Ellington

Players stage “The Diary of Anne Frank”

The Port Polson Players present the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning classic, “The Diary of Anne Frank,” at Polson’s Theatre on the Lake over two weekends, Dec. 2-4 and 9-11.

Polson Seniors: Thanks to those who help seniors

Even though this article was written a week before Thanksgiving, I can safely tell you that I will overeat.

Town Pump offers matching funds for local food banks

The Town Pump Charitable Foundation is matching $1 million to help raise $4 million during its annual fundraising campaign for food banks, including the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry in Polson and the Bread Basket Food Pantry in Ronan.

Harlan Vaska found guilty of 11th DUI

Harlan Gerald Vaska sat before a jury and District Court Judge Robert Whelan Monday after pleading not guilty to an 11th DUI charge dating back to 2021.

Polson woman pleads not guilty to meth charges

Marcyanna Rose Dimond, 44, of Polson appeared in Missoula Nov. 17 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pled not guilty on charges of possession with intent to distribute meth.

Man in custody for negligent homicide after 17-year-old dies near Mission Dam

David Hammer Jr., 17, of St. Ignatius was found injured and unconscious by family members near Mission Dam in the early morning hours of Nov. 20.

Polson QB Wilson headed to Montana Tech

Polson quarterback Jarrett Wilson is going to be an Oredigger, after announcing Sunday on Twitter that has committed to Montana Tech to play football.

Murray “Joe” Sterling

Murray “Joe” Sterling passed away at home in Billings on Nov. 12, 2022.

Mission falls to Belt in 8-man championship

ST. IGNATIUS — The Belt Huskies broke out in the second half of the Class C 8-Man championship game at Mission High School to top the Mission Bulldogs 52-24 and claim their first title since 1994.

Legals for November, 24 2022

Native American Heritage Day: Polson students study heritage and traditions

Students at Polson Middle School set aside their regular studies Tuesday to learn about the cultural and artistic traditions of Salish and Kootenai people during the seventh annual Native American Heritage Day.

Valley prep athletes acknowledged for season accomplishments

Area prep athletes were recently acknowledged for their season accomplishments on the volleyball court and soccer pitch.

Inductees named to Ronan Hall of Fame

The Ronan Hall of Fame Committee recently announces the members of the second class to be inducted into the School District #30/Ronan Hall of Fame.

Polson City Commission considers lakeshore regs

The question of how best to update Polson’s antiquated Lakeshore Protection Regulations was posed to the city commission at Monday’s meeting.

Kettle Campaign recruiting local bell ringers

The Salvation Army Kettle Campaign, which begins Nov. 30 and continues through Dec. 18, is looking for volunteers to ring the bell and collect donations during two-hour shifts at several Mission Valley locations.

First Quarter Honor Rolls: Polson

Polson High School recently announced first quarter honor roll.

Remembering Ronan’s 1974 State Champs

Title fever struck the community of Ronan midway through the 1974 football season following a 40-0 shellacking of Stevensville.

Wake-up shake up: Small earthquake rattles valley

“It rattled the whole house,” reported Charlo resident Martha Hyvonen of the 3.7 magnitude temblor that shook many Mission Valley residents awake last Wednesday.

Jeffrey Jay Andrews

Jeffrey Jay Andrews of Polson passed early Sunday morning, Nov. 13, 2022. He was overcome by cancer at the young age of 64 years.

Coming up in the Mission Valley

Ninepipes Museum hosts holiday event, Polson lights town tree, and more goings-on

Flathead Lakers raise funds to preserve natural area

This GivingTuesday, Nov. 29, the Flathead Lakers are raising funds to support the purchase of a 442-acre conservation easement on the Owen Sowerwine property along the Flathead and Stillwater Rivers.

Karol Newgard

On the evening of Nov. 16, 2022, Karol Newgard, loving wife, mother and grandmother, passed away at home of heart failure. She was 86.

St. Luke employees donate nearly 1,600 lbs. of food

During a monthlong food drive, St. Luke Community Healthcare employees recently collected 1,571 lbs. of non-perishable food and almost $1,000 to donate to the food banks in Ronan, St. Ignatius, and Polson.

Volleyball season ends at state for Polson, Ronan

Both the Polson Lady Pirates and Ronan Maidens bowed out of the All-Class State Volleyball tournament in loser-out action on Friday.

James R. Jones

James R. Jones, known to many as Jimmy, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 3, surrounded by four of his sons while hunting elk in Eastern Montana.

Polson Seniors: Thanksgiving feast served Nov. 18

Congratulations to those elected to office – in your positions please be sensitive to the needs of the senior citizens and others.

Highway 93 updates

Work begins on Ronan-North project, fencing underway near St. Ignatius, and don't crowd the plows.

