Ellington

MHSA sets sites for some postseason events

The Montana High School Association had an executive board meeting Thursday to set sites for winter sports postseason events.

Polson woman convicted of murdering former boyfriend

A jury of eight women and four men found Danielle Jeanette Wood, 56, of Polson, guilty of deliberate homicide Friday afternoon in the death of Thompson Falls resident Matthew LaFriniere.

Wood trial: Attorneys make closing arguments; jurors deliberate

A jury of eight women and four men began deliberating early Thursday afternoon the fate of a Polson woman accused of killing her ex-boyfriend in 2018 during an ongoing custody dispute involving their daughter.

FLIC 2021 features world, North American premieres

The ninth annual Flathead Lake International Cinemafest (FLIC) comes to Polson this weekend.

Time Capsule:Winter campout

This week in Lake County news archives.

Letters to the Editor: HB 102 versus school safety

Letters to the Editor for Jan. 28, 2021.

Polson’s Berkley Ellis earns TATL award

Berkley Ellis, a senior at Polson High School, is the most recent recipient of the Today’s Achievers, Tomorrow’s Leaders award from Kalispell Regional Healthcare and the Lake County Leader.

Legals for January, 28 2021

Jury poised to begin deliberations in deliberate homicide trial

THOMPSON FALLS — Jurors hearing the deliberate homicide case of a Northwest Montana woman accused of shooting her ex-boyfriend in May 2018 are expected to begin deliberations sometime Thursday.

Lake County settles lawsuit over tribal tax breaks

Lake County commissioners have agreed to settle a lawsuit that alleged the Montana Department of Revenue erroneously gave property-tax exemptions to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Sheriff releases ID of Polson man killed in crash on Back Road

The crash was first reported just before 10:30 p.m. Saturday.

Sports Calendar/Scoreboard Jan. 28-30

Lake County high schools sports schedules and results.

Chiefs show resolve in win over Loggers

You can’t say the Ronan boys haven’t been tested.

Lady Pirates return to action

The Polson girls basketball team finally returned to action Thursday night at Salish Kootenai College after sitting idle for two weeks and missing three games.

Wrestling Roundup: Pirates draw even with Dillon

The Polson wrestling team stood toe to toe with Dillon during a four-team home meet at the high school gym on Friday night.

Master fundraiser David Mirisch featured in FLIC documentary

How does one go about raising over $35 million for good causes?

FLIC: Normandy celebrates American G.I.s in D-Day Documentary

“The Girl Who Wore Freedom,” a feature-length documentary screening at this weekend’s Flathead Lake International Cinemafest (FLIC), is a pride- and tear-inducing reminder of what freedom is, and how it is earned.

Public meetings, Jan. 28 to Feb. 4

Lake County government and school meetings for Jan. 28 to Feb. 4, 2021

Basketball Roundup: Pirates remain unbeaten

The Pirates basketball team embarked on a key road swing in their schedule Thursday and came away with big wins at Stevensville and Whitefish.

Jurors hear cellphone analysis in Wood homicide trial

Two witnesses with backgrounds in analyzing cellphone data testified how one device belonging to deliberate homicide suspect Danielle Wood allegedly was in use with another phone investigators believe she used in attempt to dupe law enforcement officers.

Polson police officers honored

The Polson Police Department recently honored several officers for exceptional service to their community in 2020.

Robert “Bob” Charles Wilkinson, 70

Robert “Bob” Charles Wilkinson, avid fisherman, lover of country music and classic cars, embarked on his eternal fishing trip the morning of Jan. 11, 2021.

Lawrence (Larry) Carl Gauthier, 74

Lawrence (Larry) Carl Gauthier passed away early in the morning on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021.

Polson swimmers excel at Kalispell

Mason Sloan took first place in the 200-yard freestyle and second in the 100 breaststroke

Marlene Edith Riebe, 74

Marlene Edith Riebe, born Jan. 24, 1945, passed after a long illness, surrounded by her children and grandchildren on July 9, 2019.

Polson teen dies in traffic crash near Pablo

An 18-year-old Polson man died in a one-vehicle traffic crash Saturday night near Pablo.

Lawmakers hear arguments on transgender healthcare, abortion in controversial week

Anti-transgender bills draw opponents

Birth Announcement

Lake County birth announcements for Jan. 28, 2021.

FVCC announces fall dean’s list

Flathead Valley Community College officials have announced the names of students who made the dean’s list for the fall 2020 semester.

Lake County District Court actions, Jan. 20

Lake County District Court Judge James A. Manley

Ronan man dies in traffic crash on U.S. 93

A Ronan man died Thursday evening in a head-on traffic crash on U.S. 93.

Prosecutors say phone records link Wood to homicide

State investigators probing the 2018 shooting death of Matt LaFriniere allege cellphone records link ex-girlfriend Danielle Wood to the crime.

Prosecutors present evidence in Wood deliberate homicide case

A writing in the margin of a religious study book found inside a deliberate homicide suspect’s vehicle was probably the standout detail of Thursday’s testimony in the Danielle Wood trial.

