Ailport sentenced to 110 years for driving truck into house

A Polson man, convicted at trial of attempted deliberate homicide, arson and criminal mischief, was sentenced in District Court in Polson June 12 to a total of 110 years in the Montana State Prison.

Our senators need to stand up for democracy

The No Kings rallies on June 14 made up the largest single-day protest in US history. In our mostly-red state, Montana had 29 protests, with thousands of participants.

Thoughts & prayers just don't cut it

A Minnesota State Representative has been shot and killed. So has her husband. A Minnesota State Senator has been shot, but not killed. So has his wife. And a shocked America offers up its thoughts and prayers, which seems to be the best that a shocked America can do.

Ronan grad joins next generation of elite Navy rescue swimmers

Airman Adriana Tatukivei, a native of Ronan, is serving in the U.S. Navy assigned to Aviation Rescue Swimmer School (ARSS) where the next generation of Aviation Rescue Swimmers (AIRRs) are taught to execute life-or-death rescues in the most extreme conditions imaginable.

More than 300 attend Polson's No Kings protest

A colorful crew if protesters lined the intersection of Highways 93 and 35 in Polson Saturday, waving signs and banners opposed to what participants describe as the autocratic leanings of President Trump.

Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies

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

Polson Seniors: The history behind Juneteenth

On June 19, 1865, nearly 100 days after the Civil War ended, the Army of the United States freed all the nearly 250,000 slaves in Texas, the last state to abolish involuntary servitude. An abbreviation of this memorable event became “Juneteenth”. Soldiers died to make men free, and to keep us free to this day. Be awake. Stay alert.

Competing dispensaries vie for licenses

Appeals from competing marijuana dispensaries lit up the Ronan City Council meeting on June 11.

Proposed SNAP cuts could deepen food Insecurity in Montana

The Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN) is deeply concerned by the proposed budget reconciliation bill, which would significantly weaken the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – a lifeline for thousands of Montanans and millions of Americans.

Legals for June, 19 2025

Legals for June, 18 2025

Polson Commission hears from four judicial candidates

The Polson City Commission interviewed four candidates for city judge Monday night and plan to consummate the selection process at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 25.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 ...

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, 12 2025

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.