Ellington

Tribes preparing three-day Bison Range celebration

Tribal leaders are planning events at the Bison Range and Salish Kootenai College the weekend of May 20-22.

Former Polson Mayor Lou Marchello dies at 78

He owned an operated The Crow's Nest on Main Street for 50 years.

Construction of Council on Aging transportation hub begins

The new facility to be built across Highway 93 from the Ronan Town Pump will provide five offices, a conference room, and a bus barn.

County joins effort to restore passenger rail service

Lake County has signed on to an effort to restore passenger rail service through the southern half of Montana.

Legals for April, 28 2022

Spring permit burning begins May 1

Permits are required to burn from May 1 to June 30.

Sports calendar and scoreboard

Sports calendar and scoreboard, April 26 to May 1

County Superintendent Hall receives state award

Lake County Superintendent of Schools Carolyn Hall received the state’s County Superintendent of the Year award last weekend at Lewistown.

Mariners blast Belgrade, fall to bucs

Alex Muzquiz had seven hits in two games Sunday.

Tennis Roundup: Polson, C-Falls dual nearly washed out

Torrin Ellis and Noah Trosper were boys singles winners for Polson.

M-A-C softball steamrolls T-Falls, Deer Lodge

M-A-C improved to 8-1 with the victories, and will head to the Frenchtown Invitational this weekend on a roll.

Track and Field Roundup: Lady Pirates dominate 800 at Iceberg

Polson’s Drifter Skillicorn placed fifth in the boys long jump with a mark of 20 feet, 2 inches.

Charlo’s Shenyer claims Rohrenbach Scholarship

Jessica Shenyer intends to study psychology at Montana State University.

Authorities arrest 13 in Polson drug sweep

Law enforcement agencies from throughout the region converged Monday to serve warrants on three Polson homes as part of a drug investigation.

Lady Pirates unravel against Wildkats

Disaster struck for Polson in the third.

Bio station director joins National Academy of Sciences

Jim Elser is the first person from UM inducted into the prestigious academy, and only the second in the history of Montana.

Former racetrack manager sentenced for wire fraud

Craig Mark Draper, 55, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty in December.

St. Ignatius chosen for Farm to School program

The program will kick off with a three-day summer retreat, where teams will develop one-year action plans.

Familiar names vying for Spring Mack Days lead

Kolton Turner leads Jason Mahlen by five entries in overall standings.

Community notes: Polson church to hold spaghetti fundraiser for cancer patient

Lake County community events and news of note.

State officials issue warning regarding bird flu

Montana officials are warning poultry owners and the general public to take precautions against the avian flu including keeping poultry inside and taking down bird feeders.

Lake County District Court actions

Lake County District Court

Lake County Justice Court actions

Lake County Justice Court

Senior Center Calendars

Events and menus for Polson, St. Ignatius and Dixon.

Lee Roy McCollum, 90

In 1949, at age 18, he enlisted in the Army and would represent his country in Okinawa.

Lake County Public Meetings, April 27 to May 5

This week's Lake County government and school meetings.

State awards $500,000 to tribes via substance abuse HEART Fund

The fund invests $25 million per year to provide for a full continuum of substance use prevention and treatment programs for communities.

Public education: a national birthright

Located directly between Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, Montanans are proud to recognize our land of natural splendors as the nation’s “Last Best Place.”

Guest column: Former Democratic PSC members endorse Repke

As former members of Montana’s Public Service Commission, with a combined 32 years of service, we have watched closely — and noted with dismay — the current PSC pronounced decline into an institution that is failing Montanans.

Cynthia Colianni, 64

She enjoyed crafting and selling her beautiful handmade crafts at festivals in Trout Creek.

Mathew Steele, 49

He attended Arlee Elementary School, Arlee High School and Two Eagle River School.

Ballots out for Polson school bonds, board seats

The school board seeking $32.2 million for the elementary district and $17.7 million for the high school district.

Swan K02 a wildlife management success story

The March 24 issue of the Lake County Leader featured a picture of a Trumpeter Swan with an interesting background.

Polson considers youth curfew law

A past ordinance was removed from city code by accident in 2017.

