Dixon celebrates 20 years of Melon Days

DIXON — Neither men nor melons were hard to know (as Benjamin Franklin once insisted) at Dixon’s 20th Annual Melon Days — an event filled with community togetherness and plenty of local fare.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

New location, same community service

ST. IGNATIUS — With a spiffy, and spacious, new location, the Mission Valley Food Pantry is more prepared than ever to continue providing an essential community service.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Lake County Bucket List

Friday morning I sat in the sunny kitchen of my landlord, Tana Seeley, and signed over my apartment lease to my roommate. We were looking over some documents when I heard dogs barking and collars jingling outside.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Man faces three counts of felony sex crimes

POLSON — A Polson man already registered as a sex offender was back in district court Wednesday morning, this time to answer to three counts of felony sex crimes against minors.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Mission adopts mandatory drug-testing for student athletes

School implements long-discussed measure for fall sports

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Power rates increase valley-wide

PABLO — All good things must come to an end, including the flat rate contract between Mission Valley Power and Bonneville Power Administration that has helped keep Lake County’s power rates among the lowest in the state for the last 10 years.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Meth maker gets four years

POLSON — A repeat offender will serve four years in prison for his latest crime, possessing the chemicals and materials needed to make meth.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Saving Salish, one speaker at a time

ST. IGNATIUS — Rose Bear Don’t Walk, a rising senior at St. Ignatius and recent FCCLA (Family Career and Community Leaders of America) Champion, is standing by a stream in Ronan City Park, clutching two medals in her left hand and examining a plaque in her right hand.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Ronan woman accused of stealing from CSKT

MISSOULA — A Ronan woman was arraigned in a federal court session in Missoula, July 21, on an indictment of theft from a Tribal organization.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Lightning starts three fires on reservation

FLATHEAD RESERVATION — Unusually thick underbrush, high temperatures, lightning storms — once again Montana is in prime fire condition.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Big Arm Water Wars build community, restore school

BIG ARM — The Polson team was in over their heads.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Let the good old times roll

ST. IGNATIUS — Everywhere you looked there was another opportunity for fun.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Irvine gets 10 years for drug distribution

POLSON — Last week, Leonard James Irvine, the Ronan man accused of providing drugs, alcohol and cigarettes to teenage girls, pleaded guilty to criminal distribution of dangerous drugs and pursuant to a plea agreement will be sentenced to 25 years in the department of corrections, with 15 years suspended.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Polson nurse pleads guilty to drug theft

POLSON — A Polson nurse accused of stealing a painkiller patch off a disabled patient pleaded guilty to the crime, felony attempt, in district court last week.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Two accidents in three days near Melita Island Rd.

BIG ARM — The curve in U.S. Hwy. 93 near Melita Island Rd. proved treacherous for two sets of drivers involved in separate accidents at that location within three days of each other.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Bullshooting with Bullshot and Rosemary

POLSON — These days Polson is teeming with tourists, but no two newcomers stand out more than British spy Bullshot Crummond and his faithful friend, Rosemary Fenton. Last Sunday, the dapper duo took time of their busy schedules to sit down, introduce themselves and answer some questions.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Meth lab found in man's car

PABLO — A man accused of operating a clandestine lab and possessing the precursors to dangerous drugs was arrested in Pablo, but the arrest could have happened anywhere — according to court documents, police discovered all the chemicals and equipment needed to make meth in the man’s car.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Repeat offender busted for meth lab

PABLO — Early last week, a man in and out of prison since 1996 made good on a jailhouse promise to help police find local meth labs — only this lab was, allegedly, his own.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Sex offender turns himself in

POLSON — In district court last week, a Pablo man pleaded guilty to sex crimes against a minor — crimes that police were alerted to when the defendant walked into a police station and declared himself a “sexual predator.”

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Home of: Jamison Challeen

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

A note from the news room

"Life is getting through it. If you have a few laughs along the way, you're way ahead of the game," Wally, played by Neal Lewing, tells his wife Louise, played by Karen Lewing in "Wally's Cafe" now playing at the John Dowdall Theater.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Dayton Presbyterian Church celebrates centennial

Dayton Presbyterian Church’s centennial celebration, held last Saturday on the church’s front lawn, did little to emphasize the passing of 100 years.

HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Dayton Presbyterian Church celebrates centennial

Dayton Presbyterian Church’s centennial celebration, held last Saturday on the church’s front lawn, did little to emphasize the passing of 100 years.

WHITEFISH PILOT | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Dayton Presbyterian Church celebrates centennial

Dayton Presbyterian Church’s centennial celebration, held last Saturday on the church’s front lawn, did little to emphasize the passing of 100 years.

BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Old-Horn guilty: Five day trial, 90 minute decision

POLSON — In the end Clifford Old-Horn's fate hung on his own words.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Baker pleads guilty to vehicular homicide

POLSON — In District Court Wednesday morning, Jana Marie Baker pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide while under the influence for the 2008 death of Shari Ann Tiger, a passenger who was killed when Baker caused a head-on collision.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Rockin' Out: campers conquer fears, have fun

POLSON — Last Saturday, campers at the Port Polson Players’ performing arts camp proved that they could, indeed, handle the truth in two successful, and enthusiastic performances of the Lewing-original show, “Truth is Marching On.”

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Old-Horn found guilty

POLSON — After about 90 minutes of deliberation, a district court jury found 24-year-old Clifford Old-Horn guilty of felony deliberate homicide.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Order of protection filed by city manager dismissed

POLSON — Last Wednesday afternoon, Justice of the Peace Chuck Wall decided not to renew a restraining order filed by city manager Todd Crossett against local real estate agent Rory Horning. When issuing his verdict, Wall said that based on the evidence presented, he could not find that Crossett was …

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

A Note from the Newsroom

“Under certain circumstances, who among us couldn’t be a killer?” Agent Emily Prentiss asks a colleague in a season three episode of the CBS television series, “Criminal Minds.”

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Polson grads take flight

POLSON — Friends and family gathered in the Linderman gym Saturday afternoon to watch the Polson High School class of 2011 commence a new life chapter.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Defendant denied public defender

POLSON — Money seemed to be the root of several problems for a man who appeared in district court last week for sentencing on his felony conviction of issuing a bad check.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Ronan schools plan ahead

RONAN — The Ronan board of educators talked long-term during budget discussions at their regular board meeting last Tuesday.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Suspects dismissed in homicide investigation

POLSON — State prosecutors have dismissed criminal charges against two men accused of killing an elderly St. Ignatius man and incinerating his remains, but the alleged murder suspects aren’t off the hook quite yet.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Polson trustees pass elementary budget

POLSON — Monday’s Polson board of educator’s meeting was one replete with surprising alliances and long-awaited conclusions.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Yellow Bay fest a bloomin' success

YELLOW BAY — Community members gathered at the Yellow Bay Clubhouse Saturday to enjoy the town’s annual cherry blossom festival.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

SLAM! Emotions pour onto stage, canvas at annual Two Eagle River Art Slam

PABLO — Emo. Goth. Punk. The words used to categorize teenage experiences into digestible stereotypes are numerous.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Annual Women 4 Wellness fair: a healthy dose of fun

PABLO — Members of the SKC Prevention Task Force once again joined forces with local vendors and volunteers to present the third annual Women 4 Wellness Health Fair: an event that entertains, educates and even saves lives.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Minor injury in Hwy. 93 rollover

ST. IGNATIUS — A California man sustained minor injuries Saturday afternoon from a one-vehicle accident that law enforcement officials say could have been worse.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Alleged painkiller thief pleads innocent

POLSON — A 24-year-old Polson woman pleaded innocent in District Court April 20 for allegedly trying to steal a painkiller patch off a hospital patient.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Irvine remains detained

POLSON — The man who allegedly provided drugs and alcohol to high school girls asked for his bond to be reduced in District Court last Wednesday.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Polson stabbing trial begins

POLSON — The trial of Aaron Jess Spang, the 18-year-old Polson man accused of stabbing to death his mother’s boyfriend, began Monday in District Court.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

School districts look at cuts

POLSON — News of pink slips brought about 90 concerned teachers and parents to the Polson School board meeting Monday night in the Linderman library.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Mission teachers voice concerns

ST. IGNATIUS — All totaled, the St. Ignatius teaching staff has a combined 500 years experience educating students, according to Tim Marchant, an English teacher at Mission High School. In those five centuries, they’ve seen changes to administration, tweaks to curriculum — and accepted them as part of their job.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO

Marlee Berry: Young artist paints for a good cause

POLSON — Marlee Berry is a young woman with a lot going for her. Currently a senior at Polson High School, Berry is talented at art and athletics, interested in travel and charitable work and has future plans that include the U.S. Army National Guard and college.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO

Polson library director named Montana Librarian of the Year

POLSON — Marilyn Trosper has never seen a tennis shoe turn into a glass slipper or watched a pumpkin morph into a carriage, but like a fairy-tale heroine, she’s experienced transformative moments.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO

Not guilty verdict concludes emotional court trial

POLSON — Late Friday afternoon, a district court jury returned a not guilty verdict for 24-year-old William Maus, who was on trial for negligent vehicular homicide while under the influence.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO

Update: Maus found not guilty of negligent homicide while under the influence

UPDATE: After close to five hours of deliberations, a jury found William Maus not guilty of negligent vehicular homicide while under the influence. As to the lesser included charge, negligent homicide, the jury was unable to reach a verdict.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO

Trial begins for 2009 fatal involving young Dixon man

POLSON — The trial of a Clinton man facing felony vehicular homicide charges commenced in District Court Monday.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO

Ronan man accused of giving drugs to teenage girls

POLSON — A Ronan man pleaded innocent in District Court Wednesday to three counts of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs on or near school property.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO

Human rights complaint against Polson City dismissed

POLSON – A Hearing Officer for the Human Rights Bureau dismissed a discrimination case against the city of Polson on Wednesday.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO

Spellbound: Lake County spellers duke it out for trip to state

RONAN — Fifty of the region’s most talented spellers showed off their skills at Lake County’s 25th annual spelling bee held Thursday night. The competitors earned spots on the Ronan Events Center stage by distinguishing themselves as the best spellers in grades five through eight in their public, private, or …

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO

Efforts continue to keep lake clean

POLSON — Vicious invaders are attacking Flathead Lake, but few of us will ever notice them, let alone recognize their danger. These invaders, known as aquatic invasive species (AIS), are animals, plants and fish that thrive in environments free of predators. Although they’re small, they can alter habitats and reduce …

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO

Preventative health cuts: Montana's Tobacco Use Prevention Program under the knife

LAKE COUNTY — At the end of January, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services voted