of Jay’s life.
A memorial service celebrating Beth’s life will be held on Friday, Aug. 1, at 3 p.m. It will take place at The Mission Valley United Methodist Church on Highway 93, just south of Ninepipe Lodge, 70715 US Hwy. 93, St. Ignatius.
Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at: www. lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.
Arrangements are under the care of the Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
more obituaries on page 15
Beth was preceded in death by her parents, Rial and Gladys Cummings; her older brother, Rial; sisters-in-law, Rhoda, Gerry and Phyllis; and her husband Jay, who passed in 2019. She is survived by her younger brother, Dean; and her three children, Jay (Cynthie) Preston, Elizabeth Preston, Ph.D., and Judy Preston (Anais Starr). She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Matthew (Savannah) Preston, David Preston and Ezra Preston; Nathan (Dana) Cantlon and Zac (Jessica) Cantlon; Katy Lee (Anshil Popli) and Jayson Lee; Patricia Johnson, and Lorien Johnson; as well as seven great-grandchildren: Isaac, Toby and Elise Cantlon; Evan and Hailey Hendrickson; Christopher Van Gunten and Oakley Charette, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
Elizabeth Preston
Elizabeth Preston
Obituaries
cont’d from page 14
William Lambson
POLSON — An affinity with water flowed through William Owen Lambson’s life, from his childhood in Lexington, Kentucky, to his death July 7, 2025, at his home near the edge of Flathead Lake.
earned a master’s degree from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Phoenix and began a career in international business, working first for Cadence Design Systems as senior treasury manager, and then with Adobe, as the software giant’s director of global payments and treasury.
in 2003. They later divorced, and William moved to Polson in 2020, following nearly a decade of health challenges that eventually led to a diagnosis of epilepsy. Although he stepped away from corporate finance, he continued to provide advice and support to young entrepreneurs and start-ups.
Koocanusa to snorkeling in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico and Honduras, or immersing themselves in the cityscapes of New York and Amsterdam. They always sought places, food and experiences that were off the beaten path.
He was born Oct. 13, 1962, in New Orleans to Theodora Niemeyer Lambson and Roger Lambson, the youngest of three children. His siblings and parents were serious, high achievers.
“He taught us to play,” says his mom.
She recalls that by the time he was old enough to take swimming lessons, he headed for the diving board. For him, swimming was just a means to reach the side of the pool and dive in again.
He competed in diving and swimming in his early years, and diving and water polo throughout high school and at the University of Kentucky. While attending UK, he also discovered a second passion: business and the intricacies of financial management.
After working at the Bank of Missouri, he
The family settled in San Jose, California, but his employment with Adobe gave them the opportunity to live in Amsterdam and Dublin, where they immersed themselves in European culture, history and, in Holland, Dutch family connections. They eventually settled in Lake Oswego, Oregon, where he was employed for two years at Vesta Corporation as treasurer and director of payments. He and Anne Cox married in 1996, and had two children, Ben, born in 1999, and Claire
Gino
He also began to reinvent himself, turning to such creative endeavors as building furniture and lamps, taking photographs, and creating jewelry. He was a masterful chef and wine connoisseur, and his warm, generous personality made him the family’s favorite host.
It was in Polson, near family and the big lake, that he returned to his love of all things aquatic and found a new love with Shelley Sullivan. Together, they explored Montana and the world, from swimming in Lake
They also found plenty of fun locally, dancing at KwaTaqNuk and the annual Cowboy Ball and boating on Flathead Lake.
For five years, William coached the Lake Monsters swim team at the Mission Valley Aquatic Center, where kids responded to his kind, supportive tutelage, and playful yet competitive spirit.
He also spread his passion for skateboarding –
a sport he first embraced in the 1970s and later shared with son Ben. He worked with Jesse Vargas, local businesses and other organizations to expand the Polson Skatepark and organize the annual Skate Jam. Collaborating with the Boys and Girls Club, he launched a project aimed at getting skateboards and gear into the hands of kids who couldn’t afford them. He recruited area art teachers, who encouraged students to paint skateboard decks as art projects, which they could either keep or donate. Local artists also pitched in, painting decks that were displayed locally and sold to raise money to purchase more boards.
William (also known as Coach Will to his swimmers, and Wim to childhood friends and cousins) was a vibrant soul – playful and lighthearted, calm and confident, curious and charming. He took his responsibilities seriously, yet still found time to enjoy life and master new skills. He was also courageous – especially in confronting the challenges brought by epilepsy, restless leg syndrome and, in the last 10 months of his life, the devastating diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. He was gracious and generous, kind and loving to the very end of his
page 16
William Lambson
life. Too ill to attend his daughter’s graduation from Seattle University in June, he was able to watch from afar as Claire accepted her diploma, thanks to his mom and her cell phone.