Farm tour connects kids with agriculture

Northwest Counties Farm Bureau members Josh and Sarah Senecal took a day to share their ranch experience with students and parents from Mission Valley Christian Academy last week.

Workshop to address new city business license

The proposal was first publicly discussed during an initial workshop on Jan. 26.

Letters to the Editor: ‘Awakening’ concerts a community effort

Letters to the editor for April 21, 2022.

Legals for April, 21 2022

Photos: Hunting Easter eggs in the Mission Valley

The eggs were bountiful, and the baskets were (mostly) full.

Melva June McClain, 86

June and Keith operated a cherry orchard at Yellow Bay for over three decades.

Sports calendar and scoreboard

Sports calendar and scoreboard, April 19-26

Bigfork teams sweep chilly Dilly Bar meet

The Bigfork/Mission boys and girls pairings claimed the Dilly Bars.

Softball Roundup: Lady Pirates blank Ronan, Libby

Mission-Arlee-Charlo tops Plains-Hot Springs, but weather forces postponement of Florence game.

Tennis Roundup: Ronan hosts Mission, Whitefish

Weather forces cancelations for Polson, Mission.

Mariners open with win at Kalispell

The Mariners outhit the Lakers 9-6 at Griffin Field.

Authorities identify kayakers who died at Swan Lake

Both are from Flathead County.

Pirates’ Kaden Nelson to kick for MSU-Northern

Polson High School senior Kaden Nelson signed a letter of intent to play football at MSU-Northern in Havre during a special ceremony Monday.

Community notes: Tribal Health to host Earth Day climate event at SKC

Day hike at Big Arm also set for Earth Day.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza found in wild birds in Montana

The virus was detected in a snow goose from Canyon Ferry and a Canada goose from near Belgrade last week.

Paul (Stuckenschneider) Talisman, 74

He graduated from Polson High School in 1965.

Ol' Man Winter makes it tough on Mack Days anglers

Kolton Turner of Kalispell continues to lead the Top Ten category with 836 entries.

Lake County District Court actions

Lake County District Court

Dorothy Salomon, 83

She was one of the top-selling Avon representatives in the western United States.

Gary Joe Burrafato, 39

Gary Joe Burrafato, 39

Senior Center Calendars

Events and menus for Polson, St. Ignatius and Dixon.

Report: 'Yellowstone' production injects $70 million into state's economy

The report found that Montana has experienced growth in television and film in the last 10 years, with 122 productions filmed in 2019.

Searchers recover bodies of missing teen kayakers in Swan Lake

The teens went missing Thursday after their kayak capsized in Swan Lake.

Lake County Public Meetings, April 20-28

This week's Lake County government and school meetings.

NBA royalty expected at Gray Wolf Peak Casino sports bar grand opening

UM great Michael Ray Richardson among five former NBA stars coming to Evaro.

MSU to host summer journalism camp for rural high school students

Applications are due by Wednesday, June 1.

FWP fixing error in drawing process for elk permits

After deer and elk permits were drawn Thursday, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks uncovered an error in the drawing process.

Swan Lake kayakers missing following wind storm

Report of two kayakers struggling in the water about 1,000 feet from shore called in Thursday afternoon.

Polson native Beatrix Frissell earns Truman Scholarship at UM

Frissell is the first Truman Scholar to come from UM since 2014.

UM’s Kyiyo Pow Wow set for April 22-23

The last two years, the powwow has been cancelled altogether, or held virtually, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bigfork to compete in Class A beginning in 2023-24

The move was just one of many announced after the MHSA’s Executive Board meetings Monday and Tuesday.

Guest column: To protect our parks, invest in infrastructure, don’t limit public access

National Park Week was April 16-22, a timely reminder to get outdoors and appreciate the beauty that God bestowed upon our country and in particular, Montana.

Guest column: Judicial activism at work in recent court ruling

A Republican response to recent ruling blocking new election laws.

Polson’s Xavier Fisher receives leadership award

Fisher, a senior, is both an honor roll scholar and a highly successful athlete at Polson High School.

Birth Announcements

Lake County birth announcements for April 14, 2022.

