Friday, January 23, 2026
14.0°F

Progress continues on Ronan water project

BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 9 months AGO
by BERL TISKUS
Reporter Berl Tiskus joined the Lake County Leader team in early March 2023, and covers Ronan City Council, schools, ag and business. Berl grew up on a ranch in Wyoming and earned a degree in English education from MSU-Billings and a degree in elementary education from the University of Montana. Since moving to Polson three decades ago, she’s worked as a substitute teacher, a reporter for the Valley Journal and a secretary for Lake County Extension. Contact her at [email protected] or 406-883-4343. | April 18, 2024 12:00 AM

The Ronan City Council meeting on April 10 was so short and sweet it should have been on Valentine’s Day.

For the city’s water system improvement project, commissioners approved two checks: one for the contractor’s application for the sixth payment in the amount of $57,771.82 and another for the ARPA grant draw for $77,306.29, which also helps fund the water system improvement project. 

Dan Miller, director of Public Works, told the council that “with an exception of a few little things, the water project for the school is pretty much done.” 

He added that the project is waiting for an okay from the Montana Department of Transportation to cut into Round Butte Road. They are also waiting for a permit to tie up the portion around DynoMart since there are some wetlands involved.

The next area for the water project is between NAPA Auto Parts and Arnie’s Gas and Tire Center.

Also approved was payment of $23,704.96 for the Montana Main Street program. The competitive grant helps communities implement projects directly related to downtown revitalization, development and historic preservation. 

According to Miller, the preliminary drawing for downtown Ronan showed many trees, which elicited a council discussion about maintenance of trees, gardens, etc. 

The council then passed the last agenda item: dropping the agriculture restriction for the Mission Range Event Center.

They also scheduled Ronan’s annual Clean-Up Day for May 4.

The city council’s next meeting is April 24.  

ARTICLES BY BERL TISKUS

Upgrades continue at Ronan Community Center
January 21, 2026 11 p.m.

Upgrades continue at Ronan Community Center

The Community Center in Ronan was dedicated in 1969, after untold months of work by the local Jaycees and Jayceens. “It’s been a very long time since it had an upgrade, just because there’s no money,” said Sjaan Vincent, Ronan fairgrounds manager.

City of Ronan welcomes Mark Nelson to council
January 21, 2026 11 p.m.

City of Ronan welcomes Mark Nelson to council

Ronan City Council’s meeting on Jan. 14 began with a welcome for a new council member and new police officer, plus new office worker Gwen Zolder.

Winterfest draws crowd but no snow
January 14, 2026 11 p.m.

Winterfest draws crowd but no snow

It was about 40 degrees with not a tablespoon of snow on the ground at the Miracle of America Museum in Polson on Jan. 10. Despite the balmy temperature, people gathered for the annual Winterfest, and examined the fleet of vintage snowmobiles on the museum’s front lawn.