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BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 1 month 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. | January 29, 2025 11:00 PM

Buffalo Gals Market opens in Ronan

A dozen local women share their wares at the new Buffalo Gals Market, located at 63869 Hwy. 93 in Ronan.

“We have something for everybody,” Frances Stokes said.

They specialize in vintage wares, repurposed pieces, furniture, home decor, jewelry and gifts, according to the business’s Facebook page. The Buffalo Gals recently added baby/children’s items, and usually offer a few serious antiques, too.

The 12 “Buffalo gals” all pay for space to display their wares, and they each take turns working a day in the shop, even though “every single one of us works,” Stokes said.

Their winter hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

They plan to add Tuesday to the mix this summer.

Martial arts gym celebrates first anniversary 

SBG Polson, located at 1104 4th Ave. E. in the old Masonic Lodge, offers a variety of fitness pursuits, including a boxing, mixed martial arts, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for ages 4 and up.

SBG is an acronym for Straight Blast Gym, a name inspired by an old Bruce Lee martial arts move, according to coach Tristan Ashby.

Ashby grew up in Polson and boxed at the VFW boxing gym when he was a kid. He lived in Missoula and worked at SBG Missoula before coming back to start a Polson branch, “because there is nothing like SBG in the community.”

Ashby offers a robust kids’ program and lots of adult classes.

According the Facebook page, “We look to create a safe and friendly training environment for everyone involved.”

The business will celebrate its first anniversary on Feb. 2 with an open mat. For more information, go to sbgpolson.com




ARTICLES BY BERL TISKUS

Car Class: Ronan students gain automotive know-how
March 26, 2026 midnight

Car Class: Ronan students gain automotive know-how

The automotive shop at the Boys and Girls Club in Ronan looks like the real deal. The three-bay shop boasts a lift in one bay, compliments of Don Aadsen Ford, and is equipped with automotive supplies and tools, vehicles and parts. The young mechanics working there are Ronan Charter Academy students, who attend either a morning or an afternoon session three days a week.

Rain fails to quench St. Paddy’s Day parade or spirits
March 26, 2026 midnight

Rain fails to quench St. Paddy’s Day parade or spirits

It’s always a guessing game on St Patrick’s Day - will it be stormy or sunny (or both)? As someone whose birthday is on March 17, I can tell you the scales tip heavily towards stormy and last Tuesday was no exception.

Ronan City Council OKs pawn shop, adds Melton to police board
March 19, 2026 midnight

Ronan City Council OKs pawn shop, adds Melton to police board

Ronan’s City Council meeting on March 11 saw the council selecting former council member Marlene Melton to serve on Ronan’s Police Board. In other business, council members discussed the Ronan Board of Adjustment’s suggestion to add “pawn shop” to the uses for the parcel of land located at 35958 Round Butte Road, but not the entire subdivision.