Ellington

Firemen's picnic a slam dunk

ST. IGNATIUS - Hundreds turned out to the Old Town Field last Saturday for the 16th Annual St. Ignatius Volunteer Fire Department Firemen's Picnic.

Creativity flows at Charlo Art Camp

CHARLO - Pop bottles and scraps of fabric usually end up in the trash, beans and glue aren't normally found at the same table and a room full of quiet fourth and fifth graders is a shock to many parents and teachers.

Free food, fun and fitness

PABLO - Summer is finally here. While a relief for kids, this time of year can provide additional worries for many area parents who still work full time.

Home of: Leslie Tower

Tom and Bonnie Eddy are relatively new full-time residents to Polson, but their familial connections to the area go much deeper than that.

News briefs, July 1

Growingthunder earns scholarship

Letters to the editor, July 1

Reintroduction of the wolf

Home visiting

This is public health

Notes from the newsroom

Holiday safety

High ropes

The eyes of fifteen-year-old Taylor Grant told the story.

Sunset riders

With the Polson Fairgrounds providing a breathtaking backdrop, local rodeo athletes shine

Firecracker fundraising

POLSON - While the Mission Valley Mariners will be trying to win on the field during the Firecracker Tournament this weekend, they'll also be trying to win off it. Money raised from the Firecracker Tournament helps the team pay for improvements to their home stadium, Legion Field.

PYSA finds complex site

POLSON - The Polson Youth Soccer Association is moving another step towards their goal of having a soccer complex to call home.

Mutton but fun

Ah. mutton-busting.

Q&A: Cameron Milton

The Leader sat down with golf pro Cameron Milton to talk about his unique job.

Softball roundup, July 1

Purple Wave gets fourth

Rockies capture second

MISSOULA - The Pioneer Daze tournament in Missoula had no shortage of runs scored over the weekend, something the Mission Valley Rockies took advantage of to bring home a second-place trophy.

Pitching propels Mariners

LIBBY - The Mission Valley Mariners had a good pitching weekend.

Sports briefs

Men's league results

Fairground projects continue

RONAN - The Lake County Fairgrounds are getting a face-lift thanks to a number of community members and youth organizations stepping up to donate their time and a little bit of old fashioned elbow grease.

Law enforcement and court records, July 1

Lake County District Court, Judge McNeil presiding

Births, July 1

Schiele-Auld; BigDay; Morigeau

Senior news, July 1

St. Ignatius

Community notes, July 1

Sunday,

Mission Mountain PRCA Rodeo

Pictures taken by Sports editor Brandon Hansen at the 2010 Mission Mountain PRCA Rodeo on Polson June 25-27.

Pet parade

Pets of all colors, shapes and sizes paraded on downtown Polson Friday afternoon during the Mission Mountain PRCA Rodeo and Pet Parade on June 25, 2010.

Updated: Crash site found with bodies

A determined search ended grimly Wednesday when the wreckage of a small plane was found on a rugged, remote hillside southwest of Dixon.

Local woman accused of embezzlement

POLSON - Law enforcement officials are seeking a 52-year-old Charlo woman who allegedly embezzled more than $600,000 from Whitefish Credit Union.

Mission Mtn PRCA Rodeo and Pet Parade

Where tears and smiles collide

The 14th annual Lake County Relay for Life proved to hold every emotion

Polson airport gets visit from the past

POLSON - Visitors from around the valley converged on the Polson Airport to take a look at unique, antique airplanes visiting town Saturday morning.

Main street concerns raised

POLSON - The majority of the public present at Monday night's city council meeting were interested in the Downtown Business Association's presentation of the $1,000 raised to help patch up Main Street. Many concerned citizens spoke about the possible damage to Polson's reputation and economy if the street remains in its current state. Jackie Cripe, of Jackie M's Footwear, addressed the commissioners, saying that some people have refused to bring their cars to the car show because they fear they could be damaged due to Main Street's condition. Sharon Procopio also spoke, saying that several out-of-state customers had commented on the negative state of the street just that afternoon. She also mentioned her concern that the Valley Cruisers Car Show could stop coming to Polson, an event which provides the businesses of Polson much needed revenue.

