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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Excitement abounds at youth football camp

Last Tuesday through Thursday, the Pirate football field right next to the high school was jam-packed with boys and girls from kindergarten all the way up to grade seven, excited to take on drills and play games.

Fire season amps up on and off reservation

Fire season appears to be amping up earlier than usual in western Montana, with two fire starts last week. Ongoing dry, windy conditions prompted the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire to elevate the danger level from moderate to high on Tuesday.

Young Polson resident says ducks deserve a hearing

Ducks face discrimination in the City of Polson, and Johnny Lapotka aims to change that.

Polson graduation delivers flair & confetti

Graduations are typically rather formal proceedings. Polson’s ceremony, held Saturday morning, boasted some real flair from the class of 2025.

Polson man charged with rape

A trial was set for a Polson man accused of raping a woman at her place of employment. Barnell Kentrel Gadison, 45, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson May 28 to sexual intercourse without consent.

Charlo Class of '25: Small but mighty

Fourteen seniors collected their diplomas in the Charlo gym Sunday – perhaps the smallest graduating class in Lake County. Small but mighty, according to commencement speaker and social studies teacher Mike Mercer, who described them as “the most fun, interesting, thought-provoking group of young adults I've ever been around.”

Legals for June, 5 2025

Harlon Leishman does high school in high style

If you haven't heard of Leishman, he’s hard to miss on the track because he’s typically near the front of the pack – which included a sixth place finish at the state track meet this year in the 3200 – and the rather unique style that he has become famous for.

Ronan grads told: "No more time for procrastination"

The Ronan High School Band played the processional ushering in the Class of 2025 last Friday evening. The stands of Laverne Parrish Memorial Field were filled with parents, grandparents, relatives and friends, many holding flowers, who came to celebrate the 89 graduates of Ronan High School.