Letters to the Editor: Stay focused on what matters

Letters to the editor for April 14, 2022.

Legals for April, 14 2022

One dead after tactical team responds to Ronan; suicide suspected

Authorities responded to a residence in the area of Grizzly Drive, east of Ronan, following a report of an assault just after 7:30 a.m.

Port Polson Players open 47th season with 'The Curious Savage'

The show runs from April 22 through May 1.

Service notice: Tim and Leo Driscoll celebration of life

Please join us for a joint celebration of life for our brothers, Tim and Leo, who both passed away in late 2021.

Hot Springs man killed in collision with logging truck

A 74-year-old Hot Springs man was killed after crashing into a logging truck near St. Regis on Monday.

St. Ignatius woman receives suspended sentence for fatal crash

The case stems from a fatal two-vehicle crash in September 2020 on Highway 93 near Ravalli.

Kalispell woman pleads guilty to negligent homicide, theft

The 2020 crash in Pablo claimed the life of Darlene Wilder of Polson.

Arlee woman pleads guilty in fatal Pablo crash

The victim, Ryan Lefthand, 35, of Ronan, was killed instantly.

Ronan man pleads guilty to burglary, assault

Polson police responded to a report of a stabbing victim at St. Joseph Hospital on Nov. 20, 2021.

Arlee librarian honored for commitment to college prep

Smith is viewed as a leader among Montana GEAR UP’s stakeholders for her commitment to excellence.

Four weeks in, Kolton Turner leads Mack Days leaderboard

More than 11,000 lake trout entries have been recorded so far this spring.

Polson siblings enjoy another successful ski season

The Northern Division recognized Otto at its annual end-of-year awards ceremony at in Bridger Bowl.

Class B/C teams converge for Dave Tripp Memorial in Polson

Twenty-one class B and class C schools competed, including Arlee, Charlo and Two Eagle River.

Softball Roundup: Lady Bulldogs hold off Maidens

Ronan and the host Lady Bulldogs engaged in a classic cross-classification county clash.

Tennis Roundup: Polson netters cool off on chilly weekend

Lundeen, Smith and Morrison win singles matches against Dillon.

Community notes: Cowboy Ball gets back in the saddle

Also: SKQ Dam overlook to open Friday.

Four candidates apply for 20th Judicial District vacancy

State will accept letters of support for applicants through May 11.

Sports calendar and scoreboard

Sports calendar and scoreboard, April 12-17

District court blocks new voting laws

A Billings judge temporarily suspended four new election laws passed by Republicans in 2021, saying the plaintiffs make a compelling case that they’re unconstitutional.

NILE Merit Heifer program accepting applications

Applications are due June 30.

Lake County District Court actions

Lake County District Court

Lake County Justice Court actions

Lake County Justice Court

Senior Center Calendars

Events and menus for Polson, St. Ignatius and Dixon.

Lake County Public Meetings, April 13-21

This week's Lake County government and school meetings.

Montana marijuana industry sees strongest month yet in March

The adult-use or recreational market saw its most robust month yet in March, with $15.9 million in sales as compared to $13.5 million in February and $14.1 million the month before.

Northwest ag profitable despite geopolitical tension and rising input costs

Northwest Farm Credit Services' the Northwest’s quarterly Market Snapshot reports covering the state of major agricultural commodities.

Katherine Schnase, 102

In 1954 Orville and Kate bought a farm/ranch west of Charlo.

St. Ignatius man, mother plead guilty to roles in fatal crash, cover up

Saul BlackWeasel of Polson died in the January 2001 crash at age 18.

Blackfeet Council removes chairman after family drug arrests

The Blackfeet Tribal Council in Montana voted Thursday to remove its chairman from his leadership role after nine people were arrested on drug-related charges following a search at a residence the chairman owns.

Bob Larsson recognized as state's longest serving hunter ed instructor

At the 2022 workshop, several instructors were awarded for service milestones, ranging from five to 65 years.

Guest column: Senators' wolf column ignores vitriol toward the species

Sens. Steve Daines of Montana and Jim Risch of Idaho recently blasted U.S. Interior Sec. Deb Haaland for her opinion piece questioning how states are managing their wolves.