William leaves behind his children, Ben and Claire; wife Shelley and her children, Shay and Jasmine; his mother, Theodora, and her partner, Roger Norgaard; siblings Scott Lambson (Naviya) and Michelle Lambson (Art Soukkala); and nephews Perry and Lindey Lambson. The family will gather for a small memorial this month and hopes to hold a celebration of William’s life this fall.
Donations honoring his dedication to youth may be made to Mission Valley Aquatics Center or Polson Skatepark.
Donna Daniels
RONAN — Donna Lou (Aadsen) Daniels, beloved sister, aunt, grandma, and friend, passed away at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane on July 10, 2025. Donna was born on June 27, 1951, in Kalispell, to Donald and Betty Aadsen. She
joined her sister, and being a year apart in age they were often mistaken for twins.
Donna grew up and attended school in Evergreen, until moving with her family to Ronan in 1962. Donna graduated from Ronan High School in 1969. During those years she was a member of the high school band and choir and volunteered her time assisting young children with special needs and directing the children’s choir at her church.
After graduating Donna attended Eastern Montana College in Billings. She returned to Ronan in 1973 and worked at Don Aadsen Ford before opening her gift shop, Pots and Stuff. Donna married Bruce Bartel, and though divorced, they remained friends through the years.
bond. She attended as many of their events as she could but especially enjoyed their softball and baseball games.
She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church and P.E.O.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents and her companion of many years, Don Sophusson.
She is survived by her sister, Ann, and brother-in law, Gordon Henricksen; nephew, Eric (Jen) Henricksen, Taylor, Landon, Mason and Sydney; and niece, Amanda (Matt) Henricksen. She is also survived by Don’s daughters, Keri (Abas) Soardi, Trish Sophusson, and Kristy (Adam) Ferns all of Vancouver, British Columbia, and his grandchildren, McKenna, Jaidyn, Alia, Olivia, and Callum.
seniors
Polson
By Pete Mangels for the Valley Journal
POLSON — The full moon (Sturgeon) is best viewed on the 8th of August. During fire season we call it the red moon.
We have opportunities to awaken, supplement, or expand your experiences while serving your Polson Senior Community Center in a leadership position. Nominations for six positions, (yes, you can nominate yourself), are now being accepted. Call or visit us. The board meets the second Friday of each month at 10:30 a.m. Visitors are always welcome. Heavy traffic is delaying food delivery by up to 20 minutes. Be patient. We are doing what we can to deliver meals in a timely fashion, as always. Medical appointments are always our priority for Taxi services.
A Nail Clinic is available. Sign up at the Polson Senior Center.
ularly at the center. We have space for other small clubs to meet for games or educational purposes, or crafts/collectors, etc.
Spinning Wheelers: first Tuesday of each month. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 208-5201013
VSO (Veterans Service Officer:) first Friday and third Tuesday of each month. 9 a.m.-noon. Walk-ins OK. Menu (subject to change): lunch $5 donation, served from 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 30: Salisbury steak, noodles-n- gravy, peas and carrots, aspic salad, chocolate pudding
Thursday, July 31: chicken enchilada, spicey beans, salsa, green salad, lemon cake
Friday, Aug. 1: fish sandwich, sauce tarter, tater tots, mixed veggies, green salad, lemon pudding
Monday, Aug. 4: tomato soup, cheesy bread pea and cheese salad, cookies
In 1986 Donna moved to Sandpoint, Alaska, to work in the fishing industry for the next 28 years. She managed the Peter Pan Seafoods office, and the fishermen and their families became her dear friends. She retired in 2014 and returned to Ronan to be closer to her family.
In Ronan she served as the nutrition director at the Mission Valley Senior Center, a job she loved. Donna also loved spending time with her great nephew, Landon, and great niece, Taylor. They had a very special
- July 30, 2025
She loved her family and was so proud of them. We love you “to the moon,” Donna.
A memorial service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church on Aug. 2 at 2 p.m. Memorials can be made to the Mission Valley Senior Center, 528 Main St SW, Ronan, MT, 59864 or the Ronan Boys and Girls Club, PO Box 334, Ronan, MT, 59864. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at: www. shriderthompson.com.
Arrangements are under the care of Shrider – Thompson Funeral Home.
The center has an employment opportunity in the Nutrition Department. Call us and ask for Kaye.
Activities (air conditioned):
Wednesday Play Day: cards, board games, kitchen table games, Dominoes, chess, etc. - Invite a foursome. Casual. Cool.
Bingo: Fridays at 6 p.m. standard games - Wednesdays at 6 p.m., “playing card” elimination style bingo - last week had nearly 50 people. Easy play, easy rules. Cool.
Exercise: You decide your level of comfort - M-W-F, 10:30–11:30 a.m. - video-assisted, low impact. Cool.
