Valley Journal
Valley Journal

Articles Written By: Daniel Martynowicz

Ronan man competes in college national finals rodeo

Once again, the Mission Valley produced an incredible rodeo hand in Levi Guenzler. The 63rd annual College National Finals Rodeo took place in Casper, Wyo., this past week. Guenzler brought home fifth place in steer wrestling out of more than 40 competitors. “It’s pretty cool,” Guenzl...

Moose rides a horse

I love John Wayne; but not in a weird night-stalking kind of way. It’s more like a passive reverence and profound respect thing, rather than an “I own a pair of signed John Wayne underwear” thing. I guess I don’t really love him like a crazed fan-boy would, but I do love what he st...

Bison babies increase herd

MOEISE — The National Bison Range’s herd in Moiese added 60 new family members this spring. Outdoor recreation planner Pat Jamieson said the baby bison are doing just fine, and she expects a few more before the season’s end. “You always get a late birth or two,” Jamieson s...

Woman killed in 2-car crash

ST. IGNATIUS- St. Ignatius lost a valued community member in a fatal two-vehicle accident on June 17. Sgt. Terry Rosenbaum of the Montana Highway Patrol said the crash occurred on St. Mary’s Lake Road about a quarter mile west of Hillside. Around 11 p.m., a Subaru station wagon driven by Carol Jo...

Uncommon ground

The Mission Mountain Wilderness celebrated its 30th anniversary last week with bison burgers, reverence, reflection, and respect in the face of profound beauty and true nature.  Fish, Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation Division director Tom McDonald said the tribes bought 93,000 acres of wildernes...

Local youth rodeo stars win big

Three Mission Valley high school students scored big at Montana’s state rodeo competition that wrapped up June 9.   Despite having to weather quite a bit of adversity, Abby Knight came home with a first-place finish in barrel racing. Her state champion pole bending horse died just a few months ...

Tribal bus system offers affordable rides in 4 counties

Do you have eight quarters, 20 dimes or 40 nickels? For just a handful of change, you can take the Department of Human Resources Development van anywhere in Lake County.  Twelve years ago, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes opened a bus system with only two 13-passenger buses. It is now one ...

School board meeting features death threats, new hires

RONAN — The Ronan School Board’s June 11 meeting began with an emotional speech by high school principal Tom Stack. Stack said he’d received two death threats on Friday in the wake of last week’s media firestorm regarding guest speaker Gerald Molen. Stack canceled Molen’s speech...

Hero to many leaves Mission Valley

RONAN- Long time community member and friend to many, Jim BlackWolf, is going home. After nearly 25 years with Ronan-based Mission Mountain Enterprises, BlackWolf says he is leaving to be closer to his family in Lame Deer.  “I’m moving back to see my family, but I’ll sure miss my...

Hatchery spawns unusual albino trout

ARLEE — In spring 2009, the Jocko River Trout Hatchery got a colorful surprise after spawning roughly 250 albino trout. The last time this happened was in 1992. “It’s an indication that the stock is still good and variability is still strong,” said 25-year employee Ron Snyder. &ldq...


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