Changing streams
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Lighting up the night
RONAN — Lightning danced across the sky as teams of walkers circled the illuminated Ronan High School track last Friday night during Lake County’s 17th Annual Relay for Life.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
A time to celebrate!
ARLEE — Fourth of July is arguably the biggest week of the summer in the little town of Arlee, nestled beneath the rolling hills on the south end of Lake County. Every year, visitors from across the country converge on the Arlee powwow grounds for the annual Arlee Celebration.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Mission man pleads innocent to charges of assault
POLSON — St. Ignatius resident Byron Joseph Colon, 20 years old, pleaded not guilty to charges of assault with a weapon, counts I and II, both felonies, in Lake County District Court on Wednesday, June 27.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Arson investigation underway
LAKE COUNTY — A string of suspicious fires has captured the attention of Lake County law enforcement. Lake County Sheriff’s detectives are working alongside search and rescue mantracker units, Flathead Tribal Police, St. Ignatius Police and the Montana Fire Marshal’s Office to investigate eight unexplained fires in the Pablo and …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
AG's office rules on allegations
POLSON — The Montana Attorney General’s Office concluded its investigations into three complaints made by members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office against Sheriff Jay Doyle, his former undersheriff, Karey Reynolds, and two deputies earlier this month.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Ronan High School in national spotlight
RONAN — Events surrounding one Ronan School District administrator’s decision to cancel a guest speaker have slowed down significantly over the last few days, but in a flurry of national press coverage last week, hundreds of angry, mostly anonymous Americans rallied behind Bigfork resident Jerry Molen, who was turned away …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Buried Treasure
DAYTON — It was the year 1999 — with threats of the Y2K, or “Millennium bug,” on the horizon, and with advances into GPS making the technology available to the masses, Dayton Elementary School’s supervising teacher Casey Love came up with an idea.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Man pleads not guilty to hit-and-run
POLSON — An Arlee man pleaded not guilty to five felony charges for his role in a hit-and-run that injured four people in Charlo last month.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Superintendent candidates come to town
POLSON — Three candidates for superintendent will visit Polson early next week for a full-day affair that includes meetings with students, faculty, staff, community members and tribal government representatives before a formal board interview that is open to the public from 7:30-9 p.m. at the high school library.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Park gets an upgrade
POLSON — Polson philanthropist Paul McCann recently donated $25,000 to upgrade playground equipment at Boettcher Park.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Recycling drop-off sites up and running
POLSON — Recycling has never been easier for Lake County residents.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
10Sticks: Getting definition at state
MISSOULA — Culminating a program-defining second season of lacrosse action in the Mission Valley, 10Sticks played its best lacrosse right when it needed to, winning one game and dropping two during the Montana State Lacrosse Championships in Missoula over the weekend.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Stepping up and slamming down
PABLO — For 10 years, Two Eagle River students have been stepping up and slamming down at the school’s annual art slam.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Wrecks remind drivers to pay close attention
POLSON — Local emergency crews responded to two minor accidents within a 35-minute window at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 93 and MT Hwy. 35 Sunday afternoon. As summer traffic picks up around town, authorities urge drivers to pay attention behind the wheel.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
10Sticks: FULL SPEED AHEAD
PABLO — The 10Sticks Lacrosse offense was firing on all cylinders last Thursday against Missoula Sentinel.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Women 4 Wellness sponsors Run 4 It! 5K
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Polson city worker fired, later arrested
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Former Polson city employee arrested after making threats
POLSON — Lake County Sheriff’s deputies arrested former city building inspector Ronald Phillip Melvin at his home in Polson Tuesday, May 15 on felony charges of threats and improper influence in official or political matters.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Two altercations involve weapons at Polson bars
POLSON — Police have made one arrest and are seeking a second individual who allegedly drew knives during an altercation at Polson’s Salish Bar early Sunday morning.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
10Sticks: Fourth-quarter comeback kids
WHITEFISH — An inspired fourth quarter brought new life to the never-saydie 10Sticks Lacrosse squad Sunday afternoon in Whitefish.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
The show must go on!
RONAN — Could this be the final Cabaret?
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Lacrosse: More than just a game
PABLO — The 10Sticks Lacrosse Club played two tough games last week and fell twice, but proved that sometimes just playing the game matters more than the score.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Tribal education awards showcase unsung heroes
PABLO — Arlee freshman Zachary Felsman took home top honors last Thursday night at the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Education Department’s award banquet. The hardworking student-athlete went home with the 2012 CSKT High School Student of the Year award and a sharp-looking Pendleton jacket over his shoulders.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Mission club reaches out for Earth Day
ST. IGNATIUS — A new Mission High School club — Students Serving Community — only started this year, but in only a few short months, the group has made a mark on the town of St. Ignatius. From organizing food drives to spreading holiday cheer with caroling around town, about …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Catching Fire
PABLO — The 10Sticks Lacrosse Club is really hitting its stride.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Ronan hires new principal
RONAN — Kevin Kenelty will be the next principal at Ronan High School after the board approved his hiring at its monthly meeting on Thursday, April 12, 2012.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Lake county to develop parks and trails master plan
LAKE COUNTY — The Lake County Parks Board is developing a countywide parks and trails plan and it’s looking to the community to help guide the development and maintenance of its parks and trails over the next several years. Do you want more and better trails? Lake or river access? …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Polson man files lawsuit against city
POLSON — Polson resident Rory Horning filed a lawsuit in Lake County District Court against the city of Polson Monday, claiming he was denied his Constitutional rights to protest governmental action, participate in the operation of city government, the pursuit of happiness and free speech.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
The Creator's Game
PABLO — If you haven’t yet heard about the 10Sticks Lacrosse Club, you’ve got some catching up to do. Last year, coach Alex Alviar, a professor at Salish Kootenai College, started a buzz that’s turned into a rumble. He’s aiming to build a social culture and a community centered upon …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Life with a lynx
Danielle Franklin doesn’t have pictures or knick-knacks in her house, she doesn’t get to have guests come over unannounced, or even go on vacation — because no one is going to watch her cat.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Rotary set to raise $100,000 for aquatic center
POLSON — The Rotary Club of Polson recently set a goal to raise $100,000 for Mission Valley Aquatics through member donations and the club’s Signature Project, the Aug. 25, 2012 Festival of Youth and Chili Cook Off event.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
City adopts parks master plan
RONAN — On Monday night, clear heads and common sense prevailed at Ronan City Hall when the city council approved the Ronan Parks and Recreation Department’s Master Plan, which was presented last month and put to a vote on March 12, earning different results.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Free flying: Rehabilitated snowy owl released in Polson
POLSON — A young female snowy owl got a second chance to fly free after sustaining a shotgun wound to her right wing near Malta, Mont., in mid-December. Following nearly three months of rehabilitation at the Montana Raptor Conservation Center (MRCC) in Bozeman, owl experts released the magnificent white bird …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Restructuring will reduce Polson family services office to satellite
POLSON — Effective May 1, all but two staff members at the Lake County Child and Family Services office in Polson will be relocated to Missoula or Kalispell and the Polson office will continue to operate as a satellite office of the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS).
