Local News
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Missing Middle: County looks for solutions to housing shortage
The “missing middle” is how housing advocates sometimes describe the lack of affordable housing for middle income …
Jury convicts Ronan man of exposing his child to fentanyl
A Lake County jury found a Ronan man guilty of negligent homicide in the death of his child due to fentanyl exposure. The trial for Nyibe Jordan Nguyen, 26, be…
Class encourages healthy living
Tribal Health is offering “Full Plate Living,” a series of classes to help participants lead a healthy lifestyle. Classes include information on meal planning, nutrition and weight loss, and setting realistic goals…
handMADE Montana strengthens arts ecosystem
As 2025 approaches, the Polson-based HandMADE Montana celebrated a banner year of supporting local and regional artists, fostering community engagement, and ma…
Helping hungry kids, one backpack meal at a time
Polson Loaves and Fish Food Pantry recently received $12,000 from the Town Pump Charitable Foundation to fund its “Meals for Backpacks” program, while the Rona…
Ronan Hall of Fame: Jay and Beth Preston
Profiles of new inductees into the Ronan Hall of Fame continue with distinguished community contributors Jay and Beth Preston, who are among the inductees to b…
Mission Valley Calendar
Upcoming events and meetings in Lake County
County seeks volunteers for planning-related boards
Lake County is currently seeking volunteers to serve on four planning-related boards, either in person or via Zoom. Positions begin on Jan. 1, although positions remain open until filled.
Ronan council still needs volunteers for study commission
At the Ronan City Council meeting on Dec. 18, City Clerk Kaylene Melton reported on her conversations with other city clerks in Montana regarding a special improvement district such as the one proposed for a develo…
Cancer support group resumes meeting Jan. 8 in Pablo
Cheerful Heart’s Cancer Support Group will not meet on Wednesday, Dec. 25, but will continue meeting from 12-1 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month in 2025.
Mission man accused of theft, defacing gun ID and drug possession
A St. Ignatius man is accused of defacing a weapon’s serial number, possessing drugs and theft. Mark Anthony Davidson, 38, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson Dec. 11 to misdemeanor charges of …
Sentencing deferred after woman admits to firing weapon
The imposition of sentencing was deferred three years in District Court in Polson Dec. 11 for a Ronan woman who admitted to firing a weapon out of anger over a failed relationship.
The Warming Center: Keeping people warm and safe
A tidy white house and a long bunkhouse on 5th Ave. E. in Pablo welcome guests to the Warming Center on chilly nights.
Reopening Lake House could help county with mental health crisis
The Lake House, located just south of Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, opened in 2015 and closed in 2023. While the facility went away, the need did not, …
Correction
A story in last week’s Leader titled Agency on Aging breaks ground on new transit center” (page A5) incorrectly identified the person in the photo
Governor gives nod to Ronan-based recovery organization
On the tenth day of his 12 Days of Giving campaign, Governor Greg Gianforte encouraged Montanans to support Never Alone Recovery Support Services (NARSS), a no…