Pinochle: Thursdays(standard) and Mondays (no pass): 12:30-3 p.m. Early birds at noon. Rotate partners. Beginners welcome. Are you too old to learn something new?
Non-competitive. No cost. Learners welcomed and coached. Cool.
Pool: Open table from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Cool.
Bridge and Mahjong clubs meet reg-
Tuesday, Aug. 5: spaghetti garlic bread, corn green salad, orange cake
Wednesday, Aug. 6: orange chicken, stuffing, peas, fruit salad, bread pudding
Friday, Aug. 8: hash brown bake, muffin, fruit, butterscotch pudding
The Polson Senior Community Center has space available for your special event (large or small); daily, weekends or evenings. We are open 8 am.–3 p.m. weekdays, or later by appointment. Call us at 406-883-4735. 504 Third Ave. E. Email: polsonseniorcenter@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook!
St. Ignatius
By Theresa Yares for the Valley Journal
ST. IGNATIUS — This summer has certainly flew by fast. I hope everyone is taking a few moments to stop and just relax.
see page 17
Donna Daniels
Seniors
Activities:
page 16
Bingo: Saturday, Aug. 9, at 2 pm.
Menu:
Friday, Aug. 1: biscuits w/sausage gravy, mixed fruit, banana cream pie
Tuesday, Aug. 5: Goulash, green beans, cucumber/onion salad, fruit, oatmeal/raisin cookie
Wednesday, Aug. 6: (dinner meal at 5:30 p.m.)- ham, baked beans, salad, bread, watermelon, lemon bars
Tuesday, Aug. 8: chicken casserole, green salad, banana, roll, raspberry bars
If you would like a takeout meal, call 406745-4462 by 10 a.m. on Tuesday and Friday and by 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Times of meals are listed with the menu. Menus for the month are available in the entryway of the center. Everyone is welcome at our meals (young and old). Come enjoy a delicious meal and good conversation. Our St. Ignatius Senior Center is open to people renting it. If you are interested, call 406-745-4462 and leave a message. We will call you back with the information you need. If you have questions about obtaining Elder Commodities, call or stop by for information and application. Gentle Yoga is on Wednesdays from 1 to 2:15 p.m. If you are interested, call Bonnie Kiser at 406-253-0177. Her rate is five sessions for $65.
Wednesday, July 30
Enjoy Summer Youth Cultural Connection Day
ST. IGNATIUSTribal Health invites all to Summer Youth Cultural Connection Day events. Activities will include, painting/coloring, specialty table, language, bead art, story time, elder visiting, traditional games and yard games held between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. with lunch provided. Call Chelsea Arlee with questions at 406-745-3525 X 5065. The July 30 event will be held at St. Ignatius Taelman Park.
Free meditation class offered
POLSON — Join the Mission Mountain Zen Center on Wednesdays for online instruction, practice and discussion via Zoom and in-person. The classes will be rom 6 to 7:30 p.m. We will cultivate and deepen our centering skills and meditation practice during the class. For more information and a Zoom link to the class call Zenku at 847-721-0665 or email at: Jerry.Smyers@gmail. com. Go to: www.missionmountainzen.org for more information.
‘Back to the Future’ shown at the library
POLSON — The second day of the library’s movie trilogy will take place at 3 p.m. with “Back to the Future” shown in the library community room.
Thursday, July 31
Watch movie 3 of ‘Back to the Future Trilogy’
POLSON — The Deloreon Drive-In (indoors with A/C) presents Movie 3 in the “Back to the Future Trilogy” on Thursday, July 31. Join us from 3-5 p.m. All ages are welcome to join us. Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Don’t be a Slacker Marty! Come to the library.
Rock the Dock
POLSON — Music
starts at 7 p.m. at the KwaTaqNuk Resort, 49708 US Highway 93 E, with “Hellcat Maggie” providing the tunes. Admission is free and all ages are welcome.
Register for softball
RONAN — Registration for Pioneer Days’ co-ed softball game takes place from 5-7 p.m. at the Softball Fields on Mink Lane on July 31.
Join visit to Three Chiefs Cultural Center
POLSON — The Summer Reading Pro-
gram gathering takes place on Thursday, July 31, at 10 a.m. with the Three Chiefs Cultural Center’s, Nadia Adams, presenting a program on Native American regalia and art. Call the library for possible location change information at 406-883-8225.
POLSON — The Polson Library will host author Jess Owen from Whitefish on Friday, Aug. 1, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. She will be giving a presentation on the basics of writing and drawing. Best known for her fantasy series starring gryphon characters, “The Summer King Chronicles,” Jess is currently working on a new series set in that world: “The Dragon Star Saga.” She will have a selection of her books for sale. Register for this program by calling the library at 406-8838225. Bring your sketch pad or paper will be provided. This program is free and open to all ages.