Ratzburg receives pharmacy award

POLSON — The Montana Pharmacy Association is pleased to announce that Ernie Ratzburg of Polson has received the association’s prestigious “Bowl of Hygeia Award” on June 5 at their Annual Business Meeting. Ernie is currently the Manager of Safeway Pharmacy in Polson.

Deadline nears for property tax reviews

LAKE COUNTY — Taxpayers who did not already file for an informal review after receiving their 2009 property assessments, and those tax payers who will not get another assessment notice for 2010, have a second chance to file for an informal review of their 2009 property assessments.

FWP urges water safety while boating

FLATHEAD LAKE — While out on the lake this summer, Fish, Wildlife and Parks urges all boaters to practice water safety, especially the use of life jackets. A simple thing can save a life.

New space for Loaves and Fishes

POLSON — The new 3,840 square foot Loaves and Fishes food pantry doesn’t look like it’s predecessor.

Seely enters guilty plea

POLSON — A Hot Springs man filed a guilty plea last Thursday in District Court to charges stemming from a standoff with law enforcement one month ago.

Fresh produce on the door step

LAKE COUNTY - Like all good farmers, Julie Pavlock wants her produce to arrive fresh and seasonally to her consumers. Not only does the food taste better that way, but also the costs to both the consumer and the environment are significantly lower. Locally grown, organic food may cost more at time of purchase, she said, but the money stays in the area, helping the local economy thrive.

Bikes for books

LAKE COUNTY - The Montana Masonic Foundation and Mission Valley Lodge No. 78 are pleased, once again, to participate with area schools in our "Bikes for Books" program to promote reading and public education. Public education has long been a focus for the Montana Masonic organizations and during the early days of Montana, it was common for the local Masonic Lodges to construct two story buildings with the Lodge meeting on the upper floor and the lower floor provided to the community for the school. A prime example is the historic Bannack Masonic Lodge/school house at Bannack State Park.

Rotary donates to city parks

POLSON - A $15,000 donation from the Polson Rotary Club has city parks director Karen Sargeant ready to get to work.

Plum Creek mill hosts auction

PABLO - Monte Jennison never thought he'd be back at the Plum Creek sawmill, but that's exactly where he found himself last Thursday morning. As he walked through the rain and stopped by his old work station, Jennison, of Polson, remembered life before the mill closed. Employed there for 20 years, Jennison had not been back since nearly a year earlier when the mill officially shut down. Rick Dennison, his friend and former co-worker, called him up asking for help loading some items he had purchased the night before at the mill's auction.

The clutch is all here

Release of 20 yearling swans bolsters return of species in Mission Valley

Roaming free: Four added to Wild Horse herd

WILD HORSE ISLAND — Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks released four wild horses into Wild Horse Island’s Skeeko Bay Wednesday afternoon.

Home of: Shane McMillan

RONAN — Shane McMillan’s leaving on a jet plane and he doesn’t know when he’ll be back again.

News briefs, June 24

Leader takes home seven accolades

Polson BOE confronts roof issues

POLSON — At the Polson Board of Education meeting Monday, long-term planning was the main topic of discussion.

Charlo BOE discusses phones and prices

CHARLO — Cell phones and athletic tickets were the hot topics at last Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting in Charlo.

Letters to the editor, June 24

Food safety act

Important mail-in ballot

Among other things

"Fiddler on the Roof" sells out twice

RONAN — Some people from out of state, and even in Montana, might express the feeling that there’s no real live theater in Montana. Beginning with the various venues: The Opera House Theater in Phillipsburg, Bigfork Summer Playhouse, Whitefish Theater Company, The Playmill Theater in West Yellowstone, Shakespeare In The Parks touring throughout Montana, Billings Studio Theatre Company, Equinox Theatre Company in Bozeman, Port Polson Players here in Polson, and that’s just the beginning. It seems that real live theater does exist in Montana. Many other productions are played, as well.

