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
'Just a cowboy': After accident, Polson rancher navigates the unknown
Long-time rancher and Mission Valley resident Jesse Johnston suffered an extensive injury during his annual cattle branding last month and is now navigating the unknown – a lengthy healing process with a massive medical bill possibly on the way.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Personal goodbyes: Charlo celebrates class of 2026
The Charlo class of 2026 walked across the stage on Sunday, May 31, and proudly held up their diplomas for the crowd to see.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
CKST-Montana Water Compact reaches approval in Montana Water Court
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes gained final approval of the CSKT-Montana Water Compact through the Montana Water Court last month, meaning the court formally resolved objections and is integrating about 300 tribal water rights into Montana’s statewide water rights system. That move protects those rights alongside state-issued rights.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Non-stop rainfall causes flooding in the Mission Valley
All the reservoirs are either “close to restriction or full,” according to Flathead Indian Irrigation Project manager Nick Belcourt, who has been coordinating the efforts to transfer water into the natural drainages to help with flooding mitigation as continuous rainfall floods the Mission Valley.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 3 HOURS, 8 MINUTES AGO
Polson Commission votes to change meeting time, approves new workers comp carrier
After a suggested joke about changing the meeting time, during its meeting May 18 the Polson City Commission unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance changing the meeting time from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. to better accommodate staff and the public.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 10 HOURS AGO
Mission Town Council hires temporary clerk, donates back to the community
The St. Ignatius town clerk, Amberly Walker, submitted her resignation and will serve her last day on Thursday, May 28, leaving the town to find a quick solution.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 10 HOURS AGO
Commission decides outside legal counsel is next move for golf course proposals
The open greens on “invaluable” city land situated above Flathead Lake could be subject to a change in oversight after the Polson City Commission discussed its interest in leasing it during a workshop on Wednesday, May 20.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 10 HOURS AGO
Lake County ranching family hopes this is their last cleanup effort for tumbleweeds
The Speckert family, ranchers who approached the Polson City Commission on April 6 about the havoc-causing tumble mustard weeds coming from a nearby property, hope this is the last massive pile they have to burn so they can get back to ranching.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 DAYS, 10 HOURS AGO
Lake County ranching family hopes this is their last cleanup effort for tumbleweeds
The Speckert family, ranchers who approached the Polson City Commission on April 6 about the havoc-causing tumble mustard weeds coming from a nearby property, hope this is the last massive pile they have to burn so they can get back to ranching.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 4 DAYS AGO
Cracks & Dips: What’s next for 13th Avenue's ‘construction failure’?
While Lake County and the City of Polson are at odds over which entity is responsible for fixing the paving on 13th Ave. E., officials from both governments agree it needs to be fixed.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 5 DAYS AGO
Ranchers hope this is the last cleanup effort for tumbleweeds
The Speckert family, ranchers who approached the Polson City Commission on April 6 about the havoc-causing tumble mustard weeds coming from a nearby property, hope this is the last massive pile they have to burn so they can get back to ranching.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 5 DAYS AGO
The ducks arrive: Young Polson resident changes city ordinance
Little yellow peeping Puddles, Biscuit, Sunny, Waddles and Donald arrived at their permanent home recently.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 5 DAYS AGO
Polson city manager asks again for agreement with county
On his last official week of work, Polson City Manager Ed Meece brought his honesty and frustration to the Lake County Commissioners over the lack of a contract for the new dispatch software, citing that it has been more than six months and that he has asked “several times.”
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 5 DAYS AGO
City Commission sets lower weight limits for market tents
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 2 WEEKS, 5 DAYS AGO
