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
City Commission sets tent weights below fire chief recommendation
At many recent Polson City Commission meetings, the new weight requirements for temporary tents, such as those used by craft and farmers market vendors, have been a point of discussion. During the most recent commission meeting on Monday, May 4, the commission rejected the requirement issued by the new fire …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Tribal project restores portion of Jocko River to natural flow
The Jocko River, where it flows alongside the Bison Range boundary west of Ravalli, is getting a major makeover, thanks to a Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes Natural Resources Department project.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Tribal Rec Program focuses funding on waste management
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes' Wildland Recreation Program is using grant funding to install five vault toilets this year to better manage human waste and expects to receive a total of 30 to install at recreation sites across the reservation.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Lake County commissioners vote to reassign jail administration duties
The Lake County Commissioners met Monday, May 4, to vote on a resolution of intent to reassign the administration of the Lake County Detention Center to a separate administrator and to remove administrative control from the sheriff's office.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Tribal Rec Program focuses funding on waste management
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes' Wildland Recreation Program is using grant funding to install five vault toilets this year to better manage human waste and expects to receive a total of 30 to install at recreation sites across the reservation.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 17 HOURS AGO
Polson government review completes tentative report, seeks public comment
The Polson Local Government Review Study Commission finalized its tentative report during its most recent meeting on Tuesday, April 21. The tentative report is what the study commission intends to present to the Polson City Commission before its final review meeting on Thursday, June 4, at 5:30 p.m.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 17 HOURS AGO
Reminiscing: White Elephant goes away, the new comes in
White Elephant Second Hand Store, owned by Brian and Donna Corum, will be demolished as Tractor Supply Co., a large nationwide farm store chain, takes its place. Ronan Mayor Ryan Corum, Brian and Donna’s son, said they have to be out of the building by May 18.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 17 HOURS AGO
Art Slam showcases student stories and personalities
The commons inside Two Eagle River High School were filled with color, voices and bold acts for the 24th annual Art Slam event.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 17 HOURS AGO
Montana FWP brings kids fishing day to Ninepipe Reservoir
On a cool sunny morning, the kids arrived, picking out a rod and the right lure to catch the nicest trout. This was the Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks Kids Fishing Day at Ninepipe Reservoir on Saturday, May 2, the first ever hosted at the kids' fishing pond.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 17 HOURS AGO
Commissioners vote to reassign jail administration duties
The Lake County Commissioners met Monday, May 4, to vote on a resolution of intent to reassign the administration of the Lake County Detention Center to a separate administrator and to remove administrative control from the sheriff's office.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 17 HOURS AGO
Polson City Commission appoints police chief as interim city manager
The Polson City Commission appointed the City of Polson Police Chief George Simpson as interim city manager during a special meeting on Thursday, April 23.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 3 DAYS AGO
Polson Police receives grant to improve evidence preservation
The Polson Police Department was awarded the Montana Department of Justice Sexual Assault Kit Initiative grant to renovate and improve its evidence storage facilities with the goal of preserving the integrity of sexual assault DNA evidence.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 4 DAYS AGO
City Commission appoints Simpson as interim city manager, plans for future hiring
The Polson City Commission appointed the City of Polson Police Chief George Simpson as interim city manager during a special meeting on Thursday, April 23.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 4 DAYS AGO
City Commission appoints fire code appeals board, approves grant match
Back on the agenda for this week’s Polson City Commission meeting was appointing members to the vacant Fire Code Appeals Board.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 4 DAYS AGO