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 btiskus@leaderadvertiser.com or 406-883-4343.
Recent Stories
Ronan bakery specializes in gluten-free goodies
Carrot cake is the best seller at Karen Joslin’s gluten-free bakery on Ronan’s Main Street, and it looks luscious – moist, two layers of tender cake, and creamy white icing. She also makes bread, pies, muffins, cinnamon rolls and cookies.
A clean sweep: Longtime Polson School District janitor Marvin Bjorge retires
After sweeping and mopping acres of floors, and scrubbing, dusting, painting, vacuuming and mowing his way across Linderman Elementary School and Polson Middle School, Marvin Bjorge hung up his broom and paintbrush and retired from Polson School District after 34 years and one month.
New Polson art mural is for the dogs
Spotted dogs, tall dogs, short dogs, fluffy dogs, even cow dogs came to the ribbon cutting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday for “It’s a Dog’s World,” the newest art mural in Polson.
Massive Ronan mural evokes tribal culture, local scenery
A massive 120-foot-long mural with a red-winged blackbird as big as a quarter horse, wetlands, a blue heron, the Mission Mountains and a golden eagle fills half of the brick wall reaching from the corner of Main Street in Ronan down 4th Ave. S.W. to the alley. The other half reflects Salish and Kootenai culture.
Neighbors worry forthcoming casino near Polson could impact traffic safety
The intersection of Rocky Point Road with U.S. 93 north of Polson is always busy, especially during the summer months as lakeshore residents struggle to get on and off the highway. It’s likely to get worse with construction vehicles entering and exiting the highway from Irvine Flats Road where building has begun on the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ new casino, 400 Horses.
Backcountry group shares love of the wilderness with Lake County youth
Mules Lucy, Sadie, and Suzy, and Charlie, a horse, were all tied to the fence at Hobbyhorse Place, north of Polson, waiting for something to do on a recent Saturday. That something was about 20 children coming to a mule packing, camping, backcountry event put on by the Mission Valley Back Country Horsemen.
Dog Tag Buddies brings healing to Pablo veteran
A gabled house with a killer view of the Mission Mountains is where Bill and Janet Austin and their dogs, Gretchen and Zippy, call home.
Ronan business uses high-tech oven to 'cook' wood
About a month ago, a new oven arrived in Ronan that weighs 84,000 pounds. It took two or three cranes to unload the beast and maneuver it into its new home at Tech Woods USA on Terrace Lake Road.
Ronan business teacher wins state award
The annual Educators Conference, held Oct. 17-18, saw Ronan High teacher Heather Gray reconnecting with other teachers and career educators across Montana.But there was an added surprise: Gray was named Montana Career and Technical Educator for 2024.
Community comes together to build group home in Ronan
Several dozen volunteers were swarming the building site for Jake's House during the second weekend of August, carrying boards, sweeping concrete, putting in floor joists, wheeling equipment about and installing a subfloor.
Gianforte, Dayton students initiate Big Arm Archery Range
Governor Greg Gianforte launched the first arrow, followed by a group of Dayton Elementary students last Wednesday during the official opening of the Big Arm Public Archery Range.
Polson’s Little Shop Montana blends vintage and new finds
The Little Shop Montana, which recently moved from Highway 93 to Polson’s Main Street is a pleasure to explore.
Fairgrounds offers sanctuary to fire evacuees
When mandatory evacuations for Walking Horse Lane and Early Dawn Road and adjacent areas near Big Arm were announced last Thursday afternoon by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Vicki Holmberg, Polson Fairgrounds caretaker, was immediately on the phone with people seeking shelter for their animals and places to park their campers and RVs. When she wasn’t on the phone, she was showing people where to put their animals.
'Big fruit year' say cherry growers
Flathead cherry season is here, and lots of sweet, juicy cherries are ripe and ready to eat. “Big fruit this year,” said Bruce Johnson, a board member of the Flathead Cherry Grower’s Co-op. “Lots of size, and lots of stands are open.
One dead in two-vehicle crash south of Polson
A two-car crash on June 19 at about 5 p.m. resulted in the death of one of the drivers. The vehicles collided at mile marker 58, which is near the intersection of U.S. 93 and Ridgewater Drive, south of Polson.
Former Polson police chief pleads not guilty in drunk driving case
Jeremy Morigeau, attorney for former Polson Police Chief Wade Nash, entered a not-guilty plea to a DUI charge on behalf of his client on April 26 in Justice Court.