Editor
KRISTI NIEMEYER
[email protected]
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 [email protected] or 406-883-4343.
ARTICLES BY KRISTI NIEMEYER
New phase underway for Public Law 280 in Lake County
The long saga of Public Law 280, a law enforcement agreement between the State of Montana, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and Lake County, entered a new phase April 21 when all three entities signed an agreement on how to spend a $6 million legislative appropriation.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
'A story of greed and vengeance': Lawrence sentenced to 50 years for Ed Loder's murder
James Lawrence, 71, was sentenced to 50 years in prison last Friday for shooting Ed Loder in 2024 near the victim’s home on Timberlane Road in Ronan.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 7 HOURS, 15 MINUTES AGO
'A story of story of greed and vengeance': Lawrence sentenced to 50 years for Ed Loder's murder
James Lawrence, 71, was sentenced to 50 years in prison last Friday for shooting Ed Loder in 2024 near the victim’s home on Timberlane Road in Ronan.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 DAY, 7 HOURS AGO
Book by Cherry Valley students named semi-finalist in national contest
Students in Mrs. Katelyn Graham-Karels’ second-grade class at Cherry Valley Elementary ended the school year on a particularly high note. They recently received national recognition for their class book, “Montana Wildlife,” which was selected as a semi-finalist in the Studentreasures National Book Challenge.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 DAY, 7 HOURS AGO
New phase underway for Public Law 280
The long saga of Public Law 280, a law enforcement agreement between the State of Montana, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and Lake County, entered a new phase April 21 when all three entities signed an agreement on how to spend a $6 million legislative appropriation.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 DAY, 7 HOURS AGO
Master Gardeners tackle Main Street corners in Polson
A gang from Master Gardeners of the Mission Valley gathered at the bump-outs on the corner of Main Street and Third Avenue in Polson recently to carefully tuck young native plants into the soil.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 7 HOURS AGO
SKC grads told, "Your voice carries medicine"
During a commencement that began with a Salish prayer from NKusm Language School students and concluded with a Kootenai blessing, more than 200 graduates accepted certificates, associate’s and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Salish Kootenai College Saturday.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
Finley Warden comes out on top in heated Polson primary
When the dust settled early last Wednesday morning, Finley Warden had soundly trounced Republican incumbent Linda Reksten in the primary race for House District 13. The 20-year-old Warden, a political newcomer, outpaced the three-term incumbent with 65% of the vote.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
Master Gardeners tackle Main Street corners
A gang from Master Gardeners of the Mission Valley gathered at the bump-outs on the corner of Main Street and Third Avenue in Polson recently to carefully tuck young native plants into the soil.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
One incumbent falls, another survives primary
The most closely watched race in Lake County (or perhaps just in Polson) gave political upstart Finley Warden a Republican primary win over three-term incumbent Linda Reksten in House District 13.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 3 DAYS AGO
Commissioner Steve Stanley to step down in October
Lake County Commissioner Steve Stanley submitted his letter of resignation to his peers Monday, effective Oct. 2.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 1 DAY 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 2 WEEKS, 2 DAYS AGO
Polls open Tuesday for Election Day
At the new Lake County Election Office, located in the Dave Stipe Annex, 500 First St. E. in Polson, business has been brisk heading up to Tuesday’s primary election.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 3 WEEKS, 1 DAY AGO
Flathead Lake already within a foot of full pool
Looking for a breathtaking view? Head down the stone steps to the overlook above Séliš Ksanka Ql̓ispé Dam southwest of Polson. But be prepared for a breath-stealing walk back up.
BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 3 WEEKS, 2 DAYS AGO