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 town councilor's criticism of fire chief sparks heated debate
Voters returned former mayor and councilman Steve McCollum to the St. Ignatius Town Council, and during his first meeting back, his questions sparked some heated debate with the fire and police chiefs.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Bill containing funding for Mission sewer and police headed to president’s desk
The U.S. Senate passed a $12.2 million funding bill that included federal appropriations for both the town of St. Ignatius and the St. Ignatius Police Department, which was pushed by U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 7 HOURS, 21 MINUTES AGO
Bill containing funding for Mission sewer and police headed to president’s desk
The U.S. Senate passed a bill that contains $12.2 million in funding for several Montana projects, including appropriations for both the town of St. Ignatius and the St. Ignatius Police Department.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 DAY, 7 HOURS AGO
Local Government Review Commissions move forward
In the June 2024 primary election, voters approved local citizen study commissions for St. Ignatius, Ronan and Polson governments, and after one year of public meetings, the commissions are all up to something different.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 DAY, 7 HOURS AGO
Fishing access near Dayton gains septic system approval
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks plans to finish the Conclow Fishing Access near Dayton this spring and moved one step closer with a variance granted by the Lake County Board of Health on Jan. 7.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 DAY, 7 HOURS AGO
St. Joseph hosts mock emergency training
Simulation in Motion Montana hosted a realistic training at St. Joseph Medical Center on Tuesday, Jan. 6. Multiple agencies were on hand to build connections, relationships and preparedness.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 DAY, 7 HOURS AGO
Bill containing funding for Mission sewer and police headed to president’s desk
The U.S. Senate passed a $12.2 million funding bill that included federal appropriations for both the town of St. Ignatius and the St. Ignatius Police Department, which was pushed by U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 6 DAYS, 16 HOURS AGO
Making History: Most women, first tribal member take commission seats
During its first meeting of 2026, the Polson City Commission welcomed new mayor Laura Dever and two new commissioners, Lori Schrader-Young (Ward 2) and Tracie McDonald Ward 3). Returning commissioner is Jake Holley (Ward 1), who was also elected as commission chair, meaning he’ll preside over meetings when the mayor …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
Commissioners give preliminary approval for Pablo subdivision
The 58-lot Pablo Mill Village subdivision proposal received preliminary plat approval from the Lake County Commissioners on Tuesday, Jan. 6, with conditions.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
Mission's deteriorating sewer pipes pose health, safety threat
It was an eventful meeting for the St. Ignatius Town Council on Tuesday, Jan. 6, with a presentation on the town’s dire sewer situation, possible United States Department of Agriculture grant opportunities as well as a discussion of other agenda items (see separate story).
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
Mission council member sparks fiery debate
Voters returned former mayor and councilman Steve McCollum to the St. Ignatius Town Council, and during his first meeting back, his questions sparked some heated debate with the fire and police chiefs.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
CSKT uses Water Compact settlement to benefit Charlo irrigation
The Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes are using the Water Compact settlement to restore the Crow Creek Pumping Plant, which will benefit irrigators in Charlo and conserve water by this October.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 2 DAYS AGO
City crew works to fix broken water main
On Tuesday afternoon, as daylight whittled away, a water main broke on Skyview Lane in Polson, leaving a minimum number of people affected.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 2 DAYS AGO
CSKT uses Water Compact settlement to benefit Charlo irrigation
The Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes are using the Water Compact settlement to restore the Crow Creek Pumping Plant, which will benefit irrigators in Charlo and conserve water by this October.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 1 DAY AGO
