Lauryn Buhr: Always lending a helping hand
Lauryn Buhr attributes some of her hectic extracurricular schedule to her dad, local banker Jamie Buhr.
Black-powder enthusiasts gather for Fort Connah Turkey Shoot
“Fire in the hole,” someone yelled as the ear-piercing crack of a black-powder rifle split the silence last Saturday at Fort Connah, north of St. Ignatius.
Three Native women offset Lake County's red rout
Lake County sends four new legislators to Helena in January, and due, in part, to statewide redistricting, three are Democrats: Shelly Fyant and Jacinda Morigeau, both of Arlee, and Thedis Crowe of Heart Butte. Also new to the delegation is Tracy Sharp of Polson.
Drug Court: Breaking the cycle of addiction
“This is one of my proudest moments,” said Susan Pierre, standing before a crowded courtroom on the third floor of the Lake County Courthouse. “I have my son, my daughter, my niece all graduating from Drug Court.”
Polson officer receives Lifesaving Award
Police Chief George Simpson presented officer Marcus Lindquist with a Lifesaving Award during Monday night’s meeting of the Polson City Commission.
Arlee basketball coach killed in head-on collision
The community of Arlee is grieving the loss of 29-year-old Anthony J. "Nugget" Whiteman Runs Him, who died after colliding with a large truck in Ravalli last Thursday, Oct. 31.
Charlo saves money and kilowatts with HVAC upgrade
Charlo School District board member Daniel Cahoon remembers the good old days, when he used to descend “into the dungeon” below the high school to help janitor Pat Marmon keep the school’s ancient heating system alive.
Let's be neighbors first
Finally, the election is upon us, and I’m pretty sure we’ll all breathe a sigh of relief when it’s over.
Election Time: Polls open Tuesday across Lake County
As of Monday, Lake County Election Administrator Toni Kramer reported that more than 60% of the absentee and early voting ballots had been returned, well in advance of Tuesday's Election Day deadline.
Polson city manager offers Civics 101 class
Polson City Manager Ed Meece is a self-described “government geek.” His enthusiasm for the inner workings of city government and his hope that citizens will catch the bug too is behind “Civics 101: Polson,” a class he’s teaching from 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 29 at Polson City Hall.
Lewings stage "Meagher of the Sword" before Australian debut
The Port Polson Players are gearing up for their 50th season of presenting live community theatre to Mission Valley audiences with a two-person production of “Meagher of the Sword.” The duo stages the show Oct. 25-27 at the John Dowdall Theatre on the Lake in Polson, before taking it to Tasmania, Australia, in January.
Former treasurer coaches new candidate for office
An old hand is temporarily at the helm of the Lake County Treasurer’s Office. But emergency acting treasurer Robin Vert-Rubel says she’ll happily relinquish the reins at the end of the year, when candidate Rebecca Maso takes the oath of office.
Sen. Tester delivers pep talk in Polson
U.S. Senator Jon Tester, the lone Democrat representing Montana at the national level, dropped by campaign headquarters in Polson Sunday to pose for pictures and chat with supporters and volunteers who were heading out to knock doors on his behalf.
City urged to tackle noxious weeds
Chuck Jarecki, a retired rancher and former member of the Lake County Weed Board, scolded the City of Polson for letting weeds proliferate on city rights-of-way during the Polson City Commission meeting on Monday.
Legislative Forum Part II: Candidates on abortion rights, housing & education
Many of Lake County's legislative candidates gathered Sept. 26 at the Montecahto Club near Finley Point for a forum moderated by Thomas Spencer, who teaches government classes at Polson High. The Leader focused on their responses to questions about Medicaid expansion and property taxes in last week's issue, and covers their stances on abortion access, housing and education this week.
Community mourns death of Ed Loder
The community of Ronan is reeling from the loss of Ed Loder, 67, who was allegedly murdered Saturday, Aug. 31, as he walked along the bike trail near his home and shop on Timberlane Road, southeast of Ronan. The family has planned his memorial service for 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, at the Sky Ridge Ranch on Timberlane.
Dragon Boats Return: Paddlers ply Flathead River
Women in pink, or wearing glitter from head to toe, lined up to slide into their seats in the 40-foot-long dragon boats.
County budget crunch apt to impact employee paychecks
Lake County employees won’t see much of a pay increase in the coming year if the county commissioners stick with a plan passed by the Board of Compensation Tuesday.
The Big Blow: Friday's storm downed trees, knocked out power
A wind speed of 58 mph was clocked Friday evening in Ronan as a storm swept through Lake County. Speeds of 47 mph riled Flathead Lake at Big Arm, while a speed of 50.8 mph was recorded at a weather station east of St. Ignatius. In Ronan, four houses were destroyed and eight people sought assistance from the Red Cross.
EPA grant funds program to monitor pesticides in water
Pesticides and herbicides are readily available and widely used by everyone from homeowners to the ag industry to municipalities. But what’s the impact of these chemicals on our water?
Five file to serve on Polson Government Study Commission
Five local residents have filed for Polson’s Local Government Review Commission, and one has filed for St. Ignatius. Ronan has no candidates, unless someone files as a write-in by Sept. 3.
The P-Town Classic: 'It's all about Polson'
The inaugural P-Town Classic, an alumni and faculty golf scramble held last Saturday, drew 81 golfers to Polson Bay Golf Course and raised $1,500 for the Polson Booster Club.
Commissioners approve levy to pay for jail expansion
Property taxes will go up across Lake County in November due to a $3.8 million judgement levy passed last week by the county commissioners to help cover the costs of expanding and remodeling the jail.
Sentinel of the Lake: Bio Station celebrates 125 years
The place known as the Sentinel of Flathead Lake has guarded the lake’s pristine water quality since 1899 and Jim Elser, director of the Flathead Lake Biological Station, hopes it will still be doing that job 125 years from now.
