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.

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.

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.

Correction: Charlo Grocery was citation-free

In a story titled "17 retailers cited for underage alcohol sales," on page 1 of last week's Leader, we incorrectly listed Wilson Foods as located in Charlo, and were quickly set straight by Charlo Grocery co-owner Rick Marcure. Wilson's is located in Arlee.In a story titled "17 retailers cited for underage alcohol sales," on page 2 of last week's Leader, we incorrectly listed Wilson Foods as located in Charlo, and were quickly set straight by Charlo Grocery co-owner Rick Marcure. Wilson's is located in Arlee.

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.

Ronan City Council tutored on SIDs

Local bankers Jamie Buhr and Brennin Grainey attended the April 9 Ronan City Council meeting to present facts on Special Improvement Districts. Mark Drinkwater, developer of Mission Valley Homesites, had approached the council regarding an SID for the first phase of a 221-lot subdivision on the southeast edge of Ronan.

Choral Society offers two spring concerts

Mission Valley Choral Society celebrates Spring with “Music in Our Hearts” concerts, 1 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at the St. Ignatius Mission and 4 p.m. Sunday, May 11, in Polson at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Legals for April, 17 2025

Susan Howlett, 69

Susan Marie Howlett, age 69 of Polson, a real-life shining star, with a heart as big as the ocean and enough love for everyone, has finished her grand adventure of this life – firm in her faith, and happy with a life well-lived.

Mission Valley Calendar

Upcoming events and meetings in the Mission Valley

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.

Area athletes shine at David Tripp Meet in Polson

Track and field athletes from smaller Lake County schools took several trips to the podium at the annual David Tripp Invitational, hosted at the Polson Sports Complex.

MAC Baseball drops two on the road

The Mission-Arlee-Charlo (MAC) baseball team continued to battle through its early-season schedule but came up short in a pair of matchups last week, falling to Big Sky 15-3 on Tuesday, April 8, in St. Ignatius and then to Missoula Sentinel 14-2 on Thursday, April 10.

Brown, Delaney tops at MCPS Invite

The Polson track and field team turned in a series of standout performances at the 2025 MCPS Invitational on Friday, April 11, with several first-place finishes.

MAC Softball rolls to two wins, falls to Florence-Carlton

The Mission-Arlee-Charlo (MAC) softball team continued its strong start to the season with two home wins over Anaconda and Plains before falling in a high-scoring road matchup against Class B powerhouse Florence-Carlton.

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.

St. Ignatius Seniors: Easter bunny visits Saturday

Spring is on the way. The willow tree in my yard is budding. People have talked about their crocuses and iris coming up.

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.

Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies

Stories harvested from the Flathead Courrier, April 14, 1988

Tariff flip-flop only benefits inside traders

Everyone in the know about President Trump's plans to flip-flop decisions about tariffs is suspect for insider trading. Staff economic advisors, favored businesses, Trump's family, and Trump himself.