Flathead Basin dam managers defend management decisions
Dam managers in Northwest Montana reiterated in a public presentation last Thursday that reservoir operations during drought years require a delicate balance of competing objectives. “There will be tradeoffs,” cautioned Jennifer Carrington, regional director for the Bureau of Reclamation, which oversees the Hungry Horse Dam above Columbia Falls.
El Nino's return could spell dry, warm winter for Western Montana
Above normal temperatures and below average precipitation is projected for Western Montana this winter as a strengthening El Nino climate pattern takes hold for the first time in four years.
Zinke, Daines want water released from Hungry Horse
Flathead Lake’s low water level this summer has drawn the attention of Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke, who called the situation an “oncoming crisis.”
Zinke wants water released from Hungry Horse Reservoir to fill Flathead Lake
Flathead Lake’s low water level this summer has drawn the attention of Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke, who called the situation an “oncoming crisis.”
Affordable housing program interests Polson Commission
The Polson City Commission last week expressed interest in partnering with a nonprofit on an affordable housing program that taps into the city’s tax increment finance district funds.
Polson looks at $17M budget proposal
Revenues and expenditures are expected to balance out in Polson’s proposed $17.3 million budget for fiscal year 2023, but not without some maneuvering in the general fund.
Ruggless appointed to Polson's Ward 1 seat
The Polson City Commission on Monday voted to appoint Jen Ruggless as Ward 1 commissioner.
Noon appointed to redevelopment advisory board
Polson resident Jim Noon was appointed last week fill a vacancy on the Polson Redevelopment Agency board.
Trio of fires burning on Flathead Reservation
Crews were battling a trio of new wildfires that cropped up on the Flathead Reservation last week.
Commission OKs revisions to Polson redevelopment grant program
Revisions to Polson’s tax increment financing grant program received the green light at the City Commission’s Aug. 1 meeting.
Housing task force sets sights on solutions to worsening crisis
Describing Montana’s housing crisis as “complicated,” Gov. Greg Gianforte welcomed his newly formed Housing Task Force to the state capitol Wednesday for its inaugural meeting.
Parks department 'maintaining' services amid staffing crunch
Polson Fourth of July festivities went off with out a hitch, city parks department officials reported at last week’s parks and tree advisory board meeting.
Lake County sues state to recoup Public Law 280 funds
Following through with a threat made earlier this year, the Lake County commissioners on July 14 filed a lawsuit against the state that argues the county is owed millions of dollars for its role in providing law enforcement on the Flathead Reservation.
Polson eyed for potential crypto data center
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte last week announced preliminary plans for a new cryptocurrency data center to be constructed in Polson, potentially in partnership with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
Flathead Lake state parks see visitation declines
The state parks around Flathead Lake remained a popular destination last year, visitation data shows, but not matching the record-setting levels of the last two years.
Salary talks ongoing with city manager pick
Salary negotiations with Polson’s pick for city manager are ongoing nearly a month after the City Commission voted to begin contract talks.
Polson plans for wayfinding signs
New sign system indicating area attractions is in the works for Polson.
Districts to offer in-person, remote learning options
School districts across Lake County are planning to offer a mix of in-person and remote learning for the upcoming school year due to ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. The following is a rundown of each district’s reopening plan.
Polson selects new city manager
The city of Polson has offered its city manager position to Livingston’s former city manger Ed Meece.
Water compact heads to U.S. Senate
Legislation aimed at settling a long-running water-rights dispute in Western Montana cleared another hurdle on Wednesday as it moved out of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. The Montana Water Rights Protection Act now goes to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
Polson’s resort tax initiative tabled, for now
An initiative to have voters decide on a Polson resort tax in the November election has been put on hold.
Polson City Commission to look at resort tax proposal
Polson is once again considering a resort tax as a funding mechanism for city street improvements.
Polson directive ‘strongly’ encourages masks as cases spike
In consideration of a recent uptick of COVID-19 cases in Lake County, the city of Polson on Thursday issued a directive “strongly encouraging” the use of masks in public.
Republicans want local hearings on compact
Republican legislators across the state have requested local hearings on the Montana Water Rights Protection Act after the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs recently took a first look at the proposed legislation.
DEQ taking comments on new tire landfill
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality is taking public comment on plans for a new tire landfill near Polson.
Senate committee reviews water compact
The Montana Water Rights Protection Act received a favorable review from Interior officials last week as the Senate Indian Affairs Committee took a first look at the proposed legislation.
Showboat Cinema gets extension on remodel grant
The Showboat Cinema expansion and remodel project in downtown Polson is on the final stretch.
Sewer rate hike coming in August
Polson city residents will see an increase on the sewer bill beginning this summer.
Barron wins 3rd term on commission
Lake County voters on June 2 gave incumbent County Commissioner Bill Barron a third term in office.
Polson gets funding for SWAT gear
Polson Police Department has been awarded a $72,000 federal grant to purchase quick-response protective equipment.
Polson adopts smoking ban for city parks
Polson has formally adopted a no smoking policy for its city parks.
Polson city manager field narrowed to 6 candidates
A committee tasked with finding a new city manager for Polson has narrowed the field to a handful of candidates.
Command Center warns of possible ‘surge’ in virus cases
The Unified Command Center charged with preparing for COVID-19 cases in Lake County is warning residents about the possibility of an uptick in new cases in the coming weeks, especially given the area’s high percentage of residents considered to be in an at-risk category.
Permit approved for new daycare in Polson
A special-use permit for a new daycare facility was given the go-ahead from the Polson City Commission last week.
County, Tribes take different approach to reopening economy
Businesses across Montana are beginning to reopen after Gov. Steve Bullock last week lifted a statewide stay-at-home order that had been in place due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Downtown building to receive major remodel
A significant upgrade to a building in downtown Polson is moving forward after the Polson City Commission last week awarded the project a $17,000 grant through the Polson Redevelopment Agency.
Ruling favors Tribes in lawsuit with county, developer
A federal judge has ruled in favor of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in a lawsuit with Lake County and a developer over an access road to a proposed RV park in Big Arm.
Lake County to conduct primary election by mail
Lake County Commissioners last week voted unanimously to hold an all-mail ballot election for the June 2 primary in an effort to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Polson declares state of emergency due to virus
The Polson City Commission voted unanimously in a special meeting March 24 to declare a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lake County records second COVID-19 case
Lake County recorded its second COVID-19 patient Saturday.
9 candidates looked at for Polson city manager
The firm tasked with finding a new city manager for Polson has presented the City Manager Search Committee with a handful of candidates to consider.
9 candidates looked at for Polson city manager
The firm tasked with finding a new city manager for Polson has presented the City Manager Search Committee with a handful of candidates to consider.
Schools closed statewide for 2 weeks
Households and workplaces are regrouping this week after Gov. Steve Bullock directed Montana’s public K-12 schools to close Monday through March 28.
Polson misses out on grant for sewer project
Polson won’t receive a big grant it was hoping to secure for an upcoming wastewater project.
Commissioners seek documents from Daines
Lake County Commissioners have filed a Freedom of Information Act request with U.S. Sen. Steve Daines’ office in an effort to get documents related to the senator’s proposed Montana Water Rights Protection Act.
Glacier Bank donates to Boys and Girls Club project
Local branches of Glacier Bank donated $10,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Lake County last week as part of its five-year pledge to boost the club’s endowment fund.
City eyes state funding for major sewer project
An estimated $1.8 million project to replace aging and failing sewer lines in Polson could begin as soon as this summer if a variety of funding sources are secured.