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New bakery offers coffee, sourdough bread, and treats
The smells of baking bread and cinnamon mixed with whiffs of good coffee greet customers as they enter Stendal’s Espresso and Bakery on Third Ave. W. in Polson. Then they see crusty big rounds of sourdough bread and a case filled with cookies, scones, cupcakes and enormous cinnamon rolls, just begging to be eaten.
Michael Erickson, 54
Michael Dwayne Erickson passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 26, at 2 p.m. at the Valley View Clubhouse.
Ronan brewery hosts art walk, raises funds for first responders
The Ronan Cooperative Brewery is closing the month with an inaugural Art Walk on Fourth Ave. from 5-8 p.m. Friday, June 27. The event features live music by Good Company and works by around 10 area artists.
Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies
Stories harvested from the Flathead Courier, June 24, 1954

Layton Smith, 14
Layton, our boy born with the biggest blue eyes and the kindest soul, passed away at age 14 in a boating accident on June 18, 2025, in Harrison, Mont. Born in Laguna Hills, Calif., and raised in Bozeman since 2012, Layton embraced more in his 14 years than most do in a lifetime.

William Owen Lambson
An affinity with water flowed through William Owen Lambson’s life, from his childhood in Lexington, Ky., to his death July 7, 2025, at his home near the edge of Flathead Lake.

Port Polson Players celebrate 50th summer season
What sounds like the opening scene of a musical led to Karen and Neal Lewing’s real-life marriage a few months later, and the enduring partnership that’s at the heart of the Port Polson Players – now celebrating 50 seasons of summer theatre.

Charlo's frybread chef: It's all about tradition
For Nancy Vaughan, the frybread she makes every year for Charlo’s Fourth of July festivities is a matter of tradition.

Polson Commission selects new city judge
The Polson City Commission selected retired law enforcement officer Joe May as incoming city judge during a meeting last Wednesday, June 26. There were four candidates for the job, including incumbent judge Mike Larson, retired Lake County chief juvenile probation officer Barbara Monaco, and head of maintenance for Lake County, Dale Ramesar.
Letter to the 400 richest Americans
I just wanted you all to know that I am one American who is really glad that you got a well-deserved tax break in the One Big Beautiful Bill. I know a lot of people are jealous of you because you are really rich, but that’s no reason for you to have to be punished with high tax rates.
Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies
Stories harvested from the Flathead Courier, July 14, 1988

Readers choose Koda King as Athlete of the Year
Koda King was one of four candidates, selected by athletic directors across Lake County and voted upon by Leader readers, for the Leader's inaugural Athlete of the Year. He won with 246 votes. Nominees also included: Ryan Sharbono, St. Ignatius, with 104 votes; Samantha Rensvold, Polson with 93 votes; and GG Hawk, Charlo, with 87 votes.
Pat Williams: He stood by us and with us
Pat Williams has died. He was Montana’s longest serving Congressman, serving from 1979 to 1997. He had a sense of justice and values which he defended proudly and vigorously, often in the face of strong and outraged opposition. He was my political hero.
Richard Orton, 75
Richard Clarence Orton passed from this life on May 15, with his daughter, Cynthia Dragon Fly, by his side at St Joseph’s Hospital in Polson. There will be a memorial in his honor at 2 p.m. July 26 at Leon Hall (near Post Creek/St Ignatius). He wanted this to be a time of music, food, laughter and sharing.

Polson’s Independence Day celebration shines
This year’s Fourth of July celebration begins with the highly anticipated fireworks show over Flathead Lake on July 3, followed by a new kids' parade and the community parade July 4.

What’s the point of being a U.S. Senator if you don’t have guts?
More than half a century ago, when I was a young, enlisted man stationed at the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C., I contacted former Montana Senator Burton K. Wheeler. I introduced myself and asked him if I could have a visit with him.

Theater rolls out the red carpet for the Boys and Girls Club
Move over Tom Cruise, get out of the way Julia Roberts. There are some new young stars taking on the glitz and glamour of the red carpet. This past Friday the Showboat Stadium 6 on Main Street in Polson was packed with members of the Flathead Reservation and Lake County Boys and Girls Club for a special presentation of the newest Disney and Pixar flic, “Elio.”

Lake County takes steps to bring home its garbage
After 25 years of shipping household waste to Missoula, Lake County is bringing home its garbage.

Mission discus champ aims high for senior year
When Ryan Sharbono stepped into the discus ring at the MHSA Class B/C State Track and Field Championships in Missoula this May, he wasn’t just competing against a field of strong athletes – he was competing against his past self.
Polson High sophomore launches football camp
Kids of all ages and from all over western Montana attended the first=ever MTAG camp, but Case Cox was the sole participant who could say he was responsible for starting the whole thing.