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Man arrested after shots fired at standoff
KINGS POINT — Following an early-morning standoff involving several local law enforcement agencies, officers apprehended 67-year-old Glen Smith from his home on Kings Point Road near Polson Monday morning.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
A whole lotta whoo-pla: Snowy owls and the people who view them are giving a much-needed boost to the local economy
MISSION VALLEY — For many business owners in the Mission Valley, the winter months can be trying at best. It’s no secret, once the snowbirds leave, things slow down considerably. This year, however, a different kind of bird, the snowy owl, has brought an unexpected boost to the local economy.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Invasive mussels intercepted on border
IDAHO/MONTANA BORDER — Idaho’s Department of Agriculture has intercepted three boats transporting invasive mussels on nearby roadways so far this year.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
County officials address concerns
POLSON — Lake County officials, Sheriff Jay Doyle, county attorney Mitch Young and Commissioner Bill Barron, were guest speakers at last Thursday night’s meeting of the Lake County Republican Central Committee.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
K-Kids chip in for the aquatic center
POLSON — K-Kids, a group of philanthropic fourth graders at Linderman Elementary, raised $456.80 for Mission Valley Aquatics after two weeks of collecting change in piggy banks and selling hot chocolate twice to their classmates as they circled the school’s walking path.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Learning practical creativity
RONAN — K. William Harvey Elementary art teacher Barnaby Smith had to get creative when he wanted to teach his students knitting. Instead of looms, which the school didn’t have, they used tin cans of various sizes lined with popsicle sticks.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Polson scraps cell phone ordinance
POLSON — Ordinance 660, prohibiting the use of handheld electronic communication devices while operating a motor vehicle within city limits and providing a civil penalty, died last week after the motion to accept its first reading failed to earn a second, last Wednesday night.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Commission denies former asst. police chief's appeal
RONAN — The Ronan Police Commission voted against an appeal for reinstatement by former Assistant Chief of Police Art Walgren, Monday.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Mission Valley Aquatics: Building for the future
POLSON — If you’ve ever dangled your toes over the edge of a pool, you know that dreaded feeling that comes when you’re about to jump in. That moment when your warm body is overcome with the cool water, you feel both refreshed, and a bit panicked, all at once.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Thinning the herd: 49 Wild Horse Island bighorn sheep relocate to Dillon's Tendoy Mountains
WILD HORSE ISLAND — Life is good for bighorn sheep on Wild Horse Island — that is, until the helicopter comes, and then it’s time to run for the trees.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Lake County Undersheriff resigns
POLSON — Dan Yonkin will take over as Lake County Undersheriff on Feb. 14, following the departure of Undersheriff Karey Reynolds, who resigned on Friday, Jan. 27.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
City looks at mobile phone ordinance
POLSON — The Polson City Commissioners gave the OK to city staff to begin drafting an ordinance prohibiting the use of mobile phones while driving in the city.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Lifesavers
POLSON — Polson Police Officer Jim Atkins and Lake County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Mike Carlson were awarded the Lifesaving Ribbon Wednesday night at the Polson City Council meeting. Polson Police Chief Wade Nash said the award is presented to officers whose actions go above and beyond the call of duty …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Winter hits with a vengeance
LAKE COUNTY — A steady snow has persisted for much of the day Thursday, but the worst of the accumulation is over, according to Marty Whitmore, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Missoula.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
County seeks apology from superintendent
POLSON — Lake County commissioners are asking for a public apology from Polson School District Superintendent David Whitesell for comments he made, which referenced illegal activity by the county treasurer, during the district’s December board of education meeting on Monday, Dec. 12.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Lake County officers face federal court charges
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Tribes elect new leadership
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Polson's Polar Plunge
About 30 daring people threw caution to the wind when they took the notorious Polar Plunge on an unusually warm New Year’s Day at Riverside Park in Polson.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Santa's little helpers
POLSON — Santa’s elves never worked so hard.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
A whole new kind of park
RONAN — Most city parks have slides and swings, some have see-saws or monkey bars and the occasional bouncing dinosaur. But have you ever seen a playground with a zip line running from an eagle’s nest into a bear den?
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Polson's downtown lights up for the season
POLSON — There was no shortage of holiday cheer in Polson last Friday night for the Annual Lake County Leader Parade of Lights, tree lighting and Sandpiper Artwalk.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Kovick pleads not guilty to fraud, money laundering
MISSOULA — One of two Polson men who allegedly spearheaded the largest Ponzi scheme in Montana state history pleaded not guilty to federal charges of mail fraud, wire fraud and 21 counts of money laundering during a federal court session in Missoula on Nov. 29.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Bomb threat called into school
RONAN — Ronan High School was evacuated Wednesday afternoon when an anonymous caller reported a bomb in the building.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Pre-turkey calorie burn
Area runners and walkers had the chance to burn off a few pre-Thanksgiving calories Thursday morning at the Turkey Trot 5K, sponsored by Polson Running.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Leader Fall Sports Awards
We hand out accolades for one heck of a fall season by numerous
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
A hearty helping of community spirit: Volunteers serve hundreds at Ronan's community meal
RONAN — Thirty-two turkeys, 45 pies and 100 pounds of potatoes.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Kane and Hazel: Blazing trails
CHARLO — Twelve-year-old Kane Shenyer is blazing trails for youth in Lake County.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Home for the holidays: Dinner display urges drivers to be safe
POLSON — Diana Schwab will tell you she’s not a big fan of statistics, but the numbers 79 and 61 are the focus of her “Empty Dinner Party” display, which you can see at Polson’s First Interstate Bank all week.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Tribes pay tribute to vets
PABLO — Freedom isn’t free; and nobody knows that better than America’s veterans.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO
Aquatic center gets OK on road variance
POLSON — On Tuesday, Nov. 1, Polson’s Board of Adjustments approved a variance to the city’s code which will allow Mission Valley Aquatics to build a 20-foot, chip sealed road to the aquatic center, rather than the 26-foot asphalt road with curbs, gutters and sidewalks the Polson City/County Planning Board …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS AGO
When you wish upon a star
RONAN — There were plenty of laughs, maybe even a few tears, and certainly quite a few people restraining themselves from singing along when “The Power of Dreaming,” a musical created and performed by the Ronan seventh and eighth grade drama class, went off to a standing ovation last weekend …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS AGO
Linderman teacher earns technology grant
POLSON — Linderman fourth grade teacher Brittany Simonich got a pleasant surprise Thursday, Oct. 28 when CenturyLink Market Development Manager John Bemis awarded her a $3,200 technology grant, the last presentation of 10 grants totaling $50,000 that were distributed statewide.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS AGO
It's the Monster Mash!