Law enforcement and court records, June 24

Lake County District Court, Judge McNeil presiding

Births, June 24

Perez, Morning Star, Pospishil, Jaeger, Gainan

Community notes, June 24

Thursday, June 24

Senior news, June 24

Polson senior news

Mariners sweep Mavs

Bagnell throws one-hitter

Benson leads off life after high school

POLSON - Staci Benson's softball career didn't begin with softball at all. Instead, she played hard ball with the guys before she was old enough to attend kindergarten.

Polson FC wins state

GREAT FALLS - The Polson FC U19 boys soccer team made a dominant run to the Montana State Cup championship last weekend in Great Falls.

Wave get silver

GREAT FALLS — The 12U Purple Wave continue to improve on the season, wrapping up the tournament in Great Falls with a second place finish.

Babe Ruth baseball roundup

The Senior Babe Ruth Mission Valley Rockies were busy traveling to Clark Fork this weekend for a road victory. On the home front, the three all-star teams for Babe Ruth were named along with the coaching staffs.

Sports briefs, June 24

Team Roping Championships

Spring sports siblings: seeing double

LAKE COUNTY - Editor's note: This is the third in a series of three articles about siblings participating together on spring sports teams.

Fourth quarter honor rolls

*Editor's note: Following are lists provided by each school

Noyes sinks hole-in-one

Nine year-old Cale Noyes, 9, and his older brother Dalton Noyes, 14 were at the Silver Fox Golf Course in Pablo with their father Wade Noyes when Cale hit his first hole-in-one. Dalton has been instructing his younger brother on the finer points of golf and also hit a hole-in-one when he was eight. 

Auction at Plum Creek

PABLO — Monte Jennison never thought he’d be back at the Plum Creek Saw Mill, but that’s exactly where he found himself last Thursday morning. As he walked through the rain and stopped by his old work station, Jennison, of Polson, remembered life before the mill closed. Employed there for 20 years, Jennison had not been back since nearly a year earlier when the mill officially shut down. Rick Dennison his friend and former co-worker, called him up asking for help loading some items he had purchased the night before at the mill’s auction.

Happy retirement Joe McDonald

Salish Kootenai College's president retires after 34 years

Saved by the belt

POLSON - Officer Brian Kunz of the Polson Police Department honored Polson area citizen Doreen Trusler last Wednesday with the Saved By the Belt Award.

Fishing for all

WOODS BAY - One-hundred anglers with disabilities braved the choppy waters for a fun-filled day of fishing on Flathead Lake last Thursday during the 17th annual Fishing Without Barriers Day.

Splash softball tournament

Pictures taken by Sports editor Brandon Hansen at the Splash softball tournament June 11-13 in Polson.

Babe Ruth baseball tournament

Photos taken by Brandon Hansen of the Babe Ruth baseball tournament June 11-13, 2010.

Baby Blanket Day a success

POLSON - St. Joseph Medical Center is honored to deliver about 175 babies each year. Each of those new babies is wrapped up in a special flannel receiving blanket to go home.

Ronan burglar changes plea

POLSON — A Ronan man accused of committing a string of burglaries last summer came to a plea agreement with county prosecutors that will reduce the 18 charges originally filed against him.

Home of: Jim Gilhouse

RONAN — Jim Gillhouse remembers the first day of school at K. William Harvey Elementary School. He was teaching at the old Ronan Elementary School at the time.

St. Luke employees give first-aid kits

RONAN — The seven Ronan police cruisers and two Lake County Search and Rescue units now have first aid kits courtesy of the St. Luke Foundation Employee Giving Program.

More changes for fire board

POLSON — A veteran rural fire board trustee resigned at last Wednesday night’s monthly meeting as changes continue to ripple through the board after the results of the May 4 election saw two incumbents deposed.

Grizzlies appear around county

RONAN — Grizzly bears have started to make their annual debut around northwestern Montana.

