Kolton Turner still leads Mack Days totals with 1,468

Kolton Turner of Kalispell remains ahead in Spring Mack Days, with 14 days of catching 100 fish. He leads the Top Twenty category with a total of 1,468.

Rocky Point residents worry about traffic impact of casino

More than 15 people interested in traffic on Hwy. 93 near Irvine Flats Road and Rocky Point Road attended a meeting at the Lake County Courthouse last Monday with Bob Vosen from the Montana Department of Transportation.

Raymond "Ray" Bick, 86

Raymond “Ray” Paul Bick, 86, died of natural causes on April 9, 2025, at his home in Cherry Creek, Nev. He was born Aug. 4, 1938, in Ronan, the eighth of nine children born to Clarence and Evelyn Bick of Round Butte, west of Ronan. Services will be held April 19, at 10 a.m. at The Lake Funeral Home, 101 6th Ave. E. in Polson, followed by graveside military services at Mountain View Cemetery, 46727 N. Foothills Dr., Ronan.

Tribes break ground on new 400 Horses Casino

Last Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new 400 Horses Casino on the outskirts of Polson opened to the steady pulse of two drums, Yamncut and Chief Cliff, as Gene Sorrell – attired in an eagle-feather headdress – blessed the drummers and the celebration.

Legals for April, 17 2025

Robert Silver Hanson Jr., 84

Robert Silver Hanson Jr., 84 of Polson, passed away peacefully April 9, 2025, in Kalispell, surrounded by his family. A funeral service will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson at noon Monday, April 21.

Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies

Stories harvested from the Flathead Courrier, April 14, 1988

Former Polson Police officer admits to child sexual abuse

Judge John Larson of Missoula set a sentencing date of July 10 in Lake County for former Polson Police officer Matthew Timm, who admitted to knowingly photographing and filming a girl under the age of 18 between January 2017 and March 2023.

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.

Bookfest Club brings readers together

It’s a sunny Saturday April morning outside the North Lake County Public Library. Inside the community room is abuzz with light conversation and the smells of donuts and coffee.

Mission man charged with third sexual assault

A St. Ignatius man, with two prior convictions for sexual assault, is accused of committing the same offense. Paul Vincent Tatto, 73, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson April 9 to a third offense of sexual assault, a felony.

Conservation District offers free pollinator seeds

Spring has sprung, and the Lake County Conservation District (LCCD) is buzzing with excitement as it launches its annual Pollinator Seed Giveaway, encouraging local residents to join a growing movement to protect pollinators and restore native habitat.

Montana’s kids deserve more from Legislature

As moms, educators and lawmakers, we came to the Capitol this session with one clear goal: to improve opportunity for Montana’s kids. But with just weeks left in the legislative session, we’re concerned that we may leave Helena having done only the bare minimum – and that’s not good enough.

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.

Ronan relay wins at Libby Invite

Ronan athletes traveled to the 2025 Libby Invitational on Saturday, April 12, where they claimed a first-place relay finish and a shot-put championship at Logger Stadium.

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.

Polson Pirates down Sentinel after tough loss to Whitefish

The Polson Pirates baseball team rebounded from a tough Northwest A Conference loss to Whitefish with a convincing non-league win over Missoula Sentinel, improving to 3-1 on the season.

Polson Tennis rebounds at Cut Bank Invite

“The kids bounced back very well in Cut Bank with both teams winning three duals and losing just one,” Hislop said.

Ballots mailed Friday for school and special district elections

Ballots will be mailed tomorrow, April 18, for school board and special purpose districts, and must be returned via mail or in person to the Lake County Election Administrator by Tuesday, May 6.

Ronan Softball blanks Whitefish, sneaks past Co-Falls

Fueled by an explosive second inning and a lights-out pitching performance, the Ronan Maidens cruised past Whitefish 15-0 in a three-inning mercy-rule win on Tuesday, April 8, then slipped past Columbia Falls April 10 in a tighter matchup 6-4.