Ellington

HOLIDAY CHEER: Ronan Christmas Choir Concert 2014

HOLIDAY CHEER: Ronan Christmas Parade 2014

Kindness COUNTS: Linderman school students rewarded for being good citizens

Well-behaved second- and third-grade students, laden with Linderman Bucks, buzzed around Linderman gym last Thursday, trying to choose the best way to spend them.

PRAYERS ON HIGH: Ronan sky is lit up with lanterns and prayers

Charlo’s Marian Dunnwebber wanted to spread the holiday cheer across the Mission Valley.

A Sense of Touch: Local moms learn art of baby massage

Ciera Kennedy rubbed her son’s chin and listened to him gurgle his appreciation while turning his head from side to side.

Irrigators still not sold on water compact

WATER COMPACT

Reacting to a water compact agreement between state officials and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Flathead Joint Board members brought forth resolutions for state legislators Tuesday.

Lived to Fly: Pablo Foods owner in critical condition

PLANE CRASH

Brett Allen Thoft, 33, died just south of Polson last week, just a few miles from the Irvine Flats ranch where he grew up.

Found Guilty: Browning man found guilty in Polson murder

POLSON MURDER

Makueeyapee Whitford stabbed and killed John Pierre Jr. after Pierre launched into the bad-blood history between the two men’s Indian tribes, said Montana State Public Defender Jennifer Streano.

Plane crashes in West Pablo today killing one

One fatality was reported moments before 5 p.m. today after a plane  crashed in Pablo west, according to scanner traffic. Located on a hill behind some residences, the white plane is believed to be carrying two people in need of medical attention.

POLSON 2014-15 Boys Basketball Preview: Northwestern A Pirates

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEWS

1) 2013-14 SEASON RECAP

Tribes, state reach new deal on water

Montana officials have reached a new agreement on a water compact with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock and Attorney General Tim Fox announced Thursday.

Should Lake County taxpayers be forced to spend millions on a new courthouse and jail?

A Christmas story: One story of idyllic wonder and genuine love during the holiday season

POLSON – Warm golden light cloaked everyone in attendance. Girls in fancy dresses and boys in button-up shirts sat in the laps of their cross-legged mothers while others sat on the knees of their parents, grandparents, great grandparents and family friends in chairs, stools and lining the rich fireplace hearth.

RHS S&D team 2nd in Corvallis

The Ronan High School Speech And Debate team took second place in Class B Speech & Debate Sweepstakes Dec. 6 and 7 at the Corvallis Two-Day Invitational Tournament.

Linderman gets defibrillator

Chubby Chicks Basketball for Heart was on the scene to demonstrate how the AED (Automated External Defibrillator) works and Ethan McCaulley was the patient to be worked on.  

SENIOR NEWS: Dec. 11

RONAN

LAKE COUNTY DISTRICT COURT: Dec. 3-4

From the bench of District Court Judge Deborah Kim Christopher

LAKE COUNTY JAIL ROSTER: Dec. 8, 2014

Johnson, Rachel Rae

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Through Dec. 17

THURSDAY. DEC. 11

Lake County Christmas Services

St. Andrew’s Episcopal

Polson gets a miracle

PORT POLSON PLAYERS

‘Miracle on 34th Street’ runs through Dec. 14. The show features 35 Mission Valley performers including (pictured here), Dana Grant as Kris Kringle, Grace Simonich as the little Dutch girl, and Elves, Ashley Alexander, Anya and Bella Smith. This classic holiday tale kicks off

Celebration of Light draws 242 nativities

POLSON – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints was at the center of a two-day Christmas celebration extravaganza Dec. 6 and 7 that offered participants the chance to drink in the awe of the Christian Christmas celebration.

Senator weighs in on Hell Gate Treaty

GUEST EDITORIAL

The claim of the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) for off reservation water rights on rivers in the CSKT Compact is based on the 1855 Hell Gate Treaty, Article III:  “The exclusive right of taking fish in all the streams running through or bordering said reservation is further secured to said Indians; as also the right of taking fish at all usual and accustomed places, in common with citizens of the Territory, and of erecting temporary buildings for curing; together with the privilege of hunting, gathering roots and berries, and pasturing their horses and cattle upon open and unclaimed land.”

