Leader online - better and better

The Leader website is a crucial spot for our content. We love the way we can use it to complement the rest of the print product. If you're reading these blogs, you know that we're online all day, every day.
Today, because of the ever-growing presence of the Internet in daily life, we have to be cognizant of things like "print" product and "online" assets, or components such as articles, photos or PDF documents we can use to get information out on the web.
The reporters and I spent the afternoon getting trained on a new "content management" system called Blox that will allow us to continue to grow our online product. It's a system that will inable us to not only provide the content that you see in the print edition each, week, but things like photo galleries.
It will even, if all goes right, host our blogs on the front page so you can get updates, movie reviews and a taste of the past from the reporters throughout the week.
There isn't a set date that our new site will be launched. We're crossing our fingers that it's sooner rather than later.
Like I've said before, I find the Internet so exciting because it can only enhance the print edition, which in the end, I believe, remains the most crucial part of what a journalist does because it's the piece that will go down in history. A

A1 Oct. 29 preview

FINAL Oct. issue preview

I just finished editing the candidate surveys for the election coverage that will make up a bulk of the content in the final issue of October.
Polson, St. Ignatius and Ronan all have municipal elections on Nov. 3.
However, for the Polson residents, the big ticket item will be the resort tax yea or nay vote they'll get to cast on Tuesday.
We had a fairly high rate of return on the surveys (each candidate was asked the same questions and given the same deadline).
If you're unsure of who to vote for, there will be a great source of information straight from the candidates pens.
I can't wait for readers to dig into the Myths and Legends tab we put together. If you believe in ghosts, it's a good one. Spooked myself putting it together.
Aimee's got an update on the Metzger murder case. Allen Metzger's attorney has filed motion of dismissal because he says the scene was cleaned up before authorities had the proper time to investigate.
Metzger is accused of fatally stabbing James Finch in the Valley Club in August.
Aimee's also got a recycling story from St. Ignatius. Several classes have teamed up with an organization to help recycle throughout the valley.
Sasha's got a recap of the Polson vs. Ronan battle from last Friday, along with a great feature on the Ronan team that' has been so successful this year.
Heidi will have the rest of the coverage for our valley teams.
Take a look. It'll be there for you on Thursday.

Pirate impressive on volleyball court

I had the pleasure of watching the Polson volleyball team down the Libby Loggers 3-1 last night.
The first set was no contest. The full returning squad of Polson easily took care of
Libby, with senior power player Jackie Mee, who often got the best of Polson last year.
The Pirates bring with them this year a quick, offense-based attack that relies on some great serving (especially by junior Breanne Kelley's jump serving).
They effectively shut down the Logger offense.
Most impressive, and another huge improvement from last year, was the team's come-from-behind fourth set win. Digging in from a 8-14 deficit, the Pirates won 27-25 to seal the win. They are really fun to watch. This momentum should give them a great momentum boost going into the upcoming playoffs.
Heidi will have the full story in the Sports section next week.

Polson chamber survey results

The Polson Chamber of Commerce just sent the results of a survey asking residents several questions about the proposed resort tax. Just over 66 people (I got the impression it was mainly business owners and chamber members) responded. It's interesting to note how many believe some kind of revenue is needed to help improve the city. Yet, more said no to voting for the tax than yes. This debate over the "local option sales tax" will, if nothing else, continue to bring about discussion on how to best make Polson its best.
It's all about the money. Imagine that.

A1 Oct. 22 preview

What's coming up for Oct. 22

Already Monday again. We just had our budget meeting to disucss what we have in store for Thursday: Looks like it was a busy weekend for law enforcement officials. A rash of street sign thefts keep the sheriff's department busy and a attempted break in at Polson liquor stores is being investigated by Polson city police. Aimee said a break in at a St. Ignatius bar is also under investigation. We'll have the details.
Sasha has a flu update: how it's affected our schools and how to keep kids healthy. Look for that as lead on A1. He's also got Ronan news from the city council and an update on the proposed Highway 93 construction through the town.
I just finished writing the "tax talks" story, which recaps the information given and citizen reaction to the proposed resort town tax meeting held last Wednesday. The latest too on the postponed bridge resurfacing. Looks like the guys were back to work today. Let's hope the weather holds for them.
*We will have candidate surveys for the muncipal elections filling the Oct. 29 issue.

OK, this is hilarious

Reporter Aimee Niles found some reaally awesome old timey photos of cats dancing.

Really funny.

Bad bridge news

Just received an e-mail from Polson bridge project manager Nate McKinley who said, because of the cold weather, the projected end date for the project has been pushed back to Nov. 3 (originally it was slated to end on Oct. 22).
I think the snow is pretty much gone now, and Nate predicted crews would be back to work on Monday.
Read my full update here.

