Paradise
Paradise, MT · Events
Lake County Leader
406 Rifle Company joins Ronan earlier this fall
A new family-owned business, 406 Rifle Company, joined Ronan’s continuing development earlier this fall at the former Red Poppy location. Owner Andy Luedtke became interested in the business because he wanted to build short-barreled suppressed rifles for hunting. Andy said the business goal is to create a one-stop shop for firearms where they can build stocks and put together guns. They're already on their way, with Kelly Clairmont building custom wood stocks and Jeremiah Kelly designing aluminum chassis. Rooted in a lifelong love of hunting, fishing and the outdoors, the company specializes in integrally suppressed barrels, firearms, ammunition and outdoor apparel. Gun counter clerk Ben Hopper explained that an integrally suppressed barrel has the suppressor built into the barrel. He said these barrels don’t sacrifice what you normally would with a threaded suppressor, which alters the barrel's harmonics and performance. Hopper said integrally suppressed barrels are 20-40% quieter than a traditional suppressor, reduce recoil by 40% and make “phenomenal guns.” He added that they are great because you can teach someone how to shoot a firearm without them developing any bad habits from recoil. Andy added that these barrels are more lightweight, and he believes they are the future of
Char-Koosta News
Tribal Council Honors Retiring Interior Senior Attorney
PABLO —The Tribal Council of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) honored Duane Mecham, who is retiring as a senior attorney with the U.S. Department of the Interior, Regional Solicitor's Office in Portland, Oregon. Duane was involved in negotiating our Water Rights settlement from the very beginning. He...
montanakaimin.com
Valley Press - Mineral Independent
Trotters realize net dream; advance to State B tournament
FLORENCE – Volleyball dreams can come true, if you believe, and perform best when it really counts. Now true believers in themselves after performing their best at the very best time, look who is going to State. The Plains Trotters exorcised the volleyball demons of tournaments past in Florence last week, ending a 27-year state tournament drought in Plains, winning second place and the west’s No. 2 seed into the State B portion of the Montana All-Class tournament at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman later this week. It is Plains’ first State B volleyball berth since way back in 1999. The Trotters open State B play at 4 p.m. Thursday against Shelby in the fourth match of the tournament. If the Trotters win versus Shelby they will face the winner between Jefferson County and Fairfield at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Brick. In the end, last week’s Western B tournament was not about that 27-year drought Plains had endured, it was about this year’s talented Trotters. Turns out that it was also a dream come true, a dream the team had dared to talk about before the season even began. “We have a large experienced group of seniors,” coach Kim
Char-Koosta News
Salish Kootenai College Announces Historic Name Change to Honor All Three CSKT Tribes
PABLO — Salish Kootenai College will change its name to Séliš Ksanka Qĺispé University (Salish Kootenai Kalispel/Pend d’Oreille) starting in 2027, marking a historic transition for the institution. This change not only reflects the school’s broadened academic scope, featuring a robust selection of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, but also honors the cultural heritage and sovereignty of the three Tribes of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT).
montanakaimin.com
Char-Koosta News
Local Artists Spend Fall on the CSKT Bison Range Through Open Air Residency
PABLO — Two local artists are spending the fall at the CSKT Bison Range as the first participants in a new artist residency hosted by Open Air, a Montana nonprofit known for place-based arts programs. Lydia McKinney and Mars Sandoval are in residence through November 21. The residency began...
Bigfork Eagle
Lake County Leader
Polson wins Western A Volleyball Championship
Three tournaments, three championships, and now the Polson Lady Pirates have their sights set on an even bigger prize. Polson capped an impressive run through the Western A Divisional Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 7, defeating Northwest A rival Bigfork 3-1 to claim the divisional championship at Hamilton High School. The Lady Pirates finished the tournament unbeaten, improving to 17-1 overall while collecting their third tournament championship of the season, following victories at the season-opening Tip-Off Tournament and midseason Blocktober Tournament. The championship also sends Polson into the Class A State Volleyball Tournament as the Western Division's top seed, giving the Lady Pirates an opportunity to build on last year's fourth-place state finish. The Lady Pirates had to work for their championship victory against Bigfork, which entered the tournament as the Northwest A Conference's top seed. After dropping the opening set 25-19, Polson regrouped and won three consecutive sets, 25-21, 25-21 and 25-23, to secure the title. McKenna Corley powered Polson's offensive attack with 17 kills while also recording seven solo blocks and one block assist. Embree Bird added nine kills, while Eliza Todd and Logan McCrea contributed seven apiece. Rylee Taylor-Jefferson directed the offense with 27 assists, while Kendyl
Lake County Leader
Polson alum takes on UM Western Bulldogs varsity, continues giving back to community
Mila Hawk, a Polson graduate, is kicking off another basketball season with the University of Montana Western, and this time she’s part of the starting lineup. Hawk is a red-shirt junior at UM Western and explained that from the moment she started playing college basketball, she’s been aiming to join a varsity program. Now, as a point guard, she’s earning valuable minutes on the court as her team opens the season with a 3–2 record. “It’s really fun and really cool to see all the work I put in pay off,” Hawk said. “I’m still battling to keep it; the job's not over, but it’s nice to be given an opportunity to play every game.” She began her college career at Carroll College on the junior varsity squad before former UM Western Coach Britt Cooper recruited her. After sitting out the following year due to transfer rules, Hawk started her sophomore year under new Head Coach Ryan Sullivan. Hawk explained that she was a backup point guard that year and got some good minutes. But that didn’t stop her from battling in every practice to prove she deserved her spot on the court. “I just kept working with my coach
Bigfork Eagle
NBCMontana
Char-Koosta News
CSKT Tribal Council Appoints New Pablo Representative
PABLO — On Tuesday, November 10, 2026, Levi Hewankorn was sworn into the Pablo representative seat on the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council that had recently been vacant. Tribal Chief Judge Brad Pluff was there to witness and sign the documents. After being sworn in, Hewankorn gave a...