POLSON — Ghosts and ghouls raced through the streets of Polson Saturday morning, and running beside them were bunnies and kittens and… superheroes? Participants in the annual Monster Mash Fun Run were encouraged to run in their Halloween costumes, an entertaining twist to the typical 5K experience.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS AGO
I RUN for US
POLSON — It’s important for kids to feel like they belong — no one knows that better than a middle school teacher.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS AGO
Q&A WITH PADEN ALEXANDER
The Lake County Leader talks with Mission’s cross country
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS AGO
Stand Down aims to help vets
ARLEE — Veterans and their family members were given the chance to ask questions and connect with the national, state and local organizations at the Arlee Powwow Grounds last Friday and Saturday.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS AGO
CC: Mission girls, Ronan boys first in Pablo
PABLO - Saturday was a good day for Lake County cross country
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS AGO
CC Divisionals: Polson girls take first, boys take second
POLSON - Things are clicking for the Lady Pirate cross country
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS AGO
X Country Thomas
Jacob Thomas at cross country divisionals Polson 10-15-11
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 13 YEARS AGO
X Country Carlson
Zeke Carlson at cross country divisionals Polson 10-15-11
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 13 YEARS AGO
Walk to Bike to School
RONAN — Ronan Parks Superintendent Jennifer Rolfsness knows that real change takes time, but that doesn’t mean she’s waiting around for it to happen.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Ronan CC takes third
Chiefs and Maidens have best Class B finish at Whitefish
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Fighting on all fronts
POLSON — On July 11, 2007, 15-year-old Christian McCurdy woke up with double vision. The Polson student didn’t think much of it and promptly scheduled a visit to the eye doctor.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Q&A: Polson's BIG THREE talk teamwork
Polson’s Big Three know a thing or two about teamwork. This core group of veteran cross country runners has proven time and again that greatness can come to those who balance personal glory with doing what’s best for the team. They’ve run as a ferocious pack for most of the …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Tomy Parker - Living his LIFE
Local hero proves that attitude is everything
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Guts & Glory: Hard work in Hamilton
HAMILTON — It took plenty of guts for two Lake County runners to earn the glory last weekend at the Hamilton Invitational.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
City waives impact fees for Mission Valley Aquatics
POLSON — Monday night, the Polson City Commission voted unanimously to waive $66,688 in previously paid impact fees for the non-profit entity Mission Valley Aquatics, which has begun construction for a community indoor swimming pool in Polson.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Teaching tradition: People's Center introduces students to time-honored ways during Native American Awareness Week
PABLO — A visit to the People’s Center last week may have been a little overwhelming if you were not first given the proper introduction.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Note from the Newsroom: Happy Birthday, Tomy Parker
What did you do on your 21st birthday?
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Fort Connah: A window to the past
POST CREEK — Its view hasn’t changed much in 165 years.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Strong showing at Flathead Invitational
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
New life, new hope, new voice
Indigenous Summer Theater performance brings Dixon storyteller’s play to life
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Public weighs in on USPS closures
ELMO — The United States Postal Service held two public meetings in Lake County last week, seeking public comment on the potential closures of two of the county’s rural post offices — Elmo and Dixon.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Arlee Football: Running Wild
Warrior RB Zach Tameler wows Arlee crowd in home opener
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
For the youth: Rotary raises $15,000 for B&G Club with annual chili cook-off
POLSON — The Polson Rotary Club not only cooked up some tasty chili Saturday, but they looked good doing it.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Fire crews on high alert
POLSON — The Polson Fire Department put out a small grass fire along the bike path near Hillcrest Drive Saturday night. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Grillers go wild: Competitive chefs square off at Third Annual Smokin' on the Water
POLSON — The music was pumpin’, the beer was flowin’ and the barbecue was smokin’ all day Saturday as the Polson Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors worked their tails off in the hot sun during the Third Annual Smokin’ on the Water barbecue cook-off at the KwaTaqNuk Resort.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Early morning crash causes stir
POLSON — At 7:09 a.m. Monday, a woman driving a maroon sedan drifted across U.S. Highway 93, totaling her car into a large blue spruce across from Richwines in Polson.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Going to the Sun
It was a simple misunderstanding. An out-of-towner without a clue, my friend's sister, Christie, was driving cross-country and asked if I lived anywhere near Whitefish, Mont. where she had apparently stopped for the night.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Aquatic center dealt setback from planning board
POLSON — It’s been a long road for Mission Valley Aquatics — and it’s a 1,450-ft-long road that has created the most recent setback for the non-profit group working to build a public indoor aquatic center in Polson.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Hard work and camaraderie
RONAN — White top, black pants and hard-soled shoes. The dress code for 4-H participants at the Lake County Fair is pretty simple. Yet, when you sit back and watch students running around the fairgrounds during fair week, you quickly come to discover that the life of a 4-Her is …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Knowing the ropes: Hallie Hovenkotter
Veteran 4-Her Hallie Hovenkotter is taking it easy at the Lake County Fair this year. Taking it easy is relative.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Splish splash: Shovels hit dirt at the site of Polson's new aquatic center
POLSON — “There’s no more room for doubting,” said Polson resident Matt Seeley, husband to Mission Valley Aquatics Project Director Tana Seeley, in his closing remarks to a standing-room only crowd at the MVA groundbreaking ceremony last Friday afternoon.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Lighting up Polson's downtown
POLSON — Polson’s snazzy new Main Street was cause for celebration Friday during the “Celebrate Our City Center, Light up the Town” event.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Note from the Newsroom: Mission Valley Aquatics: A dream becomes reality
I think about it and that space behind my eyes starts to swell. My cheeks pucker and my body, from head to toe, feels weak for just a moment.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Breaking new ground: Mission Valley Aquatics begins construction on swimming facility
POLSON — Eight lanes, 25 yards and several decades in the making.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Warmer temps may bring big-time melt
LAKE COUNTY — The Mission Mountain Range holding a significant flood potential, that’s no shocker to anyone following the news this spring. But, according to Bruce Bauck, meteorologist with weather service in Missoula, this week’s warm weather could make things extra-interesting.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Community responds to rising water
LAKE COUNTY — With forecasted highs struggling to reach the 60s during the later part of the week, National Weather Service officials say the rate of snowmelt should stabalize and high water levels should recede.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Flood warning issued for Lake County
LAKE COUNTY — The National Weather Service put Lake County in Flood Warning stage as of Tuesday afternoon, predicting additional rainfall and snowmelt runoff will lead to significant flooding across Northwest Montana and Idaho this week.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Facing Adversity
