State titles, personal bests at Class A Track Championships

Between two state titles, podium finishes, and personal records, competitors from Lake County schools made their mark among Montana’s best.

Polson Softball takes second at State

The Polson Lady Pirates wrapped up the 2025 campaign with a second-place finish at the State A Softball Tournament in Columbia Falls, battling through a challenging five-game stretch that included a blowout win, a pair of tight victories, and two losses to eventual state champion Frenchtown.

PL 280 saga winds down with three signatures

Monday marked a quiet end to a long-running saga as the three Lake County commissioners each signed a resolution rescinding three previous attempts to remove the county from the responsibilities enshrined in Public Law 280.

Sharbono tops in Class B discus

At the 2025 MHSA Class B/C State Track and Field Championships, held May 22–24 at Missoula County Public Schools Stadium, Lake County had one state champion and several placers.

Cast of 35 performs "Fiddler on the Roof"

The Port Polson Players’ 50th season continues when a cast of 35 takes the stage for “Fiddler on the Roof” June 5-15.

Jury finds Baszler guilty of weapon assault

After a day-long trial, a Lake County jury found a Polson man guilty of assault with a weapon. Jury selection began Monday, May 19, in District Court in Polson for Eric Walter Baszler, 42. On Tuesday morning, Baszler was found guilty.

Polson Tennis wraps up season with gritty effort

Though no players advanced deep into the tournament, several Pirates notched first-round victories and battled through the consolation brackets before bowing out against tough competition.

Mission Valley Legion opens season with strong showings

The Mission Valley Mariners kicked off their American Legion baseball season with six games in six days, rebounding from an opening loss to secure four wins and show early promise heading into the summer schedule.

Letter from yore offers reminder of immigrants' value today

Several decades ago, Mr. Grit Boring, an immigrant to this country, wrote a letter to the editor of the Missoulian with a grateful message to Judge Russell Smith and to the citizens of this country.

MAC Softball battles to fourth place

The Mission-Arlee-Charlo (MAC) softball team capped a stellar season with a fourth-place finish at the State B/C Tournament held May 22-24 in Glasgow, earning a pair of dramatic one-run victories and battling through a loaded bracket that included perennial contenders.

Gloria Edith Lawrenz, 92

Gloria Edith Lawrenz, 92: June 29, 1932 – May 14, 2025.Service: June 28, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Lakeview Cemetery, Polson, on the shores of Flathead Lake.

The America I love: Good while it lasted

The country that I love is behaving like a spoiled child. There is a new way of doing in American government that replaces trust with fear, understanding with punishment, and reason with revenge.

Janet Blackler, 75

Janet Gail Blackler (née Sandmeyer), 75, passed away March 17, 2025, in Bigfork. A woman of remarkable strength, independence and humor, Janet lived a life deeply rooted in nature, music and service.

Suspect in Christmas Day shooting pleads not guilty

Elijah Cajune, accused of shooting and killing a Polson man early Christmas morning in 2024, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson May 21 to deliberate homicide. Cajune, 18, was afforded the opportunity to have his case transferred to youth court because he was 17 at the time of the alleged murder, but he waived the hearing.

Commissioners backpedal on controversial resolution

Lake County Commission Chair Gale Decker seemed a little wary as he stepped to the microphone for last Thursday’s public hearing. The topic, a resolution to impose a Notice of New Construction for any property improvements in Lake County, had already drawn ample ire on social media, and the commissioners were apt to attract more of the same from the crowd of at least 75 people filling the courthouse conference room, and another 20 or so tuning in via Zoom.

MDT to revamp Third Ave. intersection in Ronan

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Riverside Contracting Inc. will begin work next week to improve the intersection of U.S. Highway 93 with Third Avenue and Old U.S. 93 in Ronan.

Craig Matelich, 69

Dr. Craig C. Matelich, M.D., 69, entered into eternal life on May 10, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix, Ariz., surrounded by his loved ones. The Vigil will be 6-8 p.m. June 12 and the Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. June 13, both at Immaculate Conception Church in Polson. Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery.

Mission man accused of threatening sheriff, courthouse

A St. Ignatius man is accused of making threats to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Lake County Courthouse. Joshua Aaron Kenney-Greenwood, 45, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson on May 21 to felony intimidation.

Lake County softball teams compete at C-Town Showdown

Several Lake County youth softball teams took to the fields over the weekend at the 2025 C-Town Showdown, held May 30 to June 1 at the Columbia Falls High School softball complex.

Legals for May, 29 2025