Counting bald eagle nests

Bald eagle survey counts reveal one of wildlife's greatest comeback stories

Wild Horse Island gains four horses

WILD HORSE ISLAND - Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks released four wild horses into Wild Horse Island's Skeeko Bay Wednesday afternoon.

Community notes, June 17

Thursday, June 17

Senior news, June 17

Arlee senior center

Law enforcement and court records, June 17

Lake County District Court, Judge

News briefs, June 17

Note from the Chief

Engagements, June 17

Sattler/Becker

Births, June 17

Brodie Caldbeck

Relay for LIfe

Notes from the Newsroom

Government update

Report from Helena

Letters to the editor, June 17

Soup’s On thanks

Rockies reach perfection at tournament

POLSON - For a few moments, it looked like the Polson Pirates might plunder the Mission Valley Rockies' undefeated season. They had knocked off the Ronan Warbirds earlier that day, 13-9, for the right to play in the championship game. They had held the powerful Rockies in check for most of the afternoon after losing 10-0 to them the day before. They had clawed back in the bottom of the seventh to tie things up 3-3.

Splashdown

Lake County softball teams excel, fall just short of championship

Mariners enjoy good weekend

LEWISTOWN - The Mission Valley Mariners had a successful weekend and will need many more as the team gets ready to enter the stretch part of the season. They're on the right track after going 3-1 in the Lewistown Redbird Round Robin.

Spring sports siblings

Softball sisters

Rodeo stars off to nationals

BOZEMAN - Several Lake County rodeo athletes competed at the Montana High School Rodeo Association State Finals last weekend and five of them will be moving on to nationals.

All-star finish for Love

BUTTE - June 5 was Steve Love's last football game as a coach.

Strain shows at Ronan BOE

RONAN - Tensions rose at Monday's Ronan school board meeting as trustees approved sending a letter to the Lake County Attorney's Office concerning Gale Decker's positions on the county and school level.

Brent Arthur Wilson omnibus June 10, 2010

UPDATED: Rollover north of Arlee kills one

ARLEE - An Arlee man is held at the Lake County Jail after a fatal vehicular accident early Friday morning on U.S. Highway 93.

Honor the Earth shines light on issues

PABLO - Salish Kootenai College's Johnny Arlee/Victor Charlo Theater hosted a panel on environmental justice last Saturday. Honor the Earth, a not-for-profit Native-led organization from Minneapolis, Minn., established by now Executive Director Winona LaDuke and Indigo Girls Amy Ray and Emily Saliers sponsored the event.

SKC 2010 graduation

Salish Kootenai College graduation ceremony on June 5, 2010.

Polson graduation 2010

Pictures from Polson High School graduation 2010 as taken by reporter Sasha Goldstein.

Hatchlings face chilly conditions

LAKE COUNTY - Vacationers in the Mission Valley aren't the only ones hoping for warmer, drier, weather. Area pheasant and grouse populations are also in need of friendlier temperatures.

It's grasshopper time

LAKE COUNTY - For the past six years, Sanders and Lake Counties have been infested with economically damaging grasshopper numbers and, because of that, land owners, agriculture producers, even lawn and garden people, are finding the nuisance hard to control.

Cherry season blossoms

YELLOW BAY - Early spring means Flathead cherries, that delicious fruit so beloved in northwestern Montana, are still a ways off. But warm weather and sunshine means cherry blossoms are out in full around the lake, a reason to celebrate the coming season by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Yellow Bay Clubhouse on May 15.

Home of: Erika Nunlist

Erika Nunlist is one of many area graduates who has walked the stage, received a diploma and tossed their mortarboard hats in the air during the recent weeks. She is one of a very few in Lake County, though, who graduated in just three years, rather than the traditional four.

Jocko Valley trails roll on

ARLEE - The Jocko Valley Trails Committee held an open house on May 24 in the Arlee High School cafeteria.

One year later: The Ronan track

RONAN - Nearly a year after construction began on a new football and track and field facility at Ronan High School, questions still remain about its completion and future use.