Friday, Aug. 1
Library hosts author Jess Owen
MARTY HENSEL PHOTO
These green appled are getting close to harvest.
Mother Goose at library
POLSON — The Polson Library’s program for 0-24 month old children takes place on Fridays at 10-11 p.m. in the community room. We will sing songs and have interactive activities for caregivers and their little ones.
Library hosts author
POLSON — On Friday, Aug. 1, the Polson Library will host author Jess Owen to discuss his book, “Of Graphic Novels & Gryphons” at 4:30 p.m. Bring your sketchpad or get paper from us. The event is free and open to all ages. Register by calling 406883-8225.
Rock the Dock
POLSON — Music starts at 7 p.m. at the KwaTaqNuk Resort, 49708 US Highway 93 E, with the Barker Brothers providing the tunes. Admission is free and all ages are welcome.
Pioneer Days gets underway
RONAN — Ronan Pioneer Days get underway Friday, Aug. 1, and continue through Sunday, Aug. 3 at the Ronan Fairgrounds. This year’s theme is “Beach Party.”
Ronan Pioneer Days is a community event with fun for the whole family. The Kid’s Fishing Derby takes place at the Ronan City Park from 8 a.m.-noon. A golf scramble happens at the Mission Mountain Golf Course beginning at 10 a.m. and a Bulls and Broncs Rodeo takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Lake County Fairgrounds. Street dances with live music take place from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. There will be plenty of good old-fashioned entertainment. Check out Ronan Pioneer Days on Facebook.
Saturday, Aug. 2
Free Women’s Self Defense course taught
ST. IGNATIUS — Ten Snakes Krav Maga will teach Women’s Self Defense at 77581 US-93 from 9:30-11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2. For more details call 406-309-1988.
Join Cherry Pitting Day
RONAN — Join community members at Mission West Community Development Partners, 407 Main Street SW, on Saturday, Aug. 2, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. for Cherry Pitting. For 20 pounds - $25. There’s a 20 pound minimum and a 100 pound maximum.
Cherries must be clean with no stems. Call 406-676-5916 with your questions.
Ninepipes holds ‘First Saturday’ event
CHARLO — The Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana, 69316 US Hwy. 93, invites you to their First Saturday event on Saturday, Aug. 2. Come meet local glass artists, Carol Benson, pottery artist, Carolyn Shoening, live music provided by Kae Mostead, Native American jewelry creator, Henrietta Wolf Black and impressionist painter, Kira Fercho. That One Guy will be there with his barbeque and tacos.
The museum is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Check out their website and Facebook page for updates, ninepiesmuseum.org or call 406-644-3435.
MV Super Oval Legend Madness happens
Pioneer Days puts on 3-on-3 Basketball
RONAN — The Mission Valley 3-on-3 Pioneer Days basketball tournament will be held Aug. 3 in the Ronan Event Center parking lots. Divisions include first grade through adults with a coed division. Free throw, 3-point contests and dunk contests will be held on Leonard Park Logging Center Court. Each team entry is $180 ($5 transaction fee if paid online). Entry deadline is July 21 at 8 p.m. Contact Steve Woll at 406261-1521 with any questions. No refunds will be given after brackets are posted. No dogs allowed in this area.
Co-ed Softball played
RONAN — Softball begins at 9 a.m. This event is for those 16 years and older. There is a $200 entry fee. For more information look for Ronan Pioneer Days on Facebook.
Register for Mission Mountain Classic Run
Madness Semi Pro/Young Lion and Pro/Masters, with 50 Lap USA Late Models, Twin 20s Hobby Stocks, place on Saturday, Aug. 2. Gates open at 4 p.m., qualifying happens at 6 p.m. and racing starts at 7 p.m. For more information, go to: MissionValleySuperOval.com.
The Bookfest Club meets
POLSON — The Bookfest Club, an adult book club, will meet at the Polson Library on Saturday, Aug. 2, in the community room at 2 p.m. They will discuss, “The Unmaking of June Farrow,” written by Adrienne Young.
Sunday, Aug. 3
Join Festival of Peace
ARLEE — The annual Festival of Peace at the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas takes place all day on Sunday, Aug. 3. This event is free and open to the public. The garden is located at 34574 White Coyote Road just north of Arlee.
on Monday, Aug. 4, in celebration of the Great American Outdoors Act.
Tuesday, Aug. 5
Enjoy Summer Youth Cultural Connection Day
RONAN — Tribal Health invites all to Summer Youth Cultural Connection Day events. Activities will include, painting/ coloring, specialty table, language, bead art, story time, elder visiting, traditional games and yard games held between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. with lunch provided. Call Chelsea Arlee with questions at 406-745-3525 X 5065. The Aug. 5 event will be held at Pache Homesites.
