KRISTI NIEMEYER
Kristi Niemeyer is editor of the Lake County Leader. She learned her newspaper licks at the Mission Valley News and honed them at the helm of the Ronan Pioneer and, eventually, as co-editor of the Leader until 1993. She later launched and published Lively Times, a statewide arts and entertainment monthly (she still publishes the digital version), and produced and edited State of the Arts for the Montana Arts Council and Heart to Heart for St. Luke Community Healthcare. Reach her at editor@leaderadvertiser.com or 406-883-4343.
Recent Stories
Primary Profiles: Four Republicans seek county commission seat
Three Republicans, Wes Baertsch, Max Krantz and Josh Senecal, are vying for the Lake County Commissioner seat currently held by Gale Decker, who is also running for reelection. Since no Democrat filed for that office, the outcome will be decided by those who vote the Republican ticket in the June 4 primary election.
Two special district races end in tie votes
According to unofficial results, last Tuesday’s election for special districts and school board trustees yielded two ties. Patrick Lennon and Rhonda Walter each collected 106 votes for the one seat available on the Chief Cliff Fire District board. At the other end of Lake County, James “Tyke” Allaire and Anthony Hoyt each received 38 votes in their quest to serve as a director on the Arlee Water and Sewer Board.
Pharmacy in the Family: Ernie Ratzburg inspires great niece
Newly minted pharmacist Madeline Hellinger recently worked side by side with her great uncle, Ernie Ratzburg – the longest-working pharmacist in Montana with 60 years beneath his crisp white jacket.
Mercer appointed to 20th Judicial District Court
Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike McGrath was at the Lake County Courthouse Monday to administer the oath of office to Polson attorney John Mercer as he donned a black robe and the responsibilities of a District Court judge.
Woman arrested after fatal head-on crash
A fiery head-on crash at the north end of the Armed Forces Bridge in Polson Sunday killed one motorist and injured another.
County breaks ground on new Dave Stipe Annex
Family members of former Lake County Commissioner Dave Stipe helped break ground last Tuesday on the new 15,000-square-foot Dave Stipe Annex. Swank Enterprises is general contractor on the structure, which is going up on the corner of Fifth Ave. E. and First St. W., southwest of the existing courthouse.
Candidate Profiles: Senate District 46
Lake County voters face only two contests at the local level in June’s primary. On the Democratic side of the ballot, voters from Ronan south will choose between Jacinda Morigeau and C.B. Pearson, who are each vying to represent Senate District 46. The winner will face Republican candidate Charles Headley in the general election.
Olive Branch: AG says state will consider funding for PL 280
Whether fueled by election-year largesse or Lake County’s impending withdrawal from Public Law 280, Attorney General Austin Knudsen delivered some long-awaited good news Monday. The office of Gov. Greg Gianforte, he said, “has authorized me to convey to you folks they would sign a bill through the Legislature that provided some law enforcement funding for Lake County.”
Olive Branch: AG says state will consider funding for PL 280
Whether fueled by election-year largesse or Lake County’s impending withdrawal from Public Law 280, Attorney General Austin Knudsen delivered some long-awaited good news Monday. The office of Gov. Greg Gianforte, he said, “has authorized me to convey to you folks they would sign a bill through the Legislature that provided some law enforcement funding for Lake County.”
Students plant cherry trees in honor of Arbor Day
A dozen kids in Nicole Camel’s eighth-grade WEB class gathered at Boettcher Park Friday to plant a trio of flowering cherry trees. The Polson Middle School students are continuing a pre-pandemic tradition of planting trees in city parks on Arbor Day.