RONAN — There are few milestones in life as meaningful at the time as one’s high school graduation. Ronan’s graduating class of 2011 celebrated with family and friends in a packed gymnasium Sunday afternoon.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Crews battle flames at National Bison Range
MOIESE — The St. Ignatius and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal fire departments responded to an out of control grass fire along the Jocko River Saturday around 3:20 p.m. The incident occurred about 1.25 miles west of the U.S. Highway 93 and MT Hwy. 200 intersection near Ravalli. A swirling …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Foal joins Wild Horse herd
WILD HORSE ISLAND — Even the most well-thought out plans can go awry. Only nine months after Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials added a set of four wild mares to fill the management plan quota for Flathead Lake’s Wild Horse Island, in an unexpected twist, a sprightly painted foal …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Spring cleaning
RONAN AND POLSON — It’s that time of year again — Time to dust off the cobwebs and dig out the yard tools, especially if you live in Ronan orPolson where the effort to clean up the streets is contagious.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Landmark settlement hits close to home
PORTLAND, ORE. — In a landmark settlement, the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus, the parent order to Jesuits in Montana, Alaska, Washington, Idaho and Oregon, has agreed to pay $166.1 million to more than 500 survivors of sex-abuse who filed claims spanning a 40-year period.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Polson man pleads not guilty in federal court
MISSOULA — Polson resident, Eugene Eckert, pleaded innocent to the charge of aggravated sexual abuse of a child in a federal court session in Missoula on Friday, March 31.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Speaker presents vision for local food economics
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Tomy Parker: the next step
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Note from the Newsroom
It won’t be long now. As the days become longer and the sun beats down upon us, working to melt the frozen earth, I can’t help but be warmed inside as I anticipate another summer in the Mission Valley. I know it’s only March, and another big snowstorm wouldn’t be …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Tea time spans generations
Tea time took on new meaning for two very different groups of ladies on Tuesday afternoon as eighth graders from Polson Middle School visited the St. Joseph Retirement Community for tea, cookies, and conversation that spanned generations.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Jocko Valley Trails granted $10,000
ARLEE — The Arlee Community Development Corporation and Jocko Valley Trails Committee (JVTC) recently received a $10,000 grant from Bikes Belong to cover engineering costs of the hub trails providing safe routes to school and into downtown Arlee. The group is hoping to start engineering this spring and begin construction …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Dryer fire squelched
POLSON — Polson Fire Department responded to a fire in a dryer at the Wash-N-Go laundry facility on Rufus Lane in Polson last Wednesday. PPD Fire Chief John Fairchild said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Corridor study down to 12 alternate routes
POLSON — The Polson community had a chance to ask questions and voice concerns about some possible changes to the city’s roadways last Thursday night.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Books for bikes
Principal Heather Jones (center) stands with fourth grader Lucas Vanderburg (left) and third grader Juliana Marengo (right), the Books for Bikes winners for Polson’s Linderman Elementary.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Flathead Lake legends wanted
LAKE COUNTY — Be it tales of large fishies or sunken battle ships, the Lake County Leader is collecting all stories Flathead Lake-related for a special publication called “Legends of the Lake.”
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
PFD responds to propane spill
POLSON — Polson fire and police departments responded to Delaney’s Landscape and Garden Center around 1:30 a.m. last Wednesday morning when a 1,000 gallon propane tank tipped over outside.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
A true hero's welcome
It was a night to remember.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Seized items returned to sheriff's office critic
POLSON – A vocal critic of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, ex-sheriff’s deputy Terry Leonard, was silenced prior to last November’s heated elections when his websites “asksheriffluckylarson.com” and the original “nojaydoylesheriff.com” were shut down, his house searched and computers, electronic storage devices and printed e-mails confiscated. However, on Thursday afternoon, …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Mission Valley Health Clinic closes its doors
ST. IGNATIUS — Maps and photographs, framed posters and a Christmas tree. The building’s beige walls and its wooden ceiling create a warm, soft light that makes you feel at ease. With racks of colorful books and childrens’ games lined up along the floor, the Mission Valley Heath Clinic felt …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Council okays alternate MVA site
POLSON — On Monday night, with a vote of 4-2, the Polson City Council approved a nominal lease of $100 per year to Mission Valley Aquatics if they should so choose to purchase the Tamsco property located on Kerr Dam Road. Several members of the council voiced their support of …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Christmas comes early
POLSON — Christmas came a week early for about 80 Lake County children because Polson’s Nancy Hausermann spent the last 1.5 months turning a cabin into Santa’s workshop and filling it with toys for Lake County children in need. Last Saturday was a special evening for children and their families …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Priscilla Study Club: 100 years and going strong
POLSON — Events and exhibits were widespread throughout this year as the city of Polson celebrated its centennial in 2010. An interesting sidebar to the centennial celebration, Polson’s first social club, the Priscilla Club, was also founded in 1910, the year the Flathead Indian Reservation was opened to homesteaders.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Chariots of fire, hearts of gold
CHARLO — A box with some strings attached, a spirited paint job and a host of animated Cub Scouts provided all the ingredients for fun at the Charlo High School gymnasium last Saturday afternoon. Cub Scouts in the Silvertip District (Ronan, Polson, Mission and Plains) competed in their annual Chariot …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Holiday spirit brings windows to life
POLSON — Another Friday night has come and gone and with it, another opportunity to be out and about on Main Street in Polson. Last Friday, as with every Friday this December, participating merchants in the Polson Business Community were open late for business. This was the fifth year for …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Smilz auction raises money, awareness of dental demons
RONAN — Johanna Clark wants to see more smiles and the St. Ignatius resident, mother of four, knows just how difficult it can sometimes be to find a smile amidst a frustrating dental emergency.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Great gifts for everyone
POLSON — Julia Roberts of Family Matters is encouraging Lake County residents to clean out their closets for the Great Gift Exchange, happening all week in Polson.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
What to wear OUTDOORS in the winter
It’s that time of year when you can’t just throw on the bathrobe and run outside for the mail. You can’t walk your dog in your slippers and you can’t survive more than a few minutes before your whole body is iced over from fingers to toes.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
A team for them: Team They
POLSON — For Polson Middle School gym teacher Cindy Templer, there’s nothing better than the sense of accomplishment she feels after crossing the finish line of a half marathon. Completing the race, celebrating with friends and family, the smiles and hugs, the joy surrounding the event – all those things …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
A Ronan Thanksgiving
RONAN — The Ronan Community Center had a full house all afternoon last Thursday for the 7th Annual Ronan Thanksgiving Dinner.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Cold turkey: Turkey Trot 2010