Resort tax info. meeting TONIGHT

Polson City Manager Todd Crossett will lead a presentation and question session beginning at 6:30 p.m. tonight in the Polson High School auditorium. The presentation will include the ins and outs of the proposed resort town tax headed for the Nov. 3 ballott.

Crossett has said at council meetings that he hopes it will help inform Polson residents before the vote.

The proposed tax aims to add tax relief and bring revenue to a town by placing a local option sales tax on certain “resort luxury” items. Towns must have a population of 5,500 or less, must meet several other state-outlined resort community ramifications and the tax must be approved by voters after initial council approval.

The Polson plan would include a 3 percent tax on the designated items. Polson’s version would apply to everyone, except those who are federally exempt, such as tribal members. It would be in effect year-round, with 20 percent going to property tax relief and 5 percent going to administrative fees. The remaining revenue would be spent largely on infrastructure improvements.

Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have yet to OK the tax.

A1 Oct. 15 preview

What to look for on Oct. 15

Well, it's a late preview, as swine flu has hit the Leader - I was knocked out with it this weekend. I did stay home until my fever was gone for 24 hours and don't think I got it as bad as some, but we're bracing for it to get the rest of us here.
We'll have a small update on how the schools around the area are fairing as the flu hits kids. Polson has had an upped number of illnesses, but it is not all H1N1.
We've heard Ronan Middle School is getting hit hard, but not closures and not plans to close schools as of now.
We're also wrapping up Homecoming coverage. Look for Arlee white and red to adorn A1. Sasha went down last week to note the festivities and talk to students and staff about how the four-day school week is working out. Seems to be a overwhelmingly positive response so far.
Sasha has also put together a story on the CSKT election primaries and what to look for there.
Aimee has a story on the dispute over whether the St. Ignatius acting chief of police is valid and what city officials are going to do about the dispute.
I got a chance to talk with state Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Ann Whiting Sorrell, who lives in Ronan during the weekends.
She was in town on Friday to promote Healthy Kids Montana, which is aiming to get all the uninsured children in the state covered.
She's a busy and very interesing lady - look for more about her shawls making and Sunday dinners in Home Of.
Thanks for reading - and stay healthy.

My thermometer

I know when it's time to turn up the heat when Gus gets under the Spongebob blanket. He signaled the coming of the frigid air last night when he spent about 2 hours under the fleece throw.
Polson got about 2 inches of snow on Thursday night, and it was a touchy drive to work for a lot of people. Rocky Point was very icy, the one lane of the bridge was pretty touchy as well.
At 10:20 this morning, it was 25 degrees, feels like 11.
Tomorrow it's supposed to get up to a high of around 36 degrees, with a brisk wind.

Calling all ghosts hunters

We're trying to put together a fun section for this year's Haloween edition and we want the stories of residents to fill it. Every once in awhile we hear stories about haunted houses and old buildings. There seems to be quite a few ghosts who walk the highways too, from what we've heard.
Now I don't believe so much in this kind of thing and am looking for someone to convince of the beings from the afterlife really "haunting' our county and reservation.
Every once in awhile things happen that make you wonder, but come on, it's a stretch isn't it?
Do you have any stories? Tell me why I'm wrong.
Cops and courts reporter Aimee Niles is looking into the existence of crop circles. Ever seen one of those? Apparently there have been sightings up near Whitefish.
People have also said the Salish Building on Main Street is haunted. Myth? Truth? I'm excited to find out.
Any myths, legends, sightings or stories you have, we want.
E-mail (editor@leaderadvertiser.com) or calling (883-4343) works. Seriously, let us know.

Winter in October

Included in the five-day forecast for Polson is a HIGH of 37 degrees on Friday, with morning snow showers and a low of 17 degrees.
Ouch.

A1 Oct. 8 preview

Oct. 8 edition preview

This week we had a tragedy in Pablo, when a young woman was killed in a trailer fire. We'll have the latest on that. The reason for the fire is still under investigation.
Also, I have an update on the Supercenter that may be coming to Polson, and another update on the Cornerstone investigation. The preliminary injunction against Kovick and Congdon was extended so their assets can continue to be inventoried. It's a huge job, but things are moving along so victims of the alleged fraud may be able to file claims to recover funds. Still, it seems like a long road ahead.
We've got some good stuff from Aimee: She had Home Of this week. It's an interesting story on a local women who competes in body sculpting competitions.
(If you have any ideas on who would be good to feature here, let us know - editor@leadadvertiser.com).
Of course, we've got results and photos galore for this last week in Mission Valley Sports. Polson volleyball got a great win over Libby last week, and the boys soccer team got a historic win over whitefish.
Ronan football continued its impressive drive through the season as well.
Now it's time to start putting the paper together- look for a preview of A1 tomorrow morning.