Snowpack drops as stream flows increase

April ushered in the transition from winter to spring in the Montana snowpack accumulation season.

Legals for May, 15 2025

Legals for May, 22 2025

The Big (true) Beautiful (not so much) Bill

After all the concern about runaway government spending and the hand wringing about the budget deficit why on earth would Congress want to pass a tax bill that cuts taxes for the 400-plus American billionaires, pays for it by penalizing sick and lower income people and STILL increases the deficit by $3 trillion?

Commissioners hold hearing on proposed construction notice

The Lake County Commissioners are holding a public hearing today on a resolution that would require property owners to file a “notice of new construction” with the planning department. The proposed fee is $5 if filed before the project begins, and goes up to $1,000 if filed after construction begins.

SKC names health science building for Dorene Vallee

Salish Kootenai College honors the legacy of Dorene Dupuis Vallee with a ceremony naming the Vallee Building at 11 a.m. May 30.

Polson Boxing Club member competes at Golden Gloves

Polson Boxing Club athlete Oziah HeavyRunner represented Montana at the Rocky Mountain Regional Golden Gloves Tournament, held April 12-13 in Salt Lake City.

Weary weeder could use a hand with Main Street flowerbeds

It all started five years ago. I noticed the VFW bump-out, as I call the flowerbeds at the four corners on Polson’s Main Street, was looking pretty ratty. My husband, father and grandfathers are/were veterans. I felt they and all veterans deserved a better recognition.

BREAKTHROUGH: Governor signs PL 280 bill

“Well, it’s the end of a long journey,” said Lake County Commissioner Gale Decker about newly minted legislation regarding Public Law 280, a law enforcement agreement between Lake County and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies

Stories harvested from the Flathead Courier, May 10, 1984

Ag Days brings kids to the Cheff ranch

Sun shining through trees dappled the grass and washed over the bright spring grass as school buses trundled down the road to Fourth Grade Ag Days at Buddy and Brittany Cheff’s place above Kicking Horse Reservoir, south of Ronan.

Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies

Stories harvested from the Lake County Leader, May 17, 2001

Gregg Doerfler, 70

Gregg Allen Doerfler, age 70, passed away on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at his residence in Polson. There are no services planned at this time for Gregg.

Kiwanis luncheon honors groups that nurture kids

The mission of Kiwanis is serving children, one child at a time. At last Thursday’s luncheon at KwaTaqNuk Resort and Casino, that mission came to fruition as the group dispensed checks to organizations that help children.

River Honoring celebrates elders, educators

With the Flathead River flowing behind him, Elder Johnny Arlee opened the 38th annual River Honoring on Monday night with a prayer in Salish and some special words for the gathering. This year’s River Honorees are elders Violet Trahan and Germaine White and educators Nicole Camel, Polson, and Jennifer Jilot and Bill Stockton, Arlee.

Entwistle pleads guilty to Town Pump knife threat

A Ronan man, accused of threatening another person with a knife, entered a plea of guilty in District Court in Polson May 14 to felony assault with a weapon.

Volunteers plant 33 ponderosa pines at Finley Point park

On Earth Day 2025, Encompass LLC sponsored a tree restoration project at the Finley Point Unit of Flathead Lake State Park in partnership with Montana State Parks, AmeriCorps and the Montana State Parks Foundation.

Election results posted for schools, library and fire districts

Across Lake County last week, a smattering of mail ballots – 3,665 in all – were cast for school board, library and fire district trustees, as well as in three school levies.

View from the Library: A summer preview

Where does the time go? It’s hard to believe we’re already gearing up for another Summer Reading Program here at the library. The “Color Our World” program runs from June 9 through Aug. 7 and we’re bringing back the beloved Bug Race.

Pablo Skatepark celebrates Grand Opening

The community of Pablo is invited to celebrate the grand opening of the Pablo Skatepark from noon-2:30 p.m. May 24. The event will feature food from Cheers Etcetera, music by DJ Foreshadow and Salish Drum, and skateboarding.