Mary Elizabeth Peterson, 85

Mary Elizabeth Peterson, 85, passed away Jan. 18, 2021 at Lake View Care Center in Bigfork.

Nicholas George Tomlanovich, 77

Nicholas George Tomlanovich was born to Nicholas Joseph and Mary Helen Tomlanovich on Oct. 11, 1943 in Rhinelander, Wisc. and raised in Eagle River, Wisc.

Gen Huitt’s 'Missing' honors MMIW

Genevieve (Gen) Huitt, a Salish member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and lifelong singer/songwriter, recently released a new song in honor of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW).

Letters to the Editor: Let's work together

Jan. 21, 2021 letters to the editor.

Guest column: Looking down the dark tunnel

In these turbulent times, it is difficult to definitely predict our future as a people and nation.

Guest column: Resort tax is Polson’s best option

In 2015 the city of Polson asked local citizens to volunteer for the Economic Development Council.

Guest column: Prioritize safety when legislating gun rights

I have been studying House Bill 102, the new bill that was just passed in the Montana House.

Guest column: Montana’s Indians deserve a better budget

Native communities have been disproportionately hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic, and many of us have lost loved ones to this virus.

Guest column: You can testify at Helena from home

As we finish up the second week of the legislative session it is not business as usual in Helena due to COVID-19.

Lake County real estate sales, prices jump in 2020

Sales increased significantly, leaving inventories of available properties diminished, and rentals are nearly impossible to find.

Time Capsule: Ice sailing away

This week in Lake County news archives.

Legals for January, 21 2021

Wood trial: Jurors hear how friend found murder victim’s body

Friends, coworkers and family members of murder victim Matt LaFriniere knew it was very unusual when he didn’t come to work on the morning of May 3, 2018.

Local students earn fall honors at Whitworth University

Two with local ties land on Provost's Honor Roll.

Birth Announcement

Lake County birth announcements for Jan. 21.

Public meetings, Jan. 21-28

Lake County government and school meetings.

Senior Center Calendars

Events and meals this week in Polson and Dixon.

Sports Calendar/Scoreboard Jan. 19-26

Lake County high school results and schedules for the week of Jan. 19-26

Testimony begins in Thompson Falls deliberate homicide trial

Testimony began Tuesday at the Sanders County Courthouse in the long-awaited trial of a Northwest Montana woman accused of killing her ex-boyfriend nearly three years ago.

Gun bill debate leads to tense confrontation

The Montana Senate will now consider a bill that would greatly expand where concealed weapons can be carried in Montana after the House of Representatives passed House Bill 102 along party lines.

Pirates improve to 4-0

Sophomore guard Jarrett Wilson recorded five steals, almost all coming at or near midcourt and leading to an easy bucket for the home team.

Maidens roll past Lady Loggers

Ten Maidens contributed points against Libby. Areanna Burke led the way with 12.

Basketball Roundup: Charlo girls off to solid start

The Lady Vikings outscored their opponents 164-60 in the three wins and improved to 4-0 on the season.

COVID-19 vaccination moves to Phase 1B

Tribal Health continues to work with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and to advocate for available allocations of COVID-19 vaccinations for our community.

Ronan wrestlers fall to Lions, handle Bulldogs

At Ronan last Tuesday, the Chiefs split their wrestling duals, falling to the Eureka Lions 39-30, but winning their cross county clash with Mission-Charlo 51-6.

Bills on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People face uncertain future

In Montana, where Native Americans make up 6.6% of the population, they comprise 26% of all missing person cases.

Judy Joy Granley Thingelstad, 74

Judy Joy Granley Thingelstad, 74, passed away Jan. 15, 2021 at Hidden Meadow Memory Care.

Tribal Health temporary closes Ronan clinic

Tribal Health is redirecting some staff by temporarily closing the Ronan Health Center.

UM Western announces fall honors lists

The following students from the Lake County area made the University of Montana Western fall semester 2020 Dean’s List or the President’s 4.0 List.

Paul George Metzger, 97

Paul George Metzger, 97, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 at his Ronan residence to join his wife, Anne.

Briefs: Dixon man dies after being struck by vehicle

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has released the identity of a pedestrian who died after being struck by a vehicle on Jan. 6.

Return of the resort tax

Polson voters will get their say once again, but the idea has hit a dead end in the past

The city’s general fund simply can’t cover the costs of rebuilding the city’s streets.

Polson woman's deliberate homicide trial begins

Nearly two years after her arrest, testimony in the trial of a Polson woman accused of murdering her ex-boyfriend in Thompson Falls in 2018 began Tuesday.

Charlo Grocery marks a century of service

A primary glue that keeps any town together is its downtown businesses, and Charlo Grocery has served that role for a century or so.

Domino's Pizza coming to downtown Polson

Jeremy McMillan is building a new Domino’s Pizza on Main Street in downtown Polson literally from the ground up.

AARP honors popular driving instructor Clara Sipe

Clara Sipe of Polson Senior Center was recently named Montana 2020 Driver Safety Instructor Volunteer of the Year.

