Editor
EMILY HEIMARK
[email protected]
Emily Heimark (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 in the rolling hills of southeast Missouri. She's lived in Montana since 2022 and honed her reporting craft through the UM J-School newspaper and internships at the RMEF Bugle Magazine and the Missoulian. At the Leader, she covers government, business, education, agriculture and community news. Contact Emily Heimark at [email protected] or 406.883.4343
ARTICLES BY EMILY HEIMARK
Former Rollins fire chief raises concern over proposed levy allocating nearly two-thirds towards full-time chief position
Former Rollins Fire Department chief and assistant chief Peggy Baird, who volunteered for 21 years, is raising concerns about the proposed levy, which would allocate two-thirds of the permanent increase to fund a full-time chief position.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Lake County Friday night football recap for week eight
Last week, teams across the valley took on both local and far opponents, with both Polson and Mission taking home strong wins.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Proposed changes to City of Polson government to appear on ballot
The Polson Local Government Review Study Commission completed its report earlier this year, and the proposed changes to the city charter and supplementary report of action to be taken will appear on the November ballot.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 14 HOURS AGO
Rollins Fire completes community-funded addition and remodel
After outgrowing its space, the Rollins Volunteer Fire Department sought support from the community and raised $2.2 million to fund necessary upgrades and a station addition.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 14 HOURS AGO
Native cowboy from Mission Valley travels to Kyrgyzstan for Nomad World Games
Reaching down from the back of his horse, he grabs the goat carcass, a total of 80 pounds of dead weight, as dust strikes him in the face; the adrenaline rush is never-ending, and the physical demands on his body are unreal.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 2 DAYS AGO
Native cowboy from Mission Valley travels to Kyrgyzstan for Nomad World Games
Reaching down from the back of his horse, he grabs the goat carcass, a total of 80 pounds of dead weight, as dust strikes him in the face; the adrenaline rush is never-ending, and the physical demands on his body are unreal.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 2 DAYS AGO
Incumbent Republican Mark Noland faces Democrat Patrick Fitzpatrick in Senate District 6 race
Two Bigfork residents, Incumbent Republican Mark Noland and Democrat Patrick Fitzpatrick, will compete for Senate District 6, which encompasses much of the east and west shores of Flathead Lake.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 5 DAYS AGO
A note to readers about sports coverage
The Lake County Leader has been seeking a sports reporter since May to help us deliver the local sports coverage our communities deserve. As we continue working to fill that position, we know our local coverage isn't meeting our readers' expectations.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 5 DAYS AGO
Local Native cowboy competes for Team USA in Kyrgyzstan
Reaching down from the back of his horse, he grabs the goat carcass, a total of 80 pounds of dead weight, as dust strikes him in the face; the adrenaline rush is never-ending, and the physical demands on his body are unreal.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 5 DAYS AGO
Polson City Commission hesitantly approves preliminary plat application for 90-lot Southern Slope Subdivision
Citizens filled the City of Polson Commission Chambers on Monday, Oct. 5, to express their opposition to the proposed 90-lot single-family subdivision off Skyview Lane.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 5 DAYS AGO
Republican Christopher Paul Buckles and Democrat Tyson Running Wolf battle for the Senate District 8 seat
Republican Christopher Paul Buckles and Democrat Tyson Running Wolf battle for the Senate District 8 seat this November.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 5 DAYS AGO
Lake County Friday night football recap for week seven
Football teams from across the valley showed tenacity and still put points on the board despite tough opponents last Friday night.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 5 DAYS AGO
County commissioners discuss ending county collection of irrigation fees
Lake County Commissioners once again considered no longer collecting Flathead Irrigation District fees during a commissioner meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 30, after news broke about another minimum fee increase for small parcels.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 5 DAYS AGO
Democrat incumbent faces St. Ignatius Republican again in HD 15 race
Incumbent Democrat Thedis Crowe of Heart Butte takes on Ralph Foster of St. Ignatius again for Montana’s House District 15 seat. The two faced off in 2024 for the same seat, with Crowe winning by just over 3%. The district straddles the Blackfeet and Flathead reservations, spanning from St. Ignatius …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 5 DAYS AGO
