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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mission Valley Calendar
Upcoming events and meetings in the Mission Valley
Polson Seniors: Thanks volunteer drivers
We must thank the volunteer drivers, the “old timers” and the “rookies,” who have stepped up to the plate, so to speak. We have added a fifth route due to the higher volume of meals delivered to the needy. Our recent survey of client satisfaction is being conducted, and we will publish our findings as soon as possible.
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.
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.
Arlee Fourth of July Parade honors veterans
“Home of the Free because of the Brave” is the parade theme of the 76th annual Arlee Fourth of July Parade.
Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies
Stories harvested from the Lake County Leader, June 6, 2016
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.
Mission Valley Food Fling: Pizza
Our first installment features a universal favorite: pizza. The first-ever pizza was made generations before the state of Montana even existed and thousands of miles away in Italy. Nonetheless, Mission Valley is home to a unique group of pizza eateries.
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.
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.”
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.
Polson Seniors: Board of Directors searching for candidates
Our Board of Directors is searching for candidates to serve the membership of Polson Senior Center. We need you. We need your support in a leadership position. Terms begin end of July.
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.