Birth Announcements

Lake County birth announcements for April 7, 2022.

County seeks mill levy for cemetery projects

Commissioners said the impact for a homeowner whose home is valued at $200,000 would be $8.10 each year for the two-year period.

Letters to the Editor: Thank you for your support

Letters to the editor for April 7, 2022.

Legals for April, 7 2022

Polson firefighters return to Seattle for stair climb event

The climb is 69 flights, 1,356 steps and 788 feet of vertical elevation.

Guest column: Follow the science, law regarding wolves

Idaho and Montana’s successful recovery of the gray wolf was a significant achievement in species conservation.

Guest column: PSC requires a dose of integrity

I am running for PSC commissioner for District 5 because I have the experience necessary to competently represent Montana ratepayers and I will bring professional, honest leadership to the PSC.

Joseph Gerald Brooks, 77

He served as the Ronan city foreman and on the Ronan City Commission and Lake County Joint Airport Board. He also started several businesses in Ronan.

Ronan tennis opens season against Columbia Falls

The Ronan tennis team started its season at home Tuesday, with both the boys and girls teams falling to Columbia Falls.

Polson hosts police training event

Participants completed a QRF Basic Course from March 28 to April 1.

Class action suit filed over Lake County jail conditions

Plaintiffs allege that the jail is “dangerous, unhygienic, and overcrowded …” and that jail policies discriminate against Native American inmates.

Lady Bulldogs off and running

The Lady Bulldogs mashed their way to three lopsided victories last week, to go with a loss at home to Frenchtown on March 31.

Maidens open with win at Stevi

Ronan scores seven runs in the season's first inning.

SKQ Dam overlook to open April 15

Gates to the observatory will open April 15 each year and close Oct. 15.

Bio station tracks river health in real time

Rivers and streams are akin to arteries and blood vessels in a human body, so monitoring the metabolic respiration and production rates of Earth’s freshwaters can help us understand the overall health of our planet.

Community notes: Polson Shooters hosting annual dinner at VFW

A roundup of upcoming Lake County community events.

Guest column: Why I’m running for Lake County sheriff

If elected, I plan to work with the drug task force and send deputies to the necessary training that will equip them to better assist the community.

Guest column: We’re here to answer COVID-19 questions

The providers at St. Luke’s Community Healthcare believe strongly in the value and safety of vaccines.

Sports calendar and scoreboard

Sports calendar and scoreboard, April 5-9

Mission Valley Choral Society concerts this weekend in St. Ignatius, Polson

“The Awakening” of many lifting their voices in joyous song, after a couple of quiet years, is happening this weekend.

Gianforte initiates Flathead Reservation land exchange

The state is looking to exchange for lands with better public access and greater revenue generating opportunities for Montana public schools that benefit from state trust lands.

View from the Library: Egg hunt registration underway

Workshop on self-publishing set for April 26.

Study explores inequity of modern camping reservation systems

UM researchers find the nation's park system is strained by the exploding popularity and struggling to find ways to balance park protection with equitable access to all.

Weather chills early Spring Mack Days numbers

A total of 9,039 lake trout entries have been turned in so far by 159 anglers.

March marriages

Lake County marriages for March 2022

Lori Ann Trogden, 61

She was a devoted mother and grandmother whose legacy will forever live on.

Lake County District Court actions

Lake County District Court

Doughertys celebrate 50th anniversary

Matt and Nancy Dougherty of Polson recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Senior Center Calendars

Events and menus for Polson, St. Ignatius and Dixon.

Lake County Public Meetings, April 7-14

This week's Lake County government and school meetings.

Polson tennis splits with Stevensville

Sierra Lundeen and Hope Morrison won their singles matches to help Polson to a 4-3 win in a tennis dual against Stevensville on Friday.

Class action suit filed over Lake County jail conditions

Plaintiffs allege that the jail is “dangerous, unhygienic, and overcrowded …” and that jail policies discriminate against Native American inmates.

Trout Creek woman sentenced for wire fraud

Tina Rae Wood will spend the next four years behind bars and has been ordered to pay more than $650,000 in restitution.