Tuesday, June 02, 2026
54.0°F

Male killed in possible homicide

EMILY MESSER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 months, 3 weeks AGO
by EMILY MESSER
Emily Messer joined the Lake County Leader in July of 2025 after earning a B.A. degree in Journalism from the University of Montana. Emily grew up on a farm in the rolling hills of southeast Missouri and enjoys covering agriculture and conservation. She's lived in Montana since 2022 and honed her reporter craft with the UM J-School newspaper and internships with the RMEF Bugle Magazine and the Missoulian. At the Leader she covers the St. Ignatius Town Council, Polson City Commission and a variety of business, lifestyle and school news. Contact Emily Messer at [email protected] or 406.883.4343 | November 6, 2025 2:50 PM

At approximately 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 6 the City of Polson Police were dispatched to Fifth Street East and 15 Street Avenue East regarding a male with a gunshot wound.  

Polson Police chief George Simpson said officers arrived on scene and rendered aid. The male was then transported to St Joseph's Medical Center and pronounced deceased. Simpson reported that two people were detained as part of the investigation, which remains ongoing.  

Simpson said the Polson Police Department is working with its partners, which include Lake County Sheriff's Office, Flathead Tribal Police and Montana Highway Patrol. Simpson explained that the department is in the process of notifying family members.  

Simpson noted that this scene is in the same location as the mechanic shop that caught fire earlier this year. This story will be updated as more information is released by Simpson. 

ARTICLES BY EMILY MESSER

Non-stop rainfall causes flooding in the Mission Valley
June 2, 2026 7:39 a.m.

Non-stop rainfall causes flooding in the Mission Valley

All the reservoirs are either “close to restriction or full,” according to Flathead Indian Irrigation Project manager Nick Belcourt, who has been coordinating the efforts to transfer water into the natural drainages to help with flooding mitigation as continuous rainfall floods the Mission Valley.

May 28, 2026 midnight

Polson Commission votes to change meeting time, approves new workers comp carrier

After a suggested joke about changing the meeting time, during its meeting May 18 the Polson City Commission unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance changing the meeting time from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. to better accommodate staff and the public.

Mission Town Council hires temporary clerk, donates back to the community
May 28, 2026 midnight

Mission Town Council hires temporary clerk, donates back to the community

The St. Ignatius town clerk, Amberly Walker, submitted her resignation and will serve her last day on Thursday, May 28, leaving the town to find a quick solution.