Passion for the natural world lands Ronan grad in Costa Rica
Mollie Sydnor, who graduated from Ronan High School in 2023, likes turtles, water and the natural world. Those interests converged during a recent internship at the Pacuare Nature Reserve in Costa Rica, where she spent a few months monitoring nesting leatherback sea turtles.
The Last Slice: Hospice nurse shares memoir
Longtime Hospice nurse RuthiE Neilan, who grew up in Ronan, shares her memoir, “A sweet Taste of the Last Slice,” during a reading and reception at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, at the North Lake County Library in Polson. She’ll also participate in the First Saturday event, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Ninepipes Museum south of Ronan.
Chock-full of Cherries: Polson festival draws vendors, visitors
Downtown Polson was bursting with ripe cherries and flooded with festival-goers during this year’s Flathead Cherry Festival, held last Saturday and Sunday.
Lake County bills DOJ for Public Law 280 expenses
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen was sent a bill Monday for $151,038 – the cost Lake County says was spent to detain, transport and prosecute tribal members accused of committing felonies in Lake County during the month of June.
Revitalizing Ronan: $1.25 million grant gives community a big boost
Four decades ago, Ronan’s Main Street was a bustling place, with grocery, clothing, furniture, hardware and drug stores, cafes and even a jewelry shop. But as small towns everywhere declined and box stores flourished, those Main Street businesses moved to the highway corridor or closed completely.
Poker Paddle attracts young and young at heart
“Wave your arms if you need help,” Kelly Thompson of Lake County Search & Rescue instructed a small boy on a neon-green kayak. That was just one of the safety tips she offered before nudging him away from shore at Boettcher Park to join the rest of his family in the Flathead Lakers Poker Paddle.
General Election shuffle continues down ballot
This weekend’s major reshuffle at the top of the presidential ticket isn’t the only impending change-up on the General Election ballot.
Good Old Days beats the heat
For more than 40 years, Good Old Days has delivered a rousing community celebration to St. Ignatius on the third weekend in July. This year’s extravaganza was no exception.
Festival of Art draws nearly 50 vendors
Kirstin Baker of Dragonfly Pottery in Belgrade brought her own fan to the Flathead Lake Festival of Art, where temperatures were in the low 90s Saturday afternoon.
Commission says yes to storage units, negotiating manager contract
The Polson City Commission considered two developments and decided whether to pursue an employment contract with the city manager at Monday's meeting.
Flathead Monster comes ashore in Polson
A sinuous creature now swims in Sacajawea Park, thanks in large part to the vision of Pat Binger, the artistry of sculptor John Leon, and the hard work of Polson City Parks and Recreation staff.
Extension crew revs up for Lake County Fair
The Lake County Extension office in Ronan is humming this time of year, as Agents Taylor Mullen and Claudia Andrade gear up for the Lake County Fair.
Community efforts help shape “the cutest fairgrounds around”
Facilities and fair manager Sjaan Vincent was helping a crew of young workers build and paint a fence recently in preparation for the upcoming Lake County Fair. They carefully measured and placed rails, then added a coat of brown paint – with Vincent lending a hand and supervising the endeavor.
Paddle Palooza: Cancer survivors paddle for health and healing
When Nan Condit first began paddling dragon boats and a solo outrigger canoe as part of her path to breast cancer recovery, she had no idea her passion would eventually morph into last weekend’s Paddle Palooza.
The British came to Polson, but didn't stay long
For the third year in a row, Polson parade-watchers were treated to a reenactment of the battles of Lexington and Concord, beginning when Paul Revere galloped down Main Street, shouting “The British are coming!”
Polson parade boasts nearly 50 entries
There were 47 entries in Polson’s Fourth of July parade – just shy of last year’s 52 entrants.
Tribal Complex named in honor of Vern Clairmont
Vern Clairmont, who died a year ago on July 11, was honored last Friday at the Tribal Complex, which has been renamed in his honor.
Outgoing finance director helped reshape budget process
Kim Sassaman, the City of Polson’s recently retired finance director, headed for her new home in Florida in late June with her second “clean audit” report behind her, and a more relaxing future ahead.
Polson commission authorizes PILT agreement with S&K Gaming
The Polson City Commission unanimously approved a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) agreement with S&K Gaming during its regular meeting Monday.
County commissioners plan to impose levy for jail expansion
At a meeting Monday morning, the Lake County Commissioners unanimously approved two resolutions aimed at financing the new courthouse annex and paying for an expansion of the jail.
Hospital shift: St. Joseph COO moves to St. Luke
Devin Huntley, chief operating officer at St. Joseph Medical Center, steps into the same role 14 miles south on July 15.
Fourth festivities stretch from Arlee to Polson
Parades begin at noon in Arlee, Charlo and Polson, and the 124th annual Arlee Celebration fills the Powwow Grounds with traditional dancing, drumming and vendors July 1-7.
Leader stacks up 19 statewide newspaper awards
The Lake County Leader raked in 19 awards at the Montana Newspaper Association’s 139th annual convention and awards banquet, held Saturday in Kalispell – including 10 first place awards in Division I for writing, layout and photography.
Library hosts boat-building extravaganza
Young boat builders assembled at Sacajawea Park in Polson last Thursday for the North Lake County Library’s annual boat-building challenge.
Commissioners reach out to Biden to remedy "treaty depredation"
The Lake County Commissioners sent a letter to President Joe Biden June 6, asking him to intercede “on behalf of two counties and affected U.S. citizens visiting this area” and to make compensation for “depredations” by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, mostly pertaining to the low water level in Flathead Lake last summer.
Tribes receive $7.7 million from USDA for meat-processing plant
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are among eight tribal nations that recently received an Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.