Valley Journal
Valley Journal

Articles Written By: Mary Auld

Arlee district searches for principal, superintendent

ARLEE – A wave of retirements scheduled for the end of this school year means the Arlee School District is looking for replacements.  Jim Taylor is the current junior and senior high school principal. He will retire at the end of the school year. Assistant junior and senior high principal Dan H...

Flathead Lake trout populations change in response to restoration efforts Flathead Lake trout populations change in response to restoration efforts

Flathead Lake teems with fish in today’s environment, and the most abundant trout species aren’t the ones that historically belong there but that’s changing.  Humans introduced lake trout, currently the dominant trout species in Flathead Lake, about 100 years ago. Lake trout eat oth...

Thanksgiving meals organized across Lake County Thanksgiving meals organized across Lake County

LAKE COUNTY — It’s not Thanksgiving without food and good company, but cooking a full meal is a lot of work. For those who would rather spend the holiday visiting with people from around the area, a community meal is a fun option. This year there will be free Thanksgiving Day meals in St. Ignatiu...

Arlee students cook indigenous foods, 'taste the past' Arlee students cook indigenous foods, 'taste the past'

ARLEE – In the Arlee Family and Consumer Science classroom, high schooler McKaryss Fisher carefully chopped morel mushrooms and fried them in a pan. It was similar to the work she does in her everyday cooking classes, except for one thing: the food in the recipe was native to the Flathead Reservation. ...

Fall Mack Days continues with many prizes Fall Mack Days continues with many prizes

News from CSKT FLATHEAD LAKE – Fall Mack Days will end on Nov. 10 with awards and a fish fry at the Blue Bay Campground. Up to $150,000 in cash and prizes sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes will be awarded to hard-working anglers. Mack Days fishing events are used as a fishe...

Commission allocates funds to repair street

POLSON – Commissioners voted to allocate funds for a sidewalk improvements project on 17th Street during the last meeting, involving the installation of a 10-foot section and repaving another area. Funds for the project were raised through an increased tax on gasoline and diesel. In order for the pr...

First annual Arlee Trail of Bales is a success First annual Arlee Trail of Bales is a success

By Mary Auld for the Valley Journal  ARLEE – Arlee’s business community livened up the town’s streets with creative hay bale creations.  Shannon Patton works at Valley Bank in Arlee and organized the contest. She was inspired by the hay bale decorating event in Ronan. Commun...

Dixon Mercantile provides food, community hub Dixon Mercantile provides food, community hub

DIXON – In an open storefront fitted with a new coat of paint and a roaring woodstove, a crowd milled around to enjoy their breakfasts, chatting with strangers and waiting for seats. At times the line of customers waiting to order at the counter extended all the way to the door.   The Dixon Mer...

PUFF unites small businesses, filmmakers, enthusiasts PUFF unites small businesses, filmmakers, enthusiasts

LAKE COUNTY – In a single night, locals explored religion, crime, Irish history and the struggle of a bird trying to navigate around a fence – all from inside the Lozar Brewery Museum in Polson. About 20 people attended a screening from the new Pop Up Film Festival. PUFF shows films monthly ar...

New gallery unites community around art New gallery unites community around art

RONAN – Nicole Tavenner spent last winter gazing at the vacant building across the street from her desk job, dreaming of the storefront filled with a bustle of art and performance.   Last month, Tavenner’s plans became a reality when she opened the Grey Leaf Gallery on Main Street. Her pl...


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