Adopt a pet from animal shelter
POLSON — The Mission Valley Animal Shelter will hold a $25 Kia Pet Adoption event from Aug. 5-9. Must have approved application to adopt. Go to: missionvalleyanimalshelter. squarespace.com or call 406883-5312.
page 17 see page 19
POLSON — The Legend Madness Semi Pro/Young Lion and Pro/Masters, with 50 Lap USA Late Models, Twin 20s Hobby Stocks, takes place on Saturday, Aug. 2. Gates open at 4 p.m., qualifying happens at 6 p.m. and racing starts at 7 p.m. For more information, go to: MissionValleySuperOval.com.
RONAN — The annual Mission Mountain Classic Run registration begins at 7 a.m. south of Glacier Bank or pre-register at the Competitive Timing website. The race begins at 8 a.m. From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. there is a free car show at the south lawn of Glacier Bank. The co-ed, all ages, City-Slicker Rodeo sign-ups take place at 11 a.m. with the rodeo going from noon to 3 p.m. Admission is $2 (all ages invited). The Ronan Pioneer Days Open Rodeo begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Lake County Fairgrounds. Chuck Briseno will provide music at the 2nd Chance Saloon from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. Street dancing with live music goes from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. For more information for look for Ronan Pioneer Days on Facebook.
Go to MV Super Oval
POLSON — The Legend
Volleyball played at Pioneer Days
RONAN — Volleyball Tournament registration takes place from 9-10 a.m. on the final day of Pioneer Days fun, Sunday, Aug. 3. The tournament takes place at Ronan City Park and continues until 3 p.m. The Big Pioneer Days Parade on Main Street starts at 12:30 p.m. Registration for the parade starts at 10 a.m. on Mink Lane by the fertilizer plant; autos register west of St. Luke’s. Ronan Open Pioneer Days Rodeo takes place at 3 p.m. at the Lake County Fairgrounds.
Monday, Aug.
4
Enter free at Glacier Park
GLACIER PARK — Entry to Glacier National Park is free
Memory Café held
POLSON — On Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 10 a.m.-noon Memory Café, a Dementia Care Partner Program with Angel Care takes place at the Polson Library. This program will repeat on the first Tuesday of each month. Memory Café is a safe and supportive environment for people living with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other forms of memory loss and their caregivers/family members. Learn more and register for this program by calling Danika at 406-409-8149.
Library hosts adult coloring program
POLSON — The Polson Library’s Adult Coloring Program takes place at the library on Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 10:30-
from page 18
11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 6
Science on Tap at Durham
POLSON — Join a ‘Science on Tap’ evening at the Durham, 49494 US-93, from 6:30-8 p.m. with Dr. Matt Church, microbial ecologist at the Flathead Lake Biological Station.
Church will share insights from his ongoing research into the invisible life forms and complex ecological dynamics of Flathead Lake. Tickets are $5.
Enjoy Summer Youth
Cultural Connection Day
PABLO — Tribal Health invites all to Summer Youth Cultural Connection Day events. Activities will include, painting/coloring, specialty table, language, bead art, story time, elder visiting, traditional games and yard games held between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. with lunch provided. Call Chelsea Arlee with questions at 406-7453525 X 5065. The Aug. 6 event will be held at Woodcock Homesites.
Free meditation class offered
POLSON — Join the Mission Mountain Zen Center on Wednesdays for online instruction, practice and discussion via Zoom and in-person. The classes will be rom 6 to 7:30 p.m. We will cultivate and deep-
en our centering skills and meditation practice during the class. For more information and a Zoom link to the class call Zenku at 847-721-0665 or email at: Jerry.Smyers@gmail. com. Go to: www.missionmountainzen.org for more information.
Thursday, Aug. 7
Lakers enjoy Summer Soiree
BIG ARM — The Flathead Lakers will hold their annual Summer Soiree on Thursday, Aug. 7, from 5-9 p.m. at 28275 Skipping Rock Lane. For more information go to: www.flatheadlakers. org.
Rock the Dock
POLSON — Music starts at 7 p.m. at the KwaTaqNuk Resort, 49708 US Highway 93 E, with Tommy Edwards providing the tunes. Admission is free and all ages are welcome.
Library ends summer with block party
POLSON — The Polson Library will end their annual reading program with an amazing block party on Thursday, Aug. 7, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Come join the fun with hot dogs, ice cream, carnival games, a book sale. A prize drawing will be held at 6 p.m.
Taj Mahal coming to Wachholz College Center August 7
KALISPELL — Legendary blues icon and five time Grammy award winner Taj Mahal is bringing his unique and masterful sound to the Flathead
Valley this summer on Aug. 7.
Known for his profound influence on blues, roots and world music, Taj Mahal’s performance promises to be a captivating celebration of musical history, blending diverse genres that have shaped his unparalleled career that spans six decades. For more information and ticket details, visit: wccmt.org or contact the ticket office at 406756-1400.