Letters to the Editor: True threat exposes itself

Jan. 14, 2021 letters to editor.

Time Capsule: Luedtke sets record

This week in Lake County news archives.

Legals for January, 14 2021

Birth Announcements

Lake County birth announcements for Jan. 14, 2020.

Marjorie Ann (Ridnour) Rollins, 85

Marjorie Ann (Ridnour) Rollins, 85, passed away Jan. 5 at St. Luke Community Hospital.

Sports Calendar/Scoreboard, Jan. 14-19

Sports Calendar/Scoreboard, Jan. 14-19

Death Notice: Robert Wilkinson, 70

Robert “Bob” Wilkinson, 70, of Polson passed away on Monday, January 11, 2021 at St. Patrick Hospital.

Public Meetings, Jan. 14-21

Lake County government and school meetings.

Senior Center Calendars

Activities and meals calendars for Polson and Dixon.

Ronan speech and debate sixth in Miles City event

The Ronan High School speech and debate team competed in the Miles City Virtual Tournament on Saturday.

One arrested after report of gunfire in Ronan

Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to a reported disturbance near Fourth Avenue Southeast on Sunday night

Johann (John) Ortgies, 77

Johann (John) Ortgies, 77, of Redmond, Ore., passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020 of lung cancer.

Death notice: Donna Ruth Ackom, 72

Donna Ruth Ackom, 72, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2020.

Bulldogs' rally stalls

Mission finishes strong in 59-57 loss to Thompson Falls

The Mission Bulldogs opened with a flurry and closed with a furious rally, but ultimately came up just short Friday night at home against conference rival Thompson Falls.

Scarlets struggle in opener

Florence-Carlton sweeps doubleheader at Arlee.

Basketball Roundup: Pirates nip Hamilton at buzzer

The Polson boys squeezed out a 30-29 win against Hamilton that went down to the wire.

Wrestling Roundup: Pirates overpower T-Falls

Chiefs sweep conference clashes

Polson swimmers debut at Havre

Pirate swimmers fared well by placing among the top two slots.

LCCDC now known as Mission West Community Development Partners

The Lake County Community Development Corporation recently made some changes and is doing business as Mission West Community Development Partners.

High School Sports Scoreboard, Jan. 2-12

Local prep sports schedules and results.

View from the Library: Welcome, Felicia

January has finally arrived and with it has brought us our new youth services librarian, Felicia Gill.

Polson Chamber accepting Community Awards nominations

Award categories are: Nonprofit Organization of the Year, Polson Leadership Award, Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Business of the Year.

Your smiling eyes

During the darkest time of what most consider a difficult year, it may feel like we are alienated from our own community.

Polson agrees to settlement in wastewater project lawsuit

Swank Enterprises had sought $1.54 million from the city and the project’s engineering firm, DOWL Engineering.

LCCDC brings on two new development center directors

Lake County Community Development Corporation (LCCDC) Executive Director Jim Thaden recently welcomed new directors for two of the economic development organization’s branches.

Letters to the Editor: Call for irrigation commissioner resignations

Jan. 7, 2020 letters to the editor

Time Capsule: Giant pheasant or fake news?

This week in Lake County news archives.

Legals for January, 7 2021

Lake County reports 18th covid death as active cases ebb slightly

On Monday officials announced Lake County’s 18th covid-related death.

December marriages

From Lake County District Court

Lady Bulldogs hold off Maidens

The visiting Maidens and the host Lady Bulldogs engaged in a classic confrontation whose outcome hung in the balance until the final buzzer.

Prep Roundup: Chiefs cruise against Bulldogs

The Chiefs built a huge early lead over the visiting Mission Bulldogs and held on for a 66-52 victory.

Polson Senior Center meals and events

Polson Senior Center meals and events.

Public meetings, Jan. 7-14

Lake County government and school meetings for the week of Jan. 7-14.

Briefs: SKC Foundation launches Penny Kipp Endowment

Also: Big Arm woman named to McDaniel College dean's list; Flathead Audubon offers program on oddball fish

Birth Announcements, Jan. 7

Snč̓ĺép Ray Bourdon, Stetson Shane Molzhon

“Concept to Consumer” food business workshop on tap

“Concept to Consumer,” a one-day course for anyone considering starting a food business, will be offered free of charge.

St Luke’s welcomes first baby of 2021

St. Luke Community Healthcare’s New Beginnings Birth Center in Ronan announced the birth of the first baby for 2021.

Amanda Lynn Dodson, 46

Amanda Lynn Dodson nee Allen came into this world on March 14, 1974, the third child of Sandra Rae Davis and Richard Wayne Allen.

Death Notice: Betty M. Hertz, 82

Betty M. Hertz, 82, of Charlo, passed away Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021.

Blanche Eunice Shodo Johnson, 91

Blanche Eunice Shodo Johnson, 91, passed away Dec. 24, 2020, at home with family.

Tribal Council ratifies water rights compact

The Tribal Council of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes unanimously ratified a water rights compact with the state and federal government during a Dec. 29 meeting.