KRISTI NIEMEYER
Kristi Niemeyer is editor of the Lake County Leader. She learned her newspaper licks at the Mission Valley News and honed them at the helm of the Ronan Pioneer and, eventually, as co-editor of the Leader until 1993. She later launched and published Lively Times, a statewide arts and entertainment monthly (she still publishes the digital version), and produced and edited State of the Arts for the Montana Arts Council and Heart to Heart for St. Luke Community Healthcare. Reach her at editor@leaderadvertiser.com or 406-883-4343.
Recent Stories

St-Char-Ro: A blooming success at 50
Main Street in Ronan was closed to traffic Saturday as St-Char-Ro celebrated its 50th anniversary with a street fair, inflatable bounce houses, classic cars and even a miniature race track.
Volunteer firefighters gather for spring training
Around 100 volunteer firefighters convened at the CSKT Division of Fire headquarters last Friday and Saturday for the Lake County Fire Association Spring Training.

BREAKTHROUGH: Governor signs PL 280 bill
“Well, it’s the end of a long journey,” said Lake County Commissioner Gale Decker about newly minted legislation regarding Public Law 280, a law enforcement agreement between Lake County and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
Commissioners hold hearing on proposed construction notice
The Lake County Commissioners are holding a public hearing today on a resolution that would require property owners to file a “notice of new construction” with the planning department. The proposed fee is $5 if filed before the project begins, and goes up to $1,000 if filed after construction begins.

Election results posted for schools, library and fire districts
Across Lake County last week, a smattering of mail ballots – 3,665 in all – were cast for school board, library and fire district trustees, as well as in three school levies.

Repertory Dance Theatre delivers world-class dance to Mission Valley
Mission Valley Live wraps up its performing arts season with a splash, courtesy of Repertory Dance Theatre of Utah. Members of the nation’s oldest and most successful repertory dance company will bring a dozen programs to area schools and other Mission Valley venues, before taking the stage at the Ronan Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. next Friday, May 16.

Incumbent and former parole officer file for Polson judge seat
The Polson City Commission met Monday night with attorney Jordan Crosby, who was hired during the previous meeting to help guide the process of appointing a city judge.

The family brand: Tradition lives on at Charlo ranch
From eight months to 80-plus years, the crowd gathered at the Weible Ranch south of Charlo for Saturday's branding represented generations of family and friends.

Measles Q&A: Vaccine most effective way to prevent infection
In light of a recent measles outbreak in Gallatin County, we asked Lake County Public Health Services Director Emily Colomeda for suggestions on how to protect vulnerable kids and adults.

Tribes break ground on new 400 Horses Casino
Last Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new 400 Horses Casino on the outskirts of Polson opened to the steady pulse of two drums, Yamncut and Chief Cliff, as Gene Sorrell – attired in an eagle-feather headdress – blessed the drummers and the celebration.