Coffee-time puzzlers

At your next coffee break, here are some questions you might discuss – and answer:

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Church bells

Bell ringer Tricia Campbell demonstrates how to make the bell ring to Paul Lacey after Sunday’s Chancel Choir and Copeland Memorial Handbell Ringers Christmas Concert at the First Presbyterian Church in Polson.

Dentists sealed the deal

KIDS GET FREE TOOTH SEALANT

LAKE COUNTY – After Dental Hygienist Travis Fisher placed a pair of sunglasses on her eyes and two cotton rolls in her mouth, Linderman fourth-grader Lily Niblack looked like a very cool little vampire.

Felons here skip lots of jail time

PROBATION: FIRST IN A SERIES

LAKE COUNTY – The judicial process allows most Lake County felons the opportunity to skip a lot of jail time and return to the streets much sooner than their sentence prescribed.

Area group to receive $3.6M over five years

SUICIDE PREVENTION

LAKE COUNTY – A Lake County suicide prevention non-profit will receive $3.6 million in federal funding to help further reduce the number of suicides in Lake County.

LEADER SPONSORS ANNUAL PARADE OF LIGHTS

Polson Art Walk showcases local talent

POLSON – About a dozen artists from all over the area flocked to Main Street Friday night to showcase their work at the annual Polson Art Walk and Parade of Lights being held simultaneously.

Lake County Jail Roster

Johnson, Rachel Rae

Lake County District Court

From the bench of District Court Judge Deborah Kim Christopher

The Leader office is one of your drop-off points for Toys for Tots

Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity is the fund raising, funding and support organization for the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.

Coat giveaway needs donations

POLSON – For 14 years, employees at America’s Best Value Port Polson Inn closed one of their rooms and opened their doors to charity.

Polson students shine at UM world issues debate

MISSOULA – Polson High School’s Model United Nations team recently returned from the 49th annual Montana Model Untied Nations Conference. The conference was held at the University of Montana from November 24-25, 2014. It was attended by 380 students from 19 Montana and Idaho high schools.

Big Arm hosts holiday events

The Big Arm Association will host the following events:

COMMUNITY CALENDAR: Through Dec. 9

FRIDAY. DEC. 5

Editor will wait for judgement

The editor of the Lake County Leader will have to wait to find out if three misdemeanor charges against him will be dismissed.

LAKE COUNTY SENIOR NEWS: Dec. 4, 2014

POLSON

OBITUARIES Dec. 4, 2014

Theresa A. Gano

Light of the World Celebration this week

POLSON – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will host an open house from 2 to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 and 7.

Polson Health ready to open new clinic

POLSON – Soon, more area patients who must brave long drives out of Lake County to receive specialized out-patient care can stay closer to home.

Agency receives $1M for business development

MONEY TO LEND

RONAN – An historic series of grants amounting to more than $1 million will allow a local agency to expand its services to many more farmers, ranchers, business owners and produce consumers in Lake, Sanders and Mineral counties.

Tribes closer to purchase

KERR DAM

LAKE COUNTY – NorthWestern Energy closed the purchase of Kerr Dam and 10 other hydroelectric facilities previously owned by PPL Montana.

Cold toes at the Turkey Trot

The Polson Running Club sponsored the Seventh Annual Polson Turkey Trot 3-Mile Fun Run on Thanksgiving Day.

Ronan High School Q1 Honor Rolls

SENIORS

Two valley cowgirls earn buckles

Skylar Frame, of St. Ignatius, was awarded a buckle from the Montana Red Angus Association for her Grand Champion Breeding Beef and Grand Champion Carcass Beef.

LAKE COUNTY JAIL ROSTER

WHO'S IN JAIL?

Engavo, Tifani Anne

Accused attacker misses arraignment

WARRANT ISSUED

ST. IGNATIUS – Police believe Gene Adams beat his pregnant girlfriend for the fourth time Oct. 5, sending her to St. Luke Community Hospital.

Pirate pints

Health care worker Stacie Craig prepares to draw blood from Polson High School senior Jaiden Toth at a recent Red Cross Blood drive at the campus.