Blackfeet tribal members sue to stop Trump tariffs against Canada

On Friday in federal court, Jonathan St. Goddard, along with state Sen. Susan Webber, D-Browning, filed a lawsuit in federal court asking a judge for an injunction against Trump’s tariffs on Canada, arguing that it violates the treaty rights of Indigenous people across the nation, and saying that only Congress can approve tariffs, not the president, according to the U.S. Constitution.

Doreen Trusler, 96

Doreen Margaret Trusler of Polson passed away peacefully during the early morning hours of March 26, 2025, in Ronan.

Swanky Sisters moves to Creamery Mall

Owner Beverley Osterwyk and her crew moved Swanky Sisters Mercantile to a new location in the Creamery Mall in Ronan three weeks ago, and they’re still unpacking boxes of fabric, notions, baby items and gifts.

Polson Boxing Club fighters gear up for regional events

Three young fighters from the Polson Boxing Club are gearing up for a busy April in the ring.

Jana Clairmont, 78

Jana M. Clairmont, 78, died March 20 in Kalispell.

Births at St. Luke's

Frederick Walter Schmidt was born April 10 at the St. Luke Community Healthcare New Beginnings Birth Center in Ronan. He measured 7 lbs. 7 oz. and 20 inches long.

Legals for March, 20 2025

Polson Seniors: Seeking meal delivery drivers

Due to the ever-increasing lunchtime food deliveries, we will be able to add an additional route, which should take about 45 minutes. Each route will have about 12 stops. Call for further details about being a volunteer driver. We need your help, please!

Montana Legislators: Don’t bring back smoking indoors

Some ideas are so bad that they’re ridiculous. Like bringing back smoking rooms to Montana businesses.

Marriages & Divorces

The following marriages and divorces were recently recorded at the Lake County Courthouse in Polson:

Emma L. Roberts, 99

Emma L. (Evans) Roberts of Polson went home to heaven peacefully on March 17, 2025. There will be a visitation on Friday, March 28, from 4-6 p.m. at The Lake Funeral Home in Polson. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 29, at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, followed by burial in the Ronan Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.

Mack Days anglers haul in more than 20,000 lake trout

The third week of Spring Mack Days ended with a total of 20,211 lake trout entries. Weekend totals were 1,939 on Friday, 1,806 on Saturday, and 1,821 on Sunday.

Contractor pleads not guilty to felony theft

A Polson man is accused of accepting down payments for contracting services and doing little to no work. Donald Dean Guthrie, 68, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson April 9 to three counts of felony theft.

Legals for March, 27 2025

Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies

Stories gleaned from the Lake County Leader, March 20, 1997

Rachel Jean Booth, 44

Rachel Jean Booth (Marr), 44, of Plains, stepped into eternal joy in the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, April 3. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 12, at the Church on the Move in Plains.

Ailport attempted murder case now headed back to trial

The attempted murder charge against Paul Glen Ailport is headed back to trial on May 12, after the judge deviated from a plea agreement by adding a weapons enhancement at sentencing.

Horse trading at the expense of Montana taxpayers

After blowing off property tax relief entirely during the 2023 Montana Legislative Session, our senators and representatives are on track to repeat the mistake.

Spalliero admits to sexual abuse of children

Anthony Joseph Spalliero, 47 of Ronan, admitted to misrepresenting himself on social media to obtain explicit images of underage girls. He pled guilty in District Court in Polson March 12 to four counts of sexual abuse of children and one count of intimidation for threatening a girl to send more. His bail is set at $500,000.

Polson Seniors: Thank you, AARP Tax Assistance volunteers

The AARP Tax Filing Assistance program has filed nearly 700 individual or joint tax returns over the past 10 weeks for local senior citizens.