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Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies

BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 2 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. | February 5, 2025 11:00 PM

The Flathead Courier, Feb. 7, 1925

Round Butte wins two on own floor

On Saturday night the Polson five dropped a game at Round Butte, the wonder team winning from the locals by a score of 27 to 10.

The Polson team was weakened by the loss of two regulars, Woods and Neifert. The resultant shakeup in the lineup proved disastrous.

The Round Butte team has been playing winning ball all season and has beaten everything in sight.

The Polson girls played the Round Butte girls the same night and were beaten by the locals 23 to 3. It was the second game of the season for the Polson girls while the Round Butte girls have been playing together for three years. They have a snappy offense.

 

Two are charged with moonshining

Harold Clairmont and John Clairmont were arraigned before Judge Asa L. Duncan in District Court last Friday on information filed by the county attorney charging the pair with possessing and manufacturing intoxicating liquors. They entered pleas of not guilty, and their bonds were fixed at $400 each.

They were represented by Attorney Lowary as counsel.

The two claimants, father and son, were arrested by Sheriff Kelly, Federal Officer Jack Curtis, and W.G. Brown of the Indian Service.

The officers did not capture the still but a quantity of mash was discovered.


Six western Montana banks close doors

Following the closing of the American Bank and Trust at Missoula last Friday, two Lake County banks and three Sanders County institutions closed their doors on Saturday.

The First National Bank in Ronan, The Farmers’ State Bank in Pablo, the Farmers’ and Merchants’ Bank in Dixon, the Farmers’ and Merchants’ Bank in Plains, and the Thompson State Bank in Thompson Falls have been closed. In every instance, the closing of the bank was due to their connection with the Missoula institution.

In every case, the banks have been turned over to the state bank examiner’s office and representatives, and representatives of the state department are taking over the direction of the affairs of the closed institutions.

ARTICLES BY BERL TISKUS

Brown Elephant in Ronan buys, sells, trades and offers loans
April 16, 2026 midnight

Brown Elephant in Ronan buys, sells, trades and offers loans

The Brown Elephant Pawn Shop opened in early April on Round Butte Road in Ronan.

Tour and meeting focus on Ronan revitalization efforts
April 16, 2026 midnight

Tour and meeting focus on Ronan revitalization efforts

Micky Zurcher, program specialist for community and economic vitality programs for the Montana Department of Commerce, was in Ronan April 1 to meet with members of the Ronan Revitalization Committee and others engaged in efforts to revitalize Main Street.

April 16, 2026 midnight

Council acknowledges Main Street program change

The Ronan City Council meeting on April 8 was short and sweet. The council approved a motion to authorize Mayor Ryan Corum to sign a document acknowledging the change from Ronan Revitalization Committee as the Montana Main Street coordinator to Mission West Community Development Partners.