St. Ignatius Seniors: Warm meals for winter

The St. Ignatius Center offers warmth, a warm meal and companionship at our noon meals.

Lakeshore regs worth reviewing

The Lake County Commissioners held a public hearing last week to consider adopting the newly revised Lakeshore Protection Regulations (LPR’s).

Republicans best Dems again in Lake County

Results from last Tuesday’s election in Lake County show another Democratic rout in the few contested races.

Velma Irene Koopmans

Velma Irene Koopmans went home to Jesus early on the morning of Nov. 10. She was 86.

Both sides comment on lopsided election

Predictably, representatives for local Republicans and Democrats voiced very different views of the outcomes from last Tuesday’s general election.

County governments pressured to object to CSKT compact

As the deadline approaches to file objections to water rights claims set out in the Flathead Water Compact, some local officials are considering the effects of the landmark deal.

Fall Mack Days posts final results

The 2022 Fall Mack Days event, sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, is in the books.

Myrtle Ann Crouch Stinger

Myrtle Ann Crouch Stinger, age 93, passed from this life to join her loved ones in Heaven on Nov. 9.

Robert Douglas Waters

Robert Douglas Waters ("Bob"), beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Nov. 11.

Polson Invitational: A different brand of athleticism

With their season just getting underway, five Polson students and one Ronan student took a brief time out from the Polson Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament, held Saturday, to discuss their unique brand of athleticism.

Bulldogs set to host state championship game

On Saturday afternoon, the Mission Bulldogs advanced to their first-ever State C 8-Man state title game since the days of leather helmets, outlasting the visiting Fairfield Warriors in a 54-48 thriller.

Legals for November, 17 2022

First Quarter Honor Rolls: Arlee & Polson

Arlee and Polson high schools recently released their first quarter honor rolls.

Free turkey feasts on tap

Organizers in Polson and Ronan are gearing up to host free Thanksgiving feeds.

Hearing on lakeshore regulations draws crowd

A surprisingly crowded council chamber awaited Lake County Commissioners last Thursday for a hearing on a resolution to amend the Lakeshore Protection Regulations.

Golden Eagles soar past Pirates, 49-32

Playing in a Class A state semifinal road game Saturday afternoon in Lewistown, the No. 3 seeded Polson Pirates lost their first game of the season 49-32 to host and No. 2 seeded Fergus Golden Eagles.

Death notice: Jeff Andrews

Jeff Andrews, age 64, died Nov. 13.

Arlee voters approve bonds for building project

Arlee School District voters approved two bond issues in last Tuesday’s election, clearing the way for the district to build a new 20,000-square foot structure to house grades 3-6.

Legals for November, 16 2022

Susan Loretta Hearn Wall

Susan Loretta Hearn Wall, 67, of Polson and the Kern Valley in California, passed away on Nov. 1 at Community Medical Center in Missoula due to complications of illnesses.

Polson library needs extra boost

A library is one of those resources essential to a thriving community.

View from the North Lake County Library

What a wonderful fall we have had. It looks like winter is going to try to settle in, which is the perfect time to curl up with your favorite cozy blanket, a warm cup of something yummy and a good book.

Port Polson Players reprise “No Coward’s Epitaph”

The Port Polson Players are reviving their popular musical, “No Coward’s Epitaph.”

Polson Senior Center: Thanks to poll workers and veterans

Thanks to all those poll workers who volunteered to guarantee a safe and efficient process, free from interference.

You are the person to stand up and be counted

I hope you took the time to vote. Why? Because it’s all about you and your family, our freedom and your children’s future.

Winter’s sudden arrival brings power outages

“Winter hit all of a sudden when fall wasn’t quite done,” says Jean Matt, general manager of Mission Valley Power, of the storm that left a portion of Polson without power for three hours last Wednesday morning.

Telling our community’s stories

Full circle: that’s how it feels to be sitting at the editor’s desk of the Lake County Leader again.

Two Scouts awarded Eagle medals

John David of Polson and Nick Snyder of Ronan claimed their Eagle Scout medals during an Eagle Scout Court of Honor held Nov. 5 at the Boys and Girls Club in Ronan.

Fall Mack Days: Big whopping winds

Big, whopping, unrelenting wind hit Flathead Lake over the eighth week of 2022 Fall Mack Days.

Griffith Howell Davies III

Griffith Howell Davies III passed away Nov. 1, 2022, at his home in Big Arm at the age of 77 years.

Ronan man admits trafficking fentanyl, illegal possession of firearm

A Ronan man accused of trafficking fentanyl and illegally possessing a firearm during a traffic stop pleaded guilty to charges Monday, dating from a traffic stop nearly a year ago.

Bison Range investigates poached elk

An investigation was immediately opened when a poached bull elk was found dumped in the canal on the Bison Range with its head cut off.

