Community comes together for Charlo 4-H family
BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 2 months AGO
Charlo Stockgrowers 4-H member was injured in a four-wheeler accident on July 2, 2025. The 4-H and Mission Valley communities are rallying to raise money for Allen's nedical bills. (Courtesy photo)
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. | July 31, 2025 12:00 AM
Allen Detert, a member of the Charlo Stockgrowers 4-H Club, was injured in a four-wheeler accident on July 2. Allen spent several weeks in Seattle Children’s Hospital, diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, a fractured jaw, and an injured spleen.
Allen’s jaw was surgically repaired, and the family reports that he’s been improving. Now home in Charlo, Detert is facing lots of rehabilitation.
All the Lake County 4-H clubs put together baskets to auction off with the proceeds going to Allen and his family for medical expenses and other needs.
Allen’s sister, Elsie, has been caring for his market steer as well as her own. She brought Allen’s black steer, Wayne, to the fair, and kept him clean, fed, and brushed.
The Lake County Fair Board allowed the Detert family to sell the steer at the end of the Lake County Fair Market Sale.
Shawn and Laura Andres, Alpine Artistry, bought the big black steer for $10 per pound, and he weighed more than 1,390 pounds. After auctioneer Travis Jepsen sold the steer, he began taking donations in increments of $2,500, and the community – farmers, ranchers, businesspeople, friends, neighbors, other 4-H families – raised another $59,000 for the Detert family.
For folks who would like to donate, there is an account set up for Allen at Valley Bank or a GoFundMe page.
ARTICLES BY BERL TISKUS
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
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
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.