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
Polson commissioners hear plan for reducing E. coli in Flathead Lake
Representatives from the Flathead Lakers and the Polson Bay Golf Course presented a plan to the Polson City Commission last Wednesday to reduce stormwater runoff, which had caused increased levels of E. coli in Flathead Lake near Boettcher Park.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 2 DAYS, 14 HOURS AGO
Arlee school board votes against K-8 building
Last Wednesday, the Arlee Joint School District School Board voted against consolidating the junior high students into the newly built elementary to create a K-8 building.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 14 HOURS AGO
City Commission finalizes Salt Cafe grant, hears from market vendors
The Polson City Commission council chambers were full of support Monday night for Andrew Perkins, owner of Salt Cafe, who has been awaiting funding from the Tax Increment Finance District grant he received nearly three years ago.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 14 HOURS AGO
A VOICE celebrates 20 years of consistency
A unique art program, A VOICE, celebrates 20 years as a nonprofit serving youth on the Flathead Indian Reservation.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 14 HOURS AGO
Mission grants preliminary approval for McCready subdivision
The St. Ignatius Town Council granted preliminary approval for phases one and two of the McCready subdivision off Airport Road, with two amendments, during its most recent meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 14 HOURS AGO
Foundation established for Polson Police
A non-profit called the Polson Police Foundation was launched at the end of 2025 to support the department by contributing to training, officer wellness, critical equipment and community initiatives.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 14 HOURS AGO
Community pushes back on MIXT golf proposal
The City of Polson hosted two full-capacity meetings on Tuesday, Feb. 17, to discuss the draft proposal from MIXT Industries to lease the Polson Bay Golf Course. Both received pushback and criticism from the community.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 4 DAYS AGO
County drops first load of trash into expanded landfill
Lake County hosted a ribbon-cutting last week to commemorate the first load of trash being dumped into the expanded Lake County Landfill.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 4 DAYS AGO
Polson commissioners hear plan for reducing E. coli in Flathead
Representatives from the Flathead Lakers and the Polson Bay Golf Course presented a plan to the Polson City Commission last Wednesday to reduce stormwater runoff, which had caused increased levels of E. coli in Flathead Lake near Boettcher Park.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 4 DAYS AGO
Homeschooler claims another county spelling bee win
Green or red signs with correct or incorrect flew up as contestants spelled their way through the Lake County Spelling Bee, last Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the Charlo High School Gym.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 4 DAYS AGO
Lake County commissioners approve spending for architectural report 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.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 2 DAYS AGO
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.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 3 DAYS 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 2 WEEKS, 4 DAYS 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 2 WEEKS, 4 DAYS AGO