Kettle, stop calling the pot black

Kettle, stop calling the pot black and make soup instead. Hold a bipartisan Thanks to this place we love and our neighbors and friends.

City Commission approves partnership with land trust

After a lengthy discussion Monday night, the Polson City Commission voted 4 to 2 to authorize City Manager Ed Meece to develop an affordable housing project in concert with the Northwest Montana Community Land Trust.

City collecting leaves on Mondays

The City of Polson is again collecting leaves on Mondays through November.

Polson wins Western A volleyball title

The Polson Lady Pirates are Western A divisional volleyball champs.

Legals for November, 10 2022

Republicans sweep Lake County statehouse seats

Lake County voters on Tuesday favored all Republicans in contested statehouse races.

Legals for November, 9 2022

Above average numbers for Region 2 big game season

Big game hunting season hits its midway mark this week, and hunter check stations in west-central Montana are reporting elk and deer harvests up from last year and the five-year average.

Pirates outlast Locomotives in blustery quarterfinals

POLSON — Tough wind, tough Locomotives, tougher Pirates.

Mission survives battle with Ennis

Mission is moving on in the 8-man football playoffs after a wild come-from-behind rally over Ennis on Saturday.

Ronan Middle School spends week learning about the perils of addiction

Around 500 students and teachers, grades 5-8, circled the track at Ronan High last Friday in the final flourish of Red Ribbon Week.

We are WÖR: Fresh take on 18th century music

The Mission Valley Live! season continues next week with the Belgian folk quintet We are WÖR (pronounced ‘were’), performing at 7 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Ronan Performing Arts Center.

Mack Days anglers have two weeks left to reel in lake trout

With just two weeks left in the 2022 Fall Mack Days, 12,654 lake trout have been turned in for this year’s event.

Polson Senior Center: Your vote is your voice

Set your clocks back an hour before you go to bed on Nov. 5. Register and vote at Linderman gym on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

“Game changer”: Polson commission approves grant for Main St. renovation

The Polson City Commission held a special meeting last Tuesday to consider two applications for Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district grants, including a major renovation of the old Gambles building on Main Street.

SAFE Harbor honors community heroes

Heroes in the movies often appear larger than life. They have special abilities and wear some outrageous outfits. Not to mention teleportation, mind melding, and all the rest.

Legals for November, 3 2022

Work begins on U.S. 93, Ronan-North project

Expect traffic delays as work begins this week on a section of Highway 93 from Lake’s Corner south to Round Butte Road in Ronan.

City Hall caught in signage brouhaha

Polson city manager Ed Meece found himself in an unanticipated hot seat last week, after both Republicans and Democrats accused the city and each other of confiscating their respective campaign signs.

City offers custom email subscriptions

Tyler Baker, the City of Polson’s special projects manager, is in the process of improving the city’s website at www.cityofpolson.com.

St. Luke Community Healthcare receives Stroke Recognition Award

St. Luke Community Hospital was recognized with the Stroke Recognition Award at the Montana Hospital Association’s annual meeting last month.

Yellow Bay club hosts wildfire talk, potluck

The Yellow Bay Community Club will host a free talk by Allen Branine of the Lake County Conservation District on ways for homeowners to reduce wildfire risk around their property.

Administrator gives election tips

Election Day is next Tuesday, Nov. 8, and as of this Monday, 45% of around 14,000 absentee ballots have been returned to the election office in Polson.

Ronan passes animal ordinance

The City of Ronan recently passed Animal Ordinance 2022-05 in response to what Mayor Chris Adler describes as “our loose and vicious dog problem within the city limits.”

Museum offers free admission to veterans

The Miracle of America Museum in Polson will honor all veterans on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, by offering them free admission to the museum, along with their spouses.

Lessons learned from voting

I’ve voted in every election for the past 50 years, and here’s what I’ve learned:

Jeffrey Jacobson

Jeffrey Jacobson passed away Oct. 23, 2022 at Village Health Care In Missoula after losing his eight-year battle with brain cancer.

Floyd W. “Smitty” Smith

Floyd W. “Smitty” Smith, born Oct. 27, 1939, passed away on Oct. 26, 2022 in Polson.

A leader who doesn’t need a lawyer

Many of the condemnations of Monica Tranel are actually positives in our book.

Gregory Earle Mason

Gregory Earle Mason, 71, of Polson, passed away on Oct. 17, 2022.

How wacky can you get?

Many thanks to Rich Harris for his op/ed letter on Joe Read. How wacky can you get?

Zinke doesn't reflect Seal ethos

Ryan Zinke was a Navy Seal, but his actions do not reflect the standard of the Navy Seal Ethos.

Legals for November, 2 2022

Mike Perry of Arlee named Superintendent of the Year

The award recognizes Dr. Mike Perry's 25-year education career, dedication to kids and commitment to staff.