Jury convicts Ronan man of ninth DUI

A Ronan man with eight prior convictions for DUI was convicted by a Lake County jury of what records show is his ninth.

Vaska admits to killing his mother

Garrett Edward Vaska, accused of killing his mother, admitted to deliberate homicide with a dangerous weapon in District Court in Polson Aug. 6.

County cuts ribbon, welcomes public to Dave Stipe Annex

On Saturday the Lake County commissioners held an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Dave Stipe Annex to welcome the public into the newly built space on the corner of First St. E. and Fifth Ave. W. in Polson.

Legals for August, 14 2025

Legals for August, 14 2025

Charlo Schools start year with interim superintendent

Charlo School District 7J kicks off the year on Aug. 20 with veteran superintendent Jim Baldwin taking the reins on a one-year contract.

Let's work together to curb underage drinking

What I'm asserting is this: This sting could be replaced with on-site training and campaigns centered on helping staff and owners take an initiative to curtail underage drinking.

Bio Station declares wastewater treatment plant ‘open for pooping’

The Flathead Lake Biological Station held an open house and unveiled its new innovative wastewater treatment plant on Aug. 8.

Regardless of rainfall, Lake County still impacted by drought

The USDA has declared Lake County in a natural disaster area due to drought, regardless of the nearly 12 inches of precipitation hitting both Ronan and St. Ignatius since the beginning of the year.

Players wrap 50th season with "Who Gets the Lake Place"

The Port Polson Players continue their 50th anniversary of summer theatre with the original musical “Who Gets the Lake Place,” Aug. 14-24.

Property tax rebate applications open Aug. 15

Montana homeowners may qualify for a $400 rebate on property taxes paid on their primary residence for the 2024 tax year. Applications open Aug. 15 and close Oct. 1.

Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies

Stories harvested from the Lake County Leader, August 14, 1997

Mission town council considers annexation

Four private properties around the St. Ignatius Airport were asked if they would be willing to annex into the city limits of St. Ignatius at the city council meeting on Aug. 5.

Governor's coal push will accelerate climate destruction

Respectfully, let’s put the Governor’s recent rah-rah, siss-boom-bah for Montana’s coal industry into perspective.

Strap in folks; it’s gonna be a wild ride

What is it about top executives in monopoly utilities that makes them want to play cowboy capitalists? Case in point is NorthWestern Energy's plan to provide power to gigantic data centers.

Rounding up the mavericks

Governor Abbott called out the Texas Rangers to corral the mavericks, hog-tie them and bring them back. In response Illinois Democratic Governor JB Pritzker offered to put the Democratic dogies up in his luxurious Hyatt Hotel in Chicago, where two rumors of bomb threats caused the hotel to be evacuated twice.

Polson fire destroys mechanic's shop

A fire late Sunday afternoon on Fifth Street E. in Polson destroyed David Young’s shop, but was quenched before it could spread to the adjacent family home.

Mission Valley Events Roundup

Your guide to events in the Mission Valley

Man pleads guilty to ATV thefts

A Ronan man is accused of stealing a pair of ATVs on separate occasions. Kesean Eugene Burke, 24, entered a plea of guilty in District Court in Polson on Aug. 7 to two counts of felony theft.

Honduran man charged with attempted rape

A man from Honduras is accused of attempting to rape a woman in a public restroom at a Polson hotel on July 18.