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BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 8 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. | 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

October 1, 2026 midnight

Ronan City Council accepts conditional loans and grants for $9.7 million wastewater project

The agenda of the Sept. 21 Ronan City Council meeting presented on completing the steps for the Rural Development grants and loans for the Ronan Wastewater Treatment Facility improvements. Council members met online with Steve Troendle, USDA Montana State Community Facilitator of Water & Environmental. Other personnel from the state office were also in attendance and Ronan city attorney Clif Hayden.

A course, a certificate, a career path: SKC has something for every student
September 24, 2026 midnight

A course, a certificate, a career path: SKC has something for every student

Salish Kootenai College began its fall quarter on Sept. 15, although some students are still completing registration. The school usually has between 650 and 700 students.

Mission Mountain Pedal to Plate cyclists pedaled Charlo, St. Ignatius this year
September 24, 2026 midnight

Mission Mountain Pedal to Plate cyclists pedaled Charlo, St. Ignatius this year

The sky dawned grey with slightly cloudy conditions on Saturday, Sept. 19, but turned into a crisp, sunny fall day. That was just what the 175 Mission Mountain Area Pedal to Plate cyclists were looking for — a stunning day to enjoy cycling on backroads near St. Ignatius and Charlo, with the Mission Mountains to the east.