Friday, Aug. 8
33rd Annual SKC Golf Scramble begins
PABLO — On Aug. 8 and 9 at Silver Fox Golf Course in Pablo, the 33rd Annual SKC Golf Scram-
ble’s 18 hole scramble will have a shotgun start. Golf at 8:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. either day. The cost is $450 per team. To register go to: advancement@skc.edu.
Library opens late
POLSON — The Polson Library will open at 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8, due to staff training. The Joyful Cup walk-up window will remain open regular hours, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Mother Goose is cancelled for this day.
Mother Goose program canceled for day
POLSON — The Polson Library’s Mother Goose program is cancelled for this day due to staff training.
public meetings
The Polson City Commission meets every first and third Monday of the month (Wednesday, if the Monday falls on a holiday) at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 106 1st Street East. Meetings are open to the public.
St. Ignatius City Council meets the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 12 First Ave. 406- 745-3791
Ronan City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m., 207 Main Street SW, Ste A. 406-676-4231
Lake County Commissioners , 106 Fourth Ave. E, room 211, (Lake County Courthouse) 406-883-7278, Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
The Lake County Conservation District , 64352 US HWY 93, Ronan, meets monthly on the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are open to the public and agendas may be found at LakeCountyConservationDistrict.org.
The Ronan School District No. 30 Board of Trustees have regularly scheduled board meetings once a month. They meet the second Monday of every month in the K. William Harvey Elementary Multi-Purpose Room. Regular meetings begin at 7 p.m.
The Polson School District No. 23 Board of Trustees have regularly scheduled board meetings once a month. Meetings are held the second Monday of each month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the District Office, 111 4th Ave. E, 406-883-6345.
The Charlo School District 7J B Board of Trustees have regularly scheduled meetings on the third Thursday of every month. Meetings are held in the school library, 404 1st Ave. W, and begin at 7 p.m. The phone number is 406-6442206.
The Arlee School District No. 8 Board of Trustees hold regularly scheduled meetings on the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the Arlee High School Library, 72220 Fyant Street, and begin at 6:30 p.m. The phone number is 406-726-3216.
Valley View Elementary is located at 42448 Valley View Road. The phone number is 406-8832208.
St. Ignatius School District No. 28 Board of Trustees meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the library, 76 Third Avenue. The phone number is 406-745-3811.
PUZZLES
Announcements
Special Notices
BYOB
Be Your Own Boss! Looking for a fresh start? This well-established (20 years old), award-winning, weekly newspaper is for sale. $150,000. Call 406-2491793 for details.
Switch and save up to $250/ year on your talk, text and data. No contract and no hidden fees. Unlimited talk and text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. Limited time offer - get $50 off on any new account. Use code GIFT50. For more information, call 1-877-324-0193
Connect to the best wireless home internet with EarthLink. Enjoy speeds from 5G and 4G LTE networks, no contracts, easy installation, and data plans up to 300 GB. Call 855-419-7978
Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-855-995-3572
Get your deduction ahead of the year-end! Donate your car, truck, or SUV to assist the blind and visually
impaired. Arrange a swift, no-cost vehicle pickup and secure a generous year-end tax credit. Call Heritage for the Blind today at 1-855-9012620 today!
Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-762-1508
Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-855-601-2865
Employment
Help wanted
SECRETARY/RECEPTIONIST/ FILE CLERK
TRIBAL PROSECUTORS
OFFICE - PABLO, MT
This is a full-time position that works in an office setting under the general supervision of the Law Office Administrator. This position uses experienced judgment and discretion to prioritize assignments and determines the best method to accomplish work within the deadlines established by the Prosecutors Office, the CSKT Laws Codified, Federal Law and Montana Code Annotated. The successful applicant
must have experience in law, paralegal, legal secretary technology, or closely related field. Ability to provide legal assistance to the attorneys. Knowledge of word processing and related computer programs such as Word, Outlook, Excel, and Microsoft Office are required. Must have the ability to draft basic legal writings and document preparation, and possess skills in written and verbal communications, and familiar with standard office equipment such as computers, printers, copy machines and fax machines. Ability to keep filing system up to date in proper alphabetic order; ability to learn computer skills necessary for maintaining the docket/calendaring. Must be able to pass a background investigation. FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN DISQUALI- FICATION DURING THE SCREENING PROCESS. All applicants are required to submit a Tribal Employment Application (Resumes may be submitted but may not replace or supplement the official Tribal Employment Application), copies of academic transcripts and/or training certificates, proof of Tribal Enrollment from a Federally recognized tribe if other than CSKT, and if claiming Veteran’s preference, a copy of DD214 must be submitted. This position is a Non-Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. The successful applicant, if not already employed by the CSKT,
must pass a pre-hire drug test and serve a mandatory six (6) month probationary period. Salary range is $15.36 to $17.66 per hour (Including Benefits: Health and Life Insurance, Retirement, Long-term Disability, and PTO & Paid Holidays). To apply, contact Tribal Personnel at 406/675-2700 Ext. 1040. Tribal Employment Applications are also available online at cskt.org/personnel. This position will close on Monday, August 4, 2025 at 5:30pm. CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.
WATER RESOURCES SPECIALIST
DIVISION OF ENGINEERING & WATER RESOURCES (DEWR) COMPLEX
RONAN, MT - NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
The successful applicant must possess a Bachelor’s degree in hydrologic sciences or a closely related physical science field OR, a combination of education and experience including at least one (1) year of specialized experience that is related to the duties of this position. Knowledge of surface water hydrology, groundwater hydrology and practical applications in data collection and management; ability to take mathematical principles and apply them to water resources problems. Skills in use of analytical tools including spreadsheet analysis are required. Skills in statistical analysis, water budget analysis, and geospatial analysis are preferred. Ability to read and interpret a wide variety of
instructions and procedures in oral and/or written form; to collect data, establish facts, draw conclusions, and define problems and recommend solutions, both orally and in written form. Possession of a valid driver’s license; must have liability or full coverage insurance on personal vehicle (if used to travel off-site in performance of duties). Must wear Tribal Government identification and safety apparel when conducting field activities. Required to successfully complete a certified defensive driving course approved by the Department every three (3) years thereafter. FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION DURING THE SCREENING PROCESS. All applicants are required to submit a Tribal Employment Application (Resumes may be submitted but may not replace or supplement the official Tribal Employment Application), copies of relevant academic transcripts and/or certificates, copy of 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. This position is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. The successful applicant, if not already employed by CSKT must pass pre-hire drug test and serve a mandatory six (6) month probationary period. Salary range is $28.22 to $32.44 per hour (Comprehensive Benefits include: Health and Life Insurance, Retirement, Long-term Disability, Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, and a collaborative team environment). To apply contact Tribal Personnel at 406/675-2700 Ext. 1040. Tribal Employment Applications are also available online at cskt.org/personnel. This position will close on Monday, August 4, 2025 at 5:30 pm. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION: Cody Goklish, DEWR/Program Hydrologist at 406-6752700 Ext. 6311, or Email: cody.goklish@cskt.org.
classifieds
Help wanted
cont’d from pg. 21
INTERESTED AND QUALIFIED APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY!
CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.
PREVENTION SPECIALIST, PROGRAM MANAGER
TRIBAL OPIOID RESPONSE TRIBAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The successful applicant must have a Bachelor’s degree in a health related, social work, or human services field. A minimum of 1 year working in public/ community health and/or prevention. Experience managing budgets and writing reports. Experience managing grants. A valid driver’s license. Must pass background investigation. All applicants must submit a Tribal application, a copy of academic transcript/ degree, certifications, copy of valid driver’s license, if claiming Tribal preference, proof of enrollment from a federally recognized Tribe if other than CSKT, and if claiming veteran’s preference, a copy of the DD214 must be submitted.
FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION WILL RESULT
IN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION DURING THE SCREENING PROCESS.
This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy and subject to random drug testing. The successful applicant, if not already employed by the Tribes must pass a pre-hire drug test and serve a mandatory six (6) month probationary period. Salary is $28.99 - $33.32 per hour, plus benefits, may be employed under contract. To apply, contact Personnel at (406) 675-2700 Ext. 1040 or personnel@cskt.org. Tribal applications are also available online at cskt.org/personnel. The closing date will be Monday, August 4, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. (MST) CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.
Extension Agent – Family & Consumer Sciences and 4-H in Blaine County, Chinook, MT. Full time. Exciting job with lots of autonomy! Will develop, implement and evaluate Extension programming. Complete information and to apply: www.montana.edu/extension/careers. In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans,
disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile. Montana State University does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
Extension Agent in Meagher County, White Sulphur Springs, MT. Full time. Exciting job with lots of autonomy! Will develop, implement and evaluate Extension programming. Complete information and to apply: www.montana.edu/- extension/careers. In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile. Montana
Puzzle Answers
(From puzzles on page 20.) Word
State University does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
LEGAL SECRETARY ASSISTANT TRIBAL PROSECUTORS
OFFICE – PABLO, MT
This is a technical skilled position that requires certain specialized legal knowledge to assist the Legal Assistant/ Law Office Administrative Assistant, attorneys and advocates in the Tribal Prosecutors Office. The successful applicant is required to have a high school diploma or equivalent; and a minimum of two (2) years’ legal secretarial experience. Knowledge of legal office principles, practices and procedures is required. Ability to learn quickly, work calmly and efficiently under pressure all while handling work professionally and courteously; maintain effective working relationships and a high level of confidentiality. Skilled in oral and written communications, grammar and spelling, use of wide variety of office equipment includ-
ing computers, legal practice management software and good telephone techniques. Must complete and pass the CJIN Background Investigation. FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION DURING THE SCREENING PROCESS. All applicants are required to submit a Tribal Employment Application (Resumes may be submitted but may not replace or supplement the official Tribal Employment Application), copies of academic transcripts and/ or training certificates, and proof of Tribal Enrollment from a Federally recognized Tribe if other than CSKT and, if claiming Veteran’s preference, a copy of DD214 must be submitted. This is a Non-Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. The successful applicant, if not already employed by the Tribes, must pass a pre-hire drug test and serve a mandatory six (6) month probationary period. Salary is $19.62 to $22.55 (Including Benefits: Health and
Life Insurance, Retirement, Long-term Disability, and PTO & Paid Holidays). To apply, contact Tribal Personnel at 406/675-2700 Ext. 1040. Tribal Employment Applications are also available online at cskt.org/personnel. Closing date will be Monday, August 4, 2025 at 5:30pm. CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.
TCC SOCIAL ADVOCATE TRIBAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Floating location
The successful applicant must possess a Bachelor’s degree in either Social Work, Health & Human Services, Community Services or related field. At least one year working in customer service. Care Coordination Certificate within six months of hire. Must have Basic Life Support for Healthcare providers within three months of employment. Must possess a valid driver’s license. All applicants must submit a Tribal application, a copy of academic transcript/ degree, certifications, copy of valid driver’s license, if
public notices
claiming Tribal preference, proof of enrollment from a federally recognized Tribe if other than CSKT, and if claiming veteran’s preference, a copy of the DD214 must be submitted. FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION DURING THE SCREENING PROCESS. This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy and subject to random drug testing. The successful applicant, if not already employed by the Tribes must pass a pre-hire drug test and serve a mandatory six (6) month probationary period. Salary is $23.92 - $27.49 per hour, plus benefits. To apply, contact Personnel at (406) 675-2700 Ext. 1040 or personnel@cskt. org Tribal applications are also available online at cskt. org/personnel. The closing date will be Monday, August 4, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. (MST) CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.
Miscellaneous
Pets & Supplies
Caucasian Shepherd Puppies pure bred, 7 available, three male, four female, ready mid July. Guard livestock/family. Call or text 406-210-4807
this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Montana Human Rights Act which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, marital status, age, familial status, physical or mental disability, or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD Toll-free at 1-800669-9777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.
For Rent
2,664 sq. ft. Warehouse, 2.4 miles E of Ronan, $1,400/mo, 3 month lease. 1st and Last Month’s Rent. Call Jim 1-406-241-2037
Vehicles
RV
FOR SALE: Immaculate 2019 Dynamax Isata3 24FW diesel RV for sale in Kalispell. 19,981 miles, slide out, generator, loaded. $80,000. Call/text 406-253-8880 for pictures and details.
Public Notices
Legals Legals
School District No. 23
Polson Public Schools *PUBLIC NOTICE*
RESOLUTION TO DISPOSE OF REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY
In Compliance with 20-6-604, MCA, the Polson Board of Trustees of School District No. 23, resolved to sell/dispose of surplus property which is unsuitable for the school purposes of the district. Items will be sold at a Surplus Property Sale to be held on August 6, 2025 from 8:00 -12:00 p.m. at the Polson Bus Barn, located at 9 9th Ave West,
Polson, MT. 59860.
List can be found on the Polson School District website: https://www.polson. k12.mt.us/
July 30 and August 6, 2025 MNAXLP
NOTICE OF THE ST. IGNATIUS SCHOOL DISTRICT #28
Final Budget Hearing for the 2025-2026 School Year Trustees in School District #28 will be meeting on August 19, 2025 to consider and adopt the Final Budget for the upcoming year. The meeting will be held in St. Ignatius library at 6:30 p.m. The meeting of the Trustees may continue from day to day until the final adoption of the district’s budget. Any taxpayer in the district may appear at the meeting and be heard for or against any part of the budget. Draft budgets are available for inspection at the District Office.
Contact: Jason Sargent, Superintendent
PO Box 1540 St. Ignatius, MT 59865 406-745-3811, ext. 260
July 30, 2025 MNAXLP
Matthew H. O’Neill Skyler C. Bagley
O’NEILL & BAGLEY LAW OFFICE, PLLC
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
MONTANA TWENTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, LAKE COUNTY
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GARY L. CLARK, Deceased.
CAUSE No. DP-25-45
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, PLLC , Attorneys for the Personal Representative, at P.O. Box 699, Polson, MT 59860.
