Rocky Point residents worry about traffic impacts of new casino

The intersection of Rocky Point Road with Highway 93 north of Polson is always busy, especially during the summer months as lakeshore residents struggle to get on and off the highway. It’s likely to get worse with construction vehicles entering and exiting Hwy. 93 from Irvine Flats Road where building has begun on the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ new casino, 400 Horses.

Sawdust flies at Ronan's Chainsaw Rendezvous

Chainsaws were growling, grumbling and whirring amid a nest of extension cords, drifts of sawdust, and many bottles of water. Must have been the annual Mission Valley Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous in Ronan. It began with move-in day on Thursday, and carving Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Jacob McConnell, 41

Jacob “Jake” David McConnell, 41, of Belgrade, passed away on Sunday, May 25, 2025. He grew up in the Ronan and Polson area. His absence leaves an immeasurable void in the lives of those who knew and loved him. But his legacy – the way he lived, loved, laughed, and lifted up others – will live on. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Mission Valley Food Fling: Burgers

A hamburger has become something of an American tradition. Like the Mets, Kevin Costner or country music, hamburgers are a part of the very fabric of this nation, and the Mission Valley has a few businesses that have been serving pretty darn good burgers for generations.

Voting opens for Lake County’s Athlete of the Year

The Lake County Leader is initiating its first ever “High School Athlete of the Year,” voted on by you, our readers. The nominees were submitted by athletic directors in Polson, Ronan, Charlo and St. Ignatius, based on the athletic achievements of the 2024-2025 seasons. Two Eagle River School and Arlee High School were also invited to participate, but did not submit nominations via our guidelines.

Michael Taylor

Michael A. Taylor, retired rancher, cosmetologist, state senator and businessman of Rollins, passed away on May 27, 2025. A celebration of Michael’s life will take place at 11 a.m. June 28, 2025, at Polson First Presbyterian Church.

View from the Library: Color Our World

Summer has finally arrived at the North Lake County Library which means the return of the annual Summer Reading Program. The “Color Our World” runs from June 9-Aug. 7.

Frank Glen Parker, 88

Frank Glen Parker returned to the loving embrace of his Heavenly Father on Monday, June 9, 2025. Surrounded by family, he passed peacefully in his daughter’s home in Polson.

Energy Keepers predicts lake won't reach full pool

At Seli'š Ksanka Qlispe' Dam, the Flathead River seeps beneath floodgates, and slides quietly down the concrete face to the riverbed below – an entirely different scene from the usual springtime tumult when runoff from the Flathead basin gushes downstream.

PROTECT Act would expand tribal jurisdiction in drug cases

U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Rep. Ryan Zinke have joined other legislators in introducing the bipartisan “Protection for Reservation Occupants Against Trafficking and Evasive Communications Today (PROTECT) Act” to combat drug trafficking in tribal communities.

Mission High School graduation shines brightly

This past Saturday, MHS held their graduation for the class of 2025 – a group of 22 that, judging by the number of people in attendance at the outdoor ceremony, clearly had quite an impact on the community.

Need some good news?

Need some good news? Here you go: Most people still support: the Constitution, the Statue of Liberty, free speech, the Fourth Estate, separation of church and state, separation of powers, our institutions, due process, the law, the courts, the emoluments clause ...

Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies

Stories harvested from the Lake County Leader, June 6, 2016

Mariners sweep Twins to snap losing streak

After a difficult stretch that saw the Mission Valley Mariners drop five straight games, the squad rebounded in a big way Sunday with a doubleheader sweep over the Glacier Twins, improving their American Legion baseball record to 6-6 on the season.

SKC grads: "The world needs what you have"

The Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center was packed to capacity Saturday with Salish Kootenai College graduates seated in chairs on the gym floor and well-wishers crowding the bleachers.

Trial date set for second suspect in Loder murder

Judge Molly Owen set a trial date of Nov. 3 for the second suspect in the murder of Ronan resident Edwin Loder, who was allegedly murdered last August near his home on Timberlane Road.

Polson players earn all-league baseball honors

A trio of standout Polson Pirates baseball players received postseason recognition this week, earning All-Northern A honors for their performances during the 2025 season. Senior Landon Shoemake and sophomore Cole Wadsworth were both named to the All-State and All-Conference First Team, while junior Cody Haggard was named to the Second Team.

Legals for June, 11 2025

Legals for June, 12 2025

Mission Valley Calendar

Upcoming events and meetings in the Mission Valley