Editor

Kristi Niemeyer is editor of the Lake County Leader. She learned her newspaper licks at the Mission Valley News and honed them at the helm of the Ronan Pioneer and, eventually, as co-editor of the Leader until 1993. She later launched and published Lively Times, a statewide arts and entertainment monthly (she still publishes the digital version), and produced and edited State of the Arts for the Montana Arts Council and Heart to Heart for St. Luke Community Healthcare. Reach her at editor@leaderadvertiser.com or 406-883-4343.

ARTICLES BY KRISTI NIEMEYER

Tribes break ground on new 400 Horses Casino

Last Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new 400 Horses Casino on the outskirts of Polson opened to the steady pulse of two drums, Yamncut and Chief Cliff, as Gene Sorrell – attired in an eagle-feather headdress – blessed the drummers and the celebration.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO

Ballots mailed Friday for school and special district elections

Ballots will be mailed tomorrow, April 18, for school board and special purpose districts, and must be returned via mail or in person to the Lake County Election Administrator by Tuesday, May 6.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO

Montana Legislature hits pause on Public Law 280

The future of Public Law 280, the law enforcement agreement between the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and state and county governments, seems to be on pause – at least at the legislative level.

DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 13 HOURS AGO

Seventeen retailers cited for underage alcohol sales

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office reported that 17 citations were issued to local alcohol retailers during the weekend of March 21-22 for selling alcohol to underage people.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 13 HOURS AGO

Commission seeks resort designation for Polson

The City Commission inched toward putting a resort tax referendum before voters Monday night by seeking Department of Commerce designation for Polson as a resort community.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 13 HOURS AGO

Legislature hits pause on Public Law 280

The future of Public Law 280, the law enforcement agreement between the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and state and county governments, seems to be on pause – at least at the legislative level.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 13 HOURS AGO

Lake County launches three road reconstruction projects

Three Lake County roads will be rebuilt this summer, with funding awarded in 2022 from the American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity program.

DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 4 DAYS AGO

Lake County commissioner slams Polson Police chief's book

What’s typically a cordial monthly meeting between city and county government officials collapsed last Tuesday afternoon, after Lake County Commissioner Gale Decker opened the session which he introduced as “a hearing” – by lambasting a book recently published by Polson Police Chief George Simpson.

DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 3 WEEKS, 3 DAYS AGO

County, City at odds over police chief's book

What’s typically a cordial monthly meeting between city and county government officials collapsed last Tuesday afternoon, March 11, after Lake County Commissioner Gale Decker opened the session – which he introduced as “a hearing” – by lambasting a book recently published by Polson Police Chief George Simpson.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 3 WEEKS, 5 DAYS AGO

Legislators hear from constituents at Ronan forum

The six members of Lake County’s legislative delegation heard from constituents last Wednesday during a forum at the Ronan Community Center.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 3 WEEKS, 5 DAYS AGO

Polson commission revisits resort tax

Susan Nicosia, who retired last June after serving as Columbia Falls city manager for 13 years, told the Polson City Commission earlier this month that a 3% resort tax has been a boon to her community.

DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 3 WEEKS, 6 DAYS AGO

County launches three road reconstruction projects

Three Lake County roads will be rebuilt this summer, with funding awarded in 2022 from the American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 4 WEEKS AGO

Water Warrior: Constanza von der Pahlen honored for stewardship

You could call Constanza von der Pahlen a water warrior for her tireless efforts to improve and conserve western Montana’s priceless waterways. But the Watershed and Wetland Stewardship Award she’ll receive Thursday also makes the point.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 MONTH AGO

Polson commission revisits resort tax

Susan Nicosia, who retired last June after serving as Columbia Falls city manager for 13 years, told the Polson City Commission Monday that a 3% resort tax has been a boon to her community.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 MONTH AGO

Coup stick presented to Polson Police chief

The Polson City Commission meeting on March 3 started a little differently than usual as Ken Camel stepped to the lectern. Camel came bearing the gift of a coup stick – also known as a greeting stick – for Polson Police Chief George Simpson.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 1 WEEK AGO