Winter weather greets runners on Thanksgiving morning
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Feeding the hungry this holiday season
LAKE COUNTY — As the holiday season approaches, many families across Lake County struggle with making ends meet.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
College prep starts now
POLSON — It’s never too early to start planning for life after high school. For many students, that means college preparations can start as early as freshman year. At least that’s the message staff at Salish Kootenai College’s recruiting office want to share with Lake County’s youth.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Students power it up
POLSON — Kids and power tools — that combo was in full swing last Friday morning at Cherry Valley Elementary as Polson High School’s building trades class helped kindergarten and first grade students build sets of Cornhole platforms, a bean bag toss game for the school’s playground.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Pablo Elementary: In the running
PABLO — It takes a spark to start a fire, and Pablo Elementary physical education teacher Darci Nice needs some help striking a big ‘ol match.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Veterans lead life lessons in Mission
ST. IGNATIUS — Four United States Armed Forces veterans visited St. Ignatius High School last Wednesday afternoon to share a story, give students insight to the true meaning of the flag draped coffin and to teach students the little-known specifics on how and why the military folds the American flag …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Permanent chlorination
ST. IGNATIUS — The town of St. Ignatius will permanently chlorinate its water supply, public works director Ray Frey confirmed last week.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
More than just a game
PABLO — Piles of long wooden sticks, buckets of sand, string, skins, rocks, paints, needles and beads… all were materials scattered across the tables and floor of the Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center cafeteria Thursday and Friday in Pablo. Instructors with the International Traditional Games Society, based in Great …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO
Ringing the centennial bell
ST. IGNATIUS — Mission Middle School history teacher John Fleming believes that history can’t just be learned from reading a book, and in his 37th year of teaching at St. Ignatius, he should know.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO
Permanent chlorination
ST. IGNATIUS — The town of St. Ignatius will permanently chlorinate its water supply, public works director Ray Frey confirmed last week.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO
Home of: Monika Frame and Claire Bick
POLSON — They say if you don’t jump, you’ll never know if you can fly.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO
Rockets fly at NASA camp
PABLO — A little rolled up paper and some scotch tape provided area middle schoolers with about as much fun as they could handle Saturday at NASA camp in Pablo.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO
Roadside geology lesson
POLSON — First Lady Nancy Schweitzer and Montana Department of Transportation Director Jim Lynch met with 5th grade students from Polson Middle School and featured speakers Seth Makepeace, a Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal hydrologist and Tony Incashola, Director of the Salish-Pend d’Oreille Culture Committee, last Tuesday at the Highway …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO
Scouts learn to stay put
RONAN — Cub Scouts from Pack 56 of Ronan and Charlo learned valuable lessons in wilderness survival from Project Kid Care founder Tara Carvey and members of the Lake County Search and Rescue team at their October monthly meeting last Wednesday night in Ronan.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO
How does your garden grow?
As snow begins to descend on the Mission Mountains and the air grows chill, those who love plants are saying good-bye ‘till next year or getting ready to keep them alive through the cold months. It doesn’t take a huge business operation to keep plants and vegetables alive all winter. …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO
MVA plans to break ground on a new aquatic facility this summer
POLSON — “The question is, are we going to start this thing in 2011?” Mission Valley Aquatics chairman Hu Beaver asked fellow board of director members at Monday night’s monthly meeting in Polson.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO
Survivors honored at Griz game
MISSOULA — A pre-game ceremony at the University of Montana Grizzly football game on Oct. 9 in Missoula honored more than 15 breast cancer survivors from the Polson area. Last year, Polson’s Terri Haynal, an 8-year breast cancer survivor, participated in the event’s inaugural year with about four to five …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO
A living history of Lake County schools
LAKE COUNTY — Thirteen years and hundreds of personal interviews later, Joyce Decker Wegner’s dream has finally become a reality. Next week, the retired Lake County Superintendent of Schools and Flathead Reservation Area Historical Society President will have copies of her authored work, the 524 page “Lake County School History: …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO
A summer of searches and rescues
LAKE COUNTY — According to Christy Rhine, secretary for the Lake County Search and Rescue team, LCSAR responded to 22 total search calls this summer, a number that is actually right on par with what the organization sees during an average year.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO
Glacier's gift
Autumn is my favorite season. Maybe it’s the bright colors, the cooler temperatures or the general slowing down of life in this summer recreation haven. Maybe it’s nostalgia for the start of a new school year and the excitement of high school sports playoffs. Friday night football games, Saturday cross …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO
Polson recycles
POLSON — The City of Polson now recycles cardboard, newspaper, magazines, catalogs, white office paper, aluminum cans and No. 1 and 2 plastics. City employees, Polson schools and now public bins at the city’s parks offer several outlets for disposing of recyclable materials.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Town meeting confronts underage drinking
PABLO — A panel of more than 20 people from across the spectrum of law enforcement, probation, prevention, health, human services and five local students spoke about the crisis of underage drinking, binge drinking and drinking and driving in Lake County Monday night at the Joe McDonald Fitness Center on …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Touring Kerr Dam
KERR DAM — Passing under 13,000 volts of electricity, you can really feel the heat. Among the giant concrete structures, countless lines of pipes and wires running above his head, Rich Bonnes doesn’t seem to notice as he carries on with his Friday morning rounds, diligently flashing his light onto …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Home of: Joan Hart
POLSON — Polson city police and court clerk Joan Hart is a “Type Three” personality. Characterized as the “achievers” among us, type three personalities know what it takes to get something done, and they don’t mind putting in the effort to make it happen.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Classroom jam session
d Native American story teller Jack Gladstone believes the ancient stories of his Blackfeet heritage should play an important role in today's world.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
A lil' backcountry ingenuity....it could save your life
Dr. Michael Righetti’s day job prepares him pretty well for the unexpected medical emergencies he may encounter as a backcountry horseman. The St. Joseph Medical Center orthopedic surgeon knows that a little ingenuity can go a long way when limited resources and wilderness isolation force you to think outside the …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
It's harvest time
POLSON - It's harvest time at the Polson community garden, but master gardener Kelly Ware insists gardening season is just now beginning for next year.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Through the lens
POLSON - Drawing on his character qualities of patience and persistence, as well as his spirit of adventure and physical might, wildlife photographer Eugene Beckes has spent countless hours exploring the Mission Mountain wilderness. He said he can sit for hours, camouflaged, in a remote place, waiting for the light …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Irrigating woes,with miles to go...
This month marks the end of the irrigation season and according to Gordon Wind, project manager for the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project, there will be no more water orders approved from now on. As things wind down, Wind and assistant project manager Pete Plant will begin to ramp up on …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Awareness hits classrooms
LAKE COUNTY - Students from school districts across the Flathead Indian Reservation will participate in Native American Awareness activities this week, and some events are also free and open to the public.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Class shows safety first
ARLEE - Educators and community members from across the Mission Valley gathered in Arlee last week to learn the ins and outs of bicycle safety in a two-day, plus four hours on-line, training workshop.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Corridor study focuses on future
POLSON — Jeff Key, a transportation planner with the firm CDM in Helena, spoke to a packed house at the Polson City Library meeting room last Thursday night. Key came to town for the first of several community involvement meetings regarding the Polson-area corridor and transportation studies, which will be …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
MVAS raises money after theft
POLSON — The Mission Valley Animal Shelter raised more than $3,800 at the Doggy Dash last weekend in Polson, but unfortunately, those donations will now go to off-set a break-in and robbery at the shelter’s thrift store, Seconds 2 Go, last Wednesday night.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Mastering the mountain
I've always believed the best adventures begin before you have time to think them all the way through. My boyfriend, Mike, would disagree.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
VIDEO: Peace fest
ARLEE - A vibrant blue sky was the backdrop for a day dedicated to celebrating peace at the Garden of 1,000 Buddhas in Arlee. Between 600 and 800 people were in attendance for the 6th Annual Peace Festival, an event that strives to look at how spiritual practices and principals …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Military jet joins fly-in
POLSON - Thirteen-year-old Nehemiah O'Connor knows a thing or two about airplanes, but at last Saturday's Polson Fly In, he saw something he had never seen before. A Cold War-era L-29 Dolphin, designed as a military fighter training jet, the very first jet aircraft design of the former Czechoslovakia.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Hand-crafted masterpieces
POLSON - When Polson artist Martin Mumma looks at a stump or slab of wood, he doesn't see the same thing you or I see. He sees the wood as a potential bowl, a dining room table, or a chair. Sometimes, it takes a long time before the true art …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Corridor study comes to town
POLSON - A new study by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), in cooperation with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Lake County and the City of Polson will seek to determine financially feasible improvement options and safety, environmental and geometric concerns along U.S. Highway 93 near Polson.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Doggy dash for shelter
POLSON - Mission Valley Animal Shelter manager Brenda Jones knows how quickly things can turn for the better. During one very normal day at work, she received a call from a man who said he would give the struggling animal shelter lots of money.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Science inspires art, new show
POLSON - If you had stopped by Polson's Sandpiper Art Gallery and Gift Shop last Wednesday afternoon, you never would have believed there was an opening reception slated to take place Friday evening. With bare walls and empty shelves, the gallery was cleaned out from head to toe last weekend …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
VIDEO: Melons celebrated in Dixon
DIXON - Bumblebees, battling bighorns and cowboys dressed in pink - by all accounts, the Melon Days parade went off without a hitch last Saturday.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Mission focuses on technology
ST. IGNATIUS — Fifty iMac computers will be kited out with the latest educational software and divided between two new computer labs in St. Ignatius schools this year. At the August 17 regular board meeting, trustees passed a motion to purchase computers and software for new labs in the elementary …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Blight warnings
LAKE COUNTY — Local potato farmers want to urge home gardeners to be on the lookout for signs of late blight, which has reared its ugly head in the Mission Valley this month.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Cashing in on junk
ARLEE — Anything and everything was up for grabs at the first-ever Jocko Valley Library yard sale fundraising event Saturday in Arlee. According to library director Kimberly Folden, the public seemed excited to support the library through purchasing donated items, and the library’s net profit was $381.60.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Swan Valley project seeks public input
SWAN VALLEY - Up to 9,500 acres of important fish and wildlife habitat in the Swan Valley are the topic of a current conservation effort by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP).
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Seat belt safety check
POLSON — Polson Police Officer Brian Kunz decided to become a Child Safety Seat Technician because as a crash investigator, he could think of nothing worse then being called to an accident scene where a child was hurt. The certification course, which he said was “no joke,” required an entire …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Charlo swings away
CHARLO — After three years of planning, fundraising and waiting for the right time, the Charlo Parent Teacher Association’s dream of adding four new swings, including a handicap swing, to the school’s playground is finally coming to fruition.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Untamed
Dragging a canoe, crawling through the woods, shouldering a bike through waist-deep mud and sleep monsters have never been so much fun
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
CSKT transit program thrives
PABLO - Living in one town and needing to get to another, without a vehicle, just became a little easier. Transit driver Dolly Irvne said a growing number of people utilize the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes' Department of Human Resource and Development's transit system for their morning commute. Regular …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Orders, ordinances and obstacles
Long list of items discussed at St. Ignatius town council
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Motorcycles get Cruisen clearance
POLSON - At last year's Cruisen by the Bay, Kevin Detwiler's 1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass/442 was just a frame and an engine. This year, the Ronan resident's Spanish-red, black-striped, go-fast, muscle-car sparkled in the summer sun.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Water, water everywhere
POLSON - Flathead Lake was as smooth as glass Saturday afternoon, as 75 Water Daze swimmers took off from the KwaTaqNuk docks and headed east across Polson Bay to Boettcher Park. Participants from Lake County joined visitors from Missoula, Kalispell, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington and some from as far away as …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Lawn art
Plenty of passion goes into annual Art in the Park
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
It's show time
RONAN - "When you're showing your cat, it's like getting it ready for the prom," cat show judge Cindy Bras said during her review of the junior showmanship competitors Friday morning at the Lake County Fair. "Do the nails, do the hair, everything."
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Lightning kills sheep
WILDHORSE ISLAND - Recent lightning strikes killed eight bighorn rams on Wildhorse Island, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park officials who visited the island Monday to investigate a report from TIP-MONT (Turn in Poachers Montana).
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Untamed adventure
If you’re reading this on Thursday, I’ve probably just begun.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Ronan griz captured
RONAN — Authorities finally apprehended the Ronan-area’s nuisance grizzly sow and cubs late last week, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Fish and Game bear biologist Stacy Courville said.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Boil alert downgraded
ST. IGNATIUS - A boil water order that was issued to the town of St. Ignatius on July 21 is no longer in effect.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Good morning, World
When most of the town is still fast asleep, areaa athletes take to the lake
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Bear trap set in Ronan
RONAN - Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Fish and Game bear biologist Stacy Courville doesn't get much sleep these days. Tribal dispatch, he said, has been calling him at all hours of the night because one particularly persistent, nutritionally-stressed grizzly sow with two young cubs has been frequenting chicken coops …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
100 years for community bank
RONAN — Debby Olsson McClenahan remembers the Ronan Pioneer Days community barbecues of her youth as being “a big deal.” While the event has faded away in recent years, when Montana Secretary of State, Linda McCulloch’s office, notified Olsson McClenahan and the Board of Directors at Community Bank that they’d …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Charlo BOE increases fees
CHARLO — After much discussion during the June and July meetings, the Charlo Board of Education approved the 2010-2011 student activity fee at the July 20 regular meeting.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Down to the chicken wire
LAKE COUNTY - Horse? Rabbit? Sheep? When you're a lover of all animals, how do you pick just one to raise for 4-H?
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Home of: Francis Cahoon
ST. IGNATIUS — Bull and rattlesnake skins, buffalo sinew, wild rose shoots and the skull of a bighorn ram are only a handful of the raw materials neatly at rest on Francis Cahoon’s work desk.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
E. coli contaminates water in St. Ignatius
ST. IGNATIUS - Based on two positive E. coli samples collected from one of the town's two wells on July 19 and 21, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a Boil Water Order for the town of St. Ignatius' public water supply on July 21. The order requires …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Standing Arrow faces positive changes
ELMO — With a blazing backdrop of yellow grassy hills along the shores of glistening Flathead Lake, last weekend’s Ksanka Standing Arrow Powwow was a celebration of many things — history, culture, commonality and also diversity of tribes.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Weeping willows
CHARLO - Charlo's Palmer Park has long been a place of serenity, an oasis of shade and sparkling water amidst a sea of dry, hot grass.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Memorial honors veterans
PABLO - The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes' veterans committee dedicated a new monument last Wednesday, four years in the making. Eagle Circle: Ksanka, Selis, Qlispe, Warrior/Veterans Wall of Remembrance honors the tribes' boldest and bravest, those who have given their lives for the security of their nation.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Amish auction
ST. IGNATIUS - From belt buckles to log cabins, if you couldn't find what you were looking for at the eighth annual Mission Valley Amish Auction held Saturday in St. Ignatius, you weren't looking hard enough.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Cache in on family fun
Muggles and puzzles and treasure ... oh my!
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Video: Arlee Powwow hits stride
ARLEE - It's an experience that no words can do justice. Close your eyes and feel the power from each unified beat of the drum and a singing that resonates from deep within its creator. Open them, and add to that the dancers, young and old, who translate the song's …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Home of: Loni and Alex Havlovick
POLSON - Perhaps there is no better example of family sporting bonds than recent Polson graduates Alex and Loni Havlovick.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Charlo reps Montana
KANSAS CITY - Over 5,600 people, representing all 50 states as well as Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, competed at the SkillsUSA National Championship last week. The championship, which took place in Kansas City, Mo., is a week-long event.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
MVA seeks fundraising options
POLSON - Members of the Mission Valley Aquatics board of directors met Monday to discuss plans and funding options for the community pool campaign, which is in full swing now that sunshine and warm weather have returned to Lake County.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Free food, fun and fitness
PABLO - Summer is finally here. While a relief for kids, this time of year can provide additional worries for many area parents who still work full time.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Fairground projects continue
RONAN - The Lake County Fairgrounds are getting a face-lift thanks to a number of community members and youth organizations stepping up to donate their time and a little bit of old fashioned elbow grease.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Deadline nears for property tax reviews
LAKE COUNTY — Taxpayers who did not already file for an informal review after receiving their 2009 property assessments, and those tax payers who will not get another assessment notice for 2010, have a second chance to file for an informal review of their 2009 property assessments.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Roaming free: Four added to Wild Horse herd
WILD HORSE ISLAND — Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks released four wild horses into Wild Horse Island’s Skeeko Bay Wednesday afternoon.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Charlo BOE discusses phones and prices
CHARLO — Cell phones and athletic tickets were the hot topics at last Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting in Charlo.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Spring sports siblings: seeing double
LAKE COUNTY - Editor's note: This is the third in a series of three articles about siblings participating together on spring sports teams.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Saved by the belt
POLSON - Officer Brian Kunz of the Polson Police Department honored Polson area citizen Doreen Trusler last Wednesday with the Saved By the Belt Award.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Fishing for all
WOODS BAY - One-hundred anglers with disabilities braved the choppy waters for a fun-filled day of fishing on Flathead Lake last Thursday during the 17th annual Fishing Without Barriers Day.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Home of: Jim Gilhouse
RONAN — Jim Gillhouse remembers the first day of school at K. William Harvey Elementary School. He was teaching at the old Ronan Elementary School at the time.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Wild Horse Island gains four horses
WILD HORSE ISLAND - Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks released four wild horses into Wild Horse Island's Skeeko Bay Wednesday afternoon.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Honor the Earth shines light on issues
PABLO - Salish Kootenai College's Johnny Arlee/Victor Charlo Theater hosted a panel on environmental justice last Saturday. Honor the Earth, a not-for-profit Native-led organization from Minneapolis, Minn., established by now Executive Director Winona LaDuke and Indigo Girls Amy Ray and Emily Saliers sponsored the event.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
It's grasshopper time
LAKE COUNTY - For the past six years, Sanders and Lake Counties have been infested with economically damaging grasshopper numbers and, because of that, land owners, agriculture producers, even lawn and garden people, are finding the nuisance hard to control.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Jocko Valley trails roll on
ARLEE - The Jocko Valley Trails Committee held an open house on May 24 in the Arlee High School cafeteria.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Memorial Day: more than camping and candy
LAKE COUNTY — Lake County’s celebrations began in Polson with the traditional Memorial Day parade. It took off in a spitting rain, but the candy-seeking kids lining the streets didn’t seem to mind. The holiday, which dates back to the Civil War, is the day Americans set aside to commemorate …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Taking school outdoors
KICKING HORSE - A little bit of rain and a whole lot of mud couldn't keep Ronan seventh and eighth graders from having fun at the 23rd Annual Rendezvous last Thursday.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Ronan responds at track
LAUREL - The Ronan-St. Ignatius track and field team took 14 competitors to the state meet in Laurel last weekend.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Charlo boys finish second
GREAT FALLS - The Charlo track and field team wrapped up an impressive season by leaving it all on the track this weekend at the State C meet in Great Falls.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Polson track queens
LAUREL - By some accounts, track and field is an "individual" sport. While athletes may compete in their own lanes or throw, vault and jump one-at-a-time, it was nothing short of a total team effort that won the Polson Lady Pirates a state track and field title Saturday in Laurel.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
A little fresh air before school
POLSON - They came from all directions, in all colors, shapes and sizes. Most had two wheels, some had three. Most had fat tires, some were skinny. They descended on Polson's elementary schools like a pack of wild dogs, long trains of cyclists streaming the streets.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Books and bikes collide in Charlo
CHARLO - Roper Edwards loves to read. And he loves to ride his bike.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Coffee house shows talent
ARLEE - The Arlee Music Department's Annual Coffee House fundraising event was a big hit last Thursday night as the junior high and high school bands and choirs lit up the stage.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Home of: Pecos
POLSON - Pecos is ten-years-old, with soft brown, black and white hair. She is smart, gentle and kind. She loves to give kisses and hugs. She also loves to listen.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
When a good deed isn't so good
Rescuing animals can be harmful for both parties involved
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Charlo steals the show
MISSOULA - The Charlo boys' track and field team carried their dream season one step further last weekend by not just winning the boys' Western C divisional track and field championships in Missoula, but literally blowing away the competition.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Ronan track preps for state
LIBBY - Ronan-St. Ignatius junior Jordan Franklin crossed the line of his 100-meter preliminary heat in third place Friday at the Northwestern A Divisional track meet in Libby. With only the top two advancing to the finals, he thought he was down and out even though he had posted faster …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Pirates dominate divisionals
LIBBY - The Polson girls' track team sat pretty on top of the podium for six of seven events on day one of the two-day Northwest A Divisional meet in Libby. They added four more event titles Saturday before running away with the team championship for the second year in …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Arlee sends seven to state
MISSOULA - A little bit of determination goes a long way.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
A new spin on an old art
RONAN - In today's pressurized world of smart phones, smart cars and hundreds of little devices that are smarter than you, it's refreshing to know there are still ways to connect with the natural world.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Hoel and Stanley make debut at Rural Fire Board
POLSON - Newly inducted board members Beth Hoel and Steve Stanley made their debut at the Polson Rural Fire Board meeting last Wednesday night.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Fair checks women's health
PABLO - In honor of National Women's Health Week, area hospitals from Kalispell to Missoula took part in the Second Annual Women 4 Wellness Health Fair last Thursday at Salish Kootenai College's Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center in Pablo.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Exhibit pays tribute to Native Veterans
PABLO - "What do they think when they look at the flag?" Vietnam veteran and the Director of the Tribal Culture Committee Tony Incashola asked. "The red, white and blue; the eagle staff? I see our ancestors. When I look at the red, white and blue, I see the faces …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Walk and bike to work day is May 21
I was a "walker" in elementary school. I didn't have to walk, there was a bus that came abruptly at 7:30 a.m., chugged about five miles in the opposite direction of school, and then dropped me off just in time for the bell.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Ronan-St. Ignatius put it all on the line
POLSON - If there's ever a time to lay it on the line, it's in the final meet of the regular season. There is little room for error as competition stiffens and survival-of-the-fittest becomes not just a theory, but a law.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Polson track excels at home
POLSON - Another perfect Saturday at the Polson High School track can mean just one thing... another round of fast times, big throws and soaring jumps for local athletes.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Arlee nabs second
POLSON - While sophomore Becca Nelson was the only athlete to win an event title, strong performances across the board gave the Scarlets the points they needed to surpass Hot Springs and take second to Charlo in the District C Championship meet last Thursday.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Vikings are champions
POLSON - They say records are made to be broken, but Charlo's Michael Smith knows all too well that some records won't go down without a fight.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
River honoring
Students open eyes and minds to environmental ethics and cultural awareness
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Art competes at Two Eagle River
PABLO - The eighth annual Two Eagle River Art Slam was a smashing success last Thursday, according to English Instructor and Art Slam Organizer Rebekah Knudsen-Dalbey.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Returning to Lake County
Reporter Ali Bronsdon returns after an adventure-filled hiatus
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Lake County starts recycling program
POLSON - Save your plastic bottles, cardboard boxes, steel and aluminum cans - a new recycling program is coming to town.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Can't stop, won't stop
Polson's walk-a-thon raises money and awareness
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
It's a Lake County thing
Area schools compete at invitation in Polson
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
New horizons shown on Ag Day
IRVINE FLATS - Just a few miles outside of town, nestled between endless grassy hills and the meandering Lower Flathead River, Mac Binger's ranch could be a world away. To some of the roughly 250 local fourth graders from Polson, Ronan, Pablo and Valley View schools, it was.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
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