Reporter
EMILY MESSER
[email protected]
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
ARTICLES BY EMILY MESSER
Mission airport receives nearly $500,000 improvement grant
The St. Ignatius Airport received a $495,000 grant, and Polson Airport received $30,960, with a $5,040 loan, from the Montana Aeronautics Board to fund infrastructure and safety improvements.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
A VOICE celebrates 20 years of consistency
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Commissioners approve architectural design proposal for jail expansion
The Lake County Commissioners approved an estimated $70,000 for an engineering and design report for the expansion of the Lake County Jail on Feb. 2. The detention center is located on the lower level of the courthouse in Polson.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Dam restoration planned for Kicking Horse
The Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes Division of Engineering and Water Resources is undertaking an eight-figure, multi-year project to restore Kicking Horse Dam and improve water flow discharge.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Dedicated Polson senior earns leadership award
Polson High School senior Raya Lucas was recently presented the Winslow Nichols Leadership Award for being “committed and community-minded.”
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Mission Council selects new town judge
The St. Ignatius Town Council elected its new town judge, Leslie Martin, at its latest meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 19 HOURS AGO
City Commission discusses protest vote against new Montana law
The Polson City Commission discussed voting against adopting the new Montana zoning laws into the city code, even though the city would still have to comply with state law, during the latest commission meeting on Monday, Feb. 2.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 19 HOURS AGO
Citizens express frustration with City Hall
Polson residents have often expressed frustration when approaching the Polson City Commission, feeling that their concerns or questions are not addressed.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 19 HOURS AGO
Mission Valley Animal Shelter plans for the future
Mission Valley Animal Shelter hopes to build a new home and expand its capacity over the next three years to better serve a community without animal control.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 4 DAYS AGO
Ninepipes Museum launches expansion campaign
The Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana Board of Directors created a foundation board early this year as part of its campaign to expand, and the board has already received a $100,000 donation.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 4 DAYS AGO
FLIC brings a stream of films to Polson
Flathead Lake International Cinemafest kicks off its 14th year of presenting a wide range of domestic and international films on Feb. 13-15 at the Showboat Stadium 6 theater in Polson.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 4 DAYS AGO
Two proposals come forward for Polson Bay Golf Course
MIXT Industries presented a draft proposal to lease the Polson Bay Golf Course from the City of Polson during the Polson Commission’s Monday night meeting on Feb. 2. Simultaneously, the Polson Bay Golf Association has been discussing a management option with City Manager Ed Meece.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 6 DAYS AGO
St. Ignatius honors 2025 Citizens of the Year
A typically almost empty council chamber was filled with a crowd last Tuesday, deservedly to honor St. Ignatius community cornerstones Barb and Gary Plouffe.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 4 DAYS AGO
Academy gives homey feel to classroom experience
Tucked away in the wilderness, with a homey feel, away from the fluorescent lights, noise, and sometimes chaotic environment of public schools, is the home of John and Connie Doty, where 19 students learn at Flathead Valley Academy.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 4 DAYS AGO
