Editor
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 in the rolling hills of southeast Missouri. She's lived in Montana since 2022 and honed her reporting craft through the UM J-School newspaper and internships at the RMEF Bugle Magazine and the Missoulian. At the Leader, she covers government, business, education, agriculture and community news. Contact Emily Messer at [email protected] or 406.883.4343
ARTICLES BY EMILY MESSER
Polson Lube is excited to join Ronan with second location
Polson Lube is in the process of constructing a new location off Round Butte Road, next to the Ronan VFW, and father-and-son owners, Dennis and Nick Baughman, are excited to join the community this August.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Community businesses come together to create new play area at St. Ignatius Middle School
Local businesses have come together to help make St. Ignatius School District's dream of a new open-space play area a reality.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
St. Ignatius Chamber of Commerce hosts another packed and successful Good Old Days
It was a packed weekend in St. Ignatius, with the 44th annual Good Old Days filling the town with events, fun, family and tradition.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
‘Everywhere’ is Bear County': Tribal game warden chief advises removing attractants to keep the bears away
When a good smell of pizza wafts over their snout, a bear will follow it off the bear highway, otherwise known as a creek with cover, and that’s often when they get into trouble.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 23 HOURS AGO
Red, white and blue light up Polson’s sky on Fourth of July Eve
Polson Chamber of Commerce kicked off the Fourth of July weekend celebration of the “Big 250” with lights in the sky on July 3, viewed from the hot spot location on the riverside and from a newfound location.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 23 HOURS AGO
‘Everywhere’ is Bear County': Tribal game warden chief advises removing attractants to keep the bears away
When a good smell of pizza wafts over their snout, a bear will follow it off the bear highway, otherwise known as a creek with cover, and that’s often when they get into trouble.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 23 HOURS AGO
Looking Forward: A Note from Your New Editor
I would like to take this opportunity to officially introduce myself. My name is Emily Messer, and I am honored to be taking on the role of editor at the Lake County Leader.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 23 HOURS AGO
County says farewell to longtime retiring deputy attorney and public defender
“We’re going to miss you” was the clear theme at Ben Anciaux’s retirement party on Thursday, July 2, at the Lake County Courthouse, as the county celebrated his 45 years of public service.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 23 HOURS AGO
Charlo celebrates America’s 250th birthday with a show out parade
Last weekend, the community of Charlo came together for their annual Fourth of July parade, and this year was full of red, white and blue with candy flying in the air as the parade headed down the packed streets of Charlo.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 23 HOURS AGO
100% Nerd: buy, sell, trade shop opens in Ronan
Established in Ronan is a new buy, sell, trade store, offering video games, collectibles and offering a new hangout spot.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 4 DAYS AGO
Juvenile cited for ‘whipping brodies’ after rodeo
Police Police Department responded to an incident where a juvenile was “whipping brodies,” otherwise known as donuts, in the parking lot at the Mission Mountain Rodeo on Saturday evening.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 4 DAYS AGO
Polson bull rider places again at College National Finals Rodeo
Gavin Knutson held onto the rope for two successful bull rides, placing sixth with a score of 143 at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo., last month. This was his second win at the CNFR before he begins competing in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association events.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 4 DAYS AGO
CSKT Bison Range flourishes with uptick in calves, visitors
On the rolling hills of the open prairie, grazing bison and their little calves, otherwise known as “red dogs,” roam, wallow and migrate across the more than 18,000-acre range.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 4 DAYS AGO
A lapse in time: Fort Connah hosts Rendezvous
Attendees climbed into the horse-drawn wagon, plopped onto the bales of hay, and rode down the hill to the recreated homesite of Angus P. McDonald and the original trading post, which still stands as the oldest building in Montana.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 5 DAYS AGO