News briefs, June 10

DNR office move

Letters to the editor, June 10

Ronan High School thanks

Glimpses of 1979

Among other things

Law enforcement and court records, June 10

Lake County District Court, Judge

Senior news, June 10

Polson senior news

Community notes, June 10

Thursday, June 10

Births, June 10

Selena Cherai Heavy Runner

A night to remember

Students lace up gloves, provide thrills to raise money for local athletics

Walkway cemented in tradition

POLSON - The idea for the Polson Stadium Walkway came all the way from the state of Ohio, in the mind of Buck Young nearly 13 years ago.

Familiar ground

CHARLO - Moriah Gilmore wants to make it to nationals.

Riding off to nationals

HAMILTON - After countless weekends of training and competing, three area middle school students will be competing at the Wrangler Division Junior Rodeo National Finals in Gallup, N.M. on June 27 after strong performances in the state finals.

Spring sports siblings

It's a family affair when it comes to area athletes on the tennis court

New sports editor wants to apologize

So I have to be up front with everyone about this. I've had more than just a tiff or two with Montana Grizzlies fans.

Unofficial Lake County election results

Lake County, MT Primary Election Final Unofficial Results

RESULTS: Runners take to street

POLSON - Waking up early on a brisk Sunday morning where one would be more comfortable in a coat than shorts, over 100 dedicated runners lined up near the Polson softball fields for the Second Annual Alpha Upsilon Torch Scholarship Run.

Memorial Day: more than camping and candy

LAKE COUNTY — Lake County’s celebrations began in Polson with the traditional Memorial Day parade. It took off in a spitting rain, but the candy-seeking kids lining the streets didn’t seem to mind. The holiday, which dates back to the Civil War, is the day Americans set aside to commemorate their fallen soldiers.

Arlee Graduation 2010

Pictures from the 2010 Arlee High School Graduation on May 27 in the Arlee old gym.

2010 Ronan Graduation

Pictures taken by reporter Ali Bronsdon at the 2010 Ronan High School Graduation on May 27.

Taking school outdoors

KICKING HORSE - A little bit of rain and a whole lot of mud couldn't keep Ronan seventh and eighth graders from having fun at the 23rd Annual Rendezvous last Thursday.

Paper-chain pledges

POLSON - Paper chains aren't just for Christmas time.

News briefs, June 3

Williams graduates from Leadership Montana

Court roundup, June 3

Fisher released

Skatepark still needs help

ST. IGNATIUS - Blood, sweat and tears are just a fraction of what Kristie Nerby has given to the Skate Ignatius skatepark in St. Ignatius.

Letters to the editor, June 3

Jay Doyle

World No Tobacco Day

This is Public Health

Law enforcement and court records, June 3

Lake County District Court, Judge McNeil presiding

Sheriff and county commissioner candidate surveys

LAKE COUNTY — On Tuesday, June 8, many candidates are up for election during the primary election. Those positions up for vote include sheriff, county commissioner, U.S. House District 1, State Senate District 8, State House Districts 11, 12 and 15, and various county-wide positions.

Senior news, June 3

St. Ignatius senior

Polson girls' tennis takes second

BILLINGS - A strong showing at the state championship tournament last weekend netted the Lady Pirates a second place trophy in Class A, the best finish in school history for the tennis program.

Ronan responds at track

LAUREL - The Ronan-St. Ignatius track and field team took 14 competitors to the state meet in Laurel last weekend.

Sports briefs, June 10

Sports briefs

Charlo boys finish second

GREAT FALLS - The Charlo track and field team wrapped up an impressive season by leaving it all on the track this weekend at the State C meet in Great Falls.

Polson track queens

LAUREL - By some accounts, track and field is an "individual" sport. While athletes may compete in their own lanes or throw, vault and jump one-at-a-time, it was nothing short of a total team effort that won the Polson Lady Pirates a state track and field title Saturday in Laurel.

Polson softball takes crown

BILLINGS - Staci Benson knew this feeling, she had been there before. The senior knew how it felt to be in the state softball championship game. In 2007, Benson was on Polson's championship squad and told this year's team "you don't know how good it is until you're there," head coach Larry Smith said.