Valley Journal
Valley Journal

Articles Written By: Caleb M. Soptelean

Amphibious planes pose dilemma in anti-AIS effort Amphibious planes pose  dilemma in anti-AIS  effort

POLSON – As the battle to prevent aquatic invasive species moves forward, what to do about sea planes may be the next issue on the horizon.  Sea planes, or those that only land or take off on water, pose a particular problem: how to regulate them?  “We’re trying to figure it...

Woman gets deferred sentence for theft, burglary

POLSON – A St. Ignatius woman received two six-year deferred sentences for accountability to theft and burglary last week. The sentences will run concurrently.  Christina Suzzette Umphrey, 33, had been charged for her part in the theft of $13,285 of cash, checks and cigarettes from Rod’s ...

Ronan man faces possession with intent charge Ronan man faces possession with intent charge

POLSON – A 43-year-old Ronan man has been charged with criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute after police allegedly found 15 grams of methamphetamine and 14 loaded firearms in his home on Dec. 30, 2016. Brian Francis Charette was arrested in that case in which police also all...

Rain, cooler weather dampens Blue Bay, Liberty fires Rain, cooler weather dampens Blue Bay, Liberty fires

The Blue Bay 1 and 2 fires that broke out on Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal land on Thursday, Aug. 10, were dampened by rain, cooler weather and cloud cover on Sunday.  Lightning is the suspected cause of the fires which are burning in the Mission Mountains east of Blue Bay. Brent Burland...

Father, son share stage at Aber Day Reunion Father, son share stage at Aber Day Reunion

POLSON – Sam Riddle grew up in New York City, but Montana is in his blood.  Riddle, who performed with his father Steve at last Saturday’s Aber Day Reunion concert at the Regatta Shoreline Amphitheater, was born in Missoula but spent the first 13 years of his life in New York.  Th...

County approves rezoning for Gray’s Acres area County approves rezoning for Gray’s Acres area

POLSON – Some residents of Gray’s Acres were pleased following a decision by the Lake County commissioners last week. Ben Anciaux, who lives in the neighborhood affected by the change, filed an application on April 7 to rezone from medium to low-density residential the area between Eleventh an...

Rotary chili cook off raises $27K for kids Rotary chili cook off raises $27K for kids

POLSON – Lots of folks were chillin’ on Saturday at Riverside Park. So much so that the Rotary Club of Polson’s 11th annual Festival of Youth Chili Cook Off raised a record $27,000.  For $3, a person could sample each of 13 chilies that were prepared by various local organizations.&...

Finley Point home lost to fire Finley Point home lost to fire

FINLEY POINT – A two-story house was consumed by fire on Aug. 9.  Finley Point/Yellow Bay Fire Department Chief Brent Burland said a call came in at 9:18 p.m. about a fire on Finley Point Lane.  When firefighters arrived, the home was fully engulfed and nearby brush and trees were on fi...

Man charged with impersonating an officer

POLSON – A 33-year-old Polson man faces three counts of impersonating an officer after multiple reports of him “patrolling” Flathead Lake.  The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said Ryan Lowden was cited following an Aug. 10 search of his home that revealed Coast Guard clothing.&n...

St. Ignatius man faces assault charges St. Ignatius man faces assault charges

POLSON – A 34-year-old St. Ignatius man faces charges of assault with a weapon, stalking and violating an order of protection multiple times following separate incidents earlier this year.  James. J. McGuire also faces revocation of a sentence for misdemeanor partner family member assault and c...


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