Valley Journal (Ronan, Mt)

02/21/2025

Man who shot at officer charged with homicide in suspicious death of Polson woman

News from Lake County Sheriff / Coroner Don Bell
POLSON — The man who was arrested for shooting at a Polson Police Officer on February 14, 49-year-old, Cameron Francis, of Gridley California, has been charged with deliberate homicide. Following the attempted homicide of the officer, Francis's girlfriend, 48-year-old, Kimberly Goodson was found deceased in her home in Polson. Autopsy performed at the State Medical Examiner's Office revealed that Goodson had been shot. Evidence gathered indicates that Francis killed Goodson shortly before fleeing the home and traveling northbound on Hwy 93 where the Polson Officer encountered him and attempted to stop him because he had no taillights. The cases remain under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff and Coroner's Office with support from Polson Police. Francis, who has a lengthy criminal history and several felony convictions, is being held in the Lake County Jail with bond set at $5 million.
We are thankful the Officer was uninjured in this event, and the Sheriff's Office extends our condolences to the family of Kimberly Goodson.
(Editor's note - read the full story in this week's, Feb. 26, newspaper.)

02/18/2025

Polson woman’s death under investigation

News from Lake County Sheriff Don Bell
POLSON — On Thursday, Feb. 16, 2025, at approximately 1 p.m., Lake County 911 received a call requesting a welfare check on a woman in Polson who hadn't been heard from by family for a few days. Officers responded and found the woman deceased in her home under suspicious circumstances. The Lake County Sheriff/Coroner's Office was summoned and have conducted a scene investigation. The decedent, identified as 48-year-old Kimberly Goodson, of Polson, has been sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy and the case remains under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff and Coroner's Office with the assistance of the Polson Police Department.

02/18/2025

Suspect arrested in Feb. 14 officer involved shooting

News from Lake County Sheriff Donald R. Bell - Sheriff
POLSON — On Friday, Feb. 14 at approximately 11:50 p.m., a Polson Police Officer attempted a traffic stop on a northbound motorist in the area of Hwy. 93 and Regatta Road. The driver and sole occupant of that vehicle immediately opened fire on the officer with a rifle. The officer, who was still in his vehicle, was struck by shrapnel, but was able to back up and avoid being shot.
All area law enforcement responded to this incident and began searching for the suspect who had fled northbound on Hwy. 93. A short time later, a citizen in Elmo reported a suspicious vehicle in the Elmo area. Officers responded and determined this to be the suspect vehicle. The suspect was subsequently located in the Elmo Post Office and identified as 49-year-old Cameron E. Francis of Gridley, California. He was arrested without incident and booked into the Lake County Jail for attempted deliberate homicide.
The Police Officer was treated by EMS for minor injuries and was not transported to the hospital.

02/06/2025

Human skeletal remains discovered

News from Lake County Sheriff-Coroner Don Bell
BUFFALO BRIDGE — On Tuesday, Feb. 4, at about 10:15 a.m., the Lake County Sheriff's Office was notified that a Tribal Game Warden had located skeletonized human remains in the Buffalo Bridge area on the Flathead River. Sheriff/Coroner Don Bell responded to the scene with other LCSO personnel, and it was confirmed that human remains had been discovered. The remains have been sent to the Montana State Medical Examiner for further investigation and identification. The case remains under investigation by Lake County Sheriff and Coroner's Office.

01/16/2025

Join Dr. Frank Tyro on Tuesday January 21st at the Salish Kootenai College Arlee/Charlo Theatre for the program “40 years of Observations of Arctic and Sub Arctic Travels.” The program is free to the public and sponsored by the Climate Hub at Salish Kootenai College. Snacks and drinks will be offered from 6-7 pm with the program starting at 7 and lasting approximately one hour.

Frank has 40 years of co-leading the Arctic Ecology Field Courses for the Great Bear Foundation (GBF), many years with renowned bear biologist Dr. Charles Jonkel.. He is currently President of the GBF Board. His extensive travels have included crossing the Arctic Circle in Svalbard, Alaska, Norway and Canada. He has a total of 56 years working in radio, film, and photography. He was the Media Department head at Salish Kootenai College for 32 years and received multiple awards for his extensive film work. He was also co-founder of the Flathead Lake International Cinemafest. After retirement from SKC, Frank founded Caribou Crossing with his wife, Dr. Lori Lambert and has been doing independent film and photography work since 2016. His presentation will include underwater video of beluga whales, polar bear somersaults, and clips from the award winning documentary on Dr. Charles Jonkel, “Walking Bear Comes Home.”

12/26/2024

31-year-old shot, killed Christmas morning in Polson

News from Lake County Sheriff / Coroner Don Bell
POLSON — On Christmas morning at approximately 3:30 a.m., Lake County 911 took multiple calls regarding a shooting in the area of 11th Avenue West in Polson. Polson police officers, Lake County Sheriff's deputies and Flathead Tribal Police officers responded and determined that 31-year-old, Sheldon Fisher, of Pablo, had been shot and killed during a disturbance involving multiple people. Arrests have been made including the suspected shooter who was located later the same day. Polson PD is continuing to investigate the matter with the assistance of the Lake County Coroner and Sheriff's Office.

11/20/2024

Montana Free Press, an incredible news asset for Montana citizens, has put together an interactive map that shows how Montanans voted in the General Election - precinct by precinct. Link is here for those interested:

MTFP’s interactive map shows this year’s election results at a neighborhood resolution.

11/06/2024

Unofficial 2025 Election results from Lake County:

10/23/2024

Public asked for help in finding missing Ronan woman

News from Lake County Sheriff Don Bell
LAKE COUNTY — On Oct. 14, the Lake County Sheriff's Office took a report that 54-year-old Danette Tenas, of Ronan, had not been heard from by friends or family since Oct. 8. Lake County Sheriff's Office personnel and Tribal Police officers were able to determine her last confirmed location was in a recreation area near Buffalo Bridge on Oct. 8. Danette had been with friends in that area and became separated from them after a breakdown had occurred on a vehicle they were operating. The friends she was with attempted to locate her, but eventually assumed she got a ride from other friends or people who were present in the area as this would not be out of the ordinary for Danette to do. Danette is not known to carry or own a cellphone.
Search efforts have been concentrated in the Buffalo Bridge area and have been conducted by Lake County Search and Rescue with help from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes as well as Flathead County Search and Rescue. Danette was last known to be wearing a denim jacket over a white shirt, denim shorts, and slide-sandals with white soles and a sparkly sequin top. She is approximately 5'8" and 140 lbs. with dark brown hair and hazel eyes.
Photos of Danette are included on this post. One was obtained from a local business's security footage and depicts how she was dressed on the last day she was seen. The other is a photo of her from around April of this year.
Though she typically lives in Ronan, Danette is known to be somewhat transient throughout the Mission Valley. If you are aware of Ms. Tenas's whereabouts, please contact the Lake County Sheriff's Office at 406-883-7301.

09/05/2024

UPDATE as of Sept. 6, 2024: Arrest made, body recovered in search for missing Ronan man

Regarding the disappearance of 67-year-old Ed Loder, of Ronan:

News from the Lake County Sheriff's Office
Following the report of Ed Loder going missing, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has been conducting an around the clock investigation with the aid of other agencies. This investigation led investigators to believe that Ed Loder was the victim of a homicide, and a suspect has been arrested. The identity of the suspect is 70-year-old James Lawrence, of Polson, who is being held in the Lake County jail for homicide and tampering with evidence. Lawrence has cooperated with the investigation which has resulted in the recovery of the body of Ed Loder as of 1:30 pm on Friday, September 6. Mr. Loder was recovered in the area of Twin Lakes, southeast of St. Ignatius. His body is being transported to the Montana State Crime Lab for autopsy.
This is the extent of the information that will be released to the public at this time. The Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our gratitude to the Montana Highway Patrol, Flathead Tribal Police and Game Wardens, Lake County Search and Rescue, Flathead County Search and Rescue and the many others not mentioned who aided in this investigation. We would also like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Loder.

ORIGINAL Sept. 5, 2024 post:
Sheriff's Office seeks information about missing person

News from the Lake County Sheriff's Office
On Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, at 12:30 p.m., Lake County 911 took a report of a missing person. The dispatch center was informed that 67-year-old, Edwin “Ed” Loder, of Ronan, was apparently missing and the assistance of the Sheriff’s Office was requested in locating him. (See Ed's photo in this post.) Through investigation, it was determined that the last confirmed contact with Ed was on Friday, August 30. The circumstances of the missing person are suspicious due to evidence being located near his home that led investigators to believe Ed may have been assaulted and injured. This evidence was located on Timberlane Road east of Ronan.
Lake County Search and Rescue have conducted an initial search with further search efforts planned for today, Sept. 5. The case remains active with the assistance of multiple area agencies. This is the extent of the information that will be released by the Sheriff’s Office at this time. If any member of the public has information regarding suspicious activity in the area of Timberlane Road from Friday, Aug. 30-Saturday, Aug. 31, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at 406-883-7301 (ext. 1) and we will follow up with you.

08/22/2024

UPDATE: Remains of missing mountaineer found

News from the National Park Service
WEST GLACIER, Mont. [August 26, 2024] – The body of missing mountaineer Grant Marcuccio, a 32-year-old man from Whitefish, Montana, was found by Two Bear Air at approximately 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 25. Cause of death is still under investigation, but traumatic injuries and location of the body are indicative of a fall.
Two Bear Air spotted Marcuccio from the air. He was found one-third of a mile east of McPartland Peak below the ridgeline between Heavens Peak and McPartland Peak. The body was transported to the Apgar horse corrals where Two Bear Air met the Flathead County coroner.
Marcuccio was last seen by his hiking party on Sunday, Aug. 18 at about 1 p.m. Marcuccio separated from his party to summit McPartland Peak alone and planned to rendezvous at a designated location. Rangers were alerted by the hiking party on Sunday evening that Marcuccio never made it to the rendezvous spot.
Two Bear Air and ground teams began searching on Monday, Aug. 19. US Forest Service also flew over the area and dropped off ground searchers.
Glacier National Park officials would like to thank North Valley and Flathead County Search and Rescue, USFS, US Geological Survey, Flathead County Sheriff’s Department, Two Bear Air Rescue, NPS staff and members of the public who provided tips.
Glacier National Park staff would like to express their sincere condolences to the family and ask that the public respect their privacy.

07/31/2024

Lake County Fair, grade realignment for Polson Schools, Cherry Festival and more in this week’s Valley Journal. Never miss a week! Subscribe today: https://www.valleyjournal.net/subscribe

07/30/2024

07/25/2024

Three lightning caused fires sparked during last night's storm

News from CSKT Division of Fire
The Haymaker Fire (pictured below) is located 6 miles southeast of Polson, MT in the Mission Mountains. This fire is burning in steep terrain with thick, dense timber and is currently 0% contained. Firefighters are attempting to access the fire this morning. Smoke jumpers and aviation have been ordered. Single Engine Air Tankers are assigned to this fire. There are no closures and no structures are threatened for this fire.

The Garceau Fire is a Type 4 incident located 17 miles west of Polson, MT. This fire is burning in timber and grass with downed fuel and is 95% contained. The Division of Fire Overhead, Polson Rurals, 1 DOF Dozer, and 3 Single Engine Air Tankers were able to catch this blaze. There are no closures and no structures are threatened.

The Irvine Fire is located 7 miles west of Polson, MT along Irvine Flats Road. This lightning caused fire was all grass. Polson Rural Engines along with Division of Fire Engines were able to catch this fire. It is 100% contained and currently on patrol status.

07/18/2024

Sloan’s Fire is 25% contained at 10 acres

News from CSKT Division of Fire
RONAN — A wildfire that started yesterday 12 miles west of Ronan is estimated at 10 acres and 25% contained. The Sloan’s Fire is believed to have been caused by individuals target shooting and is under investigation. The CSKT Division of Fire crews, Ronan and Hot Springs rural engines, 4 single engine air tankers and one dozer are aiding in suppression efforts. There have been no evacuations or closures and no structures are threatened at this time.

07/16/2024

The Valley Journal is looking to speak to living relatives of Leslie Griffith, the fisherman who caught the giant sturgeon out of Flathead Lake in 1955. Any leads are much appreciated! Thank you!

07/04/2024

Body of missing boater recovered

News from the Lake County Sheriff's Office
On July 3, 2024, at about 5:30 pm, divers from Missoula and Flathead County recovered the body of 36-year-old, Chad Hansen, of Missoula, from Flathead Lake. He was located in the area just north of the Narrows. Hansen had been missing since Friday, June 28 at about 9:41 pm when he was witnessed being separated from his boat in the same area where he was eventually recovered in 75 feet of water. Search efforts consisted of multiple teams and use of various technologies from around the region. Flathead, Missoula, and Kootenai County, ID, Sheriff’s Offices all lent personnel and equipment in the days-long effort. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office wishes to extend our most sincere gratitude to Flathead County Sheriff, Brian Heino, Missoula County Sheriff, Jeremiah Peterson, and Kootenai County ID, Sheriff, Bob Norris, their respective Search and Rescue Teams, and Lake County Search and Rescue for the efforts and expertise of their teams.
The body of Chad Hansen was transported to the Montana State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy. The Sheriff’s Office expresses our condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Hansen.

05/21/2024

News from the Lake County Sheriff's Office:

To the Citizens of Lake County,

As you may be aware, we are on the eve of Lake County withdrawing its consent to bear the costs of PL280, a law which provides that the State, and therefore my Office, have jurisdiction over Tribal Members who commit felony crimes. Because it has been widely publicized, I will not elaborate on the historical or ongoing political environment surrounding this issue. It is my intent to inform the community that after Lake County withdraws its consent to participate in PL280, it does not divest my Office of my authority, or my obligation to ensure peace and order within our community. This Office, and our Deputies will continue enforcing the law in the same manner we have under the PL280 arrangement for decades. Following discussions with the Lake County Commissioners, it has been determined that we will begin tracking expenses and billing the state for these expenses related to enforcement under PL280. I swore an oath to protect this community and want the community to know that withdrawal of consent from PL280 changes nothing in terms of the Sheriff’s Office response to crime and disorder in the county.

Respectfully,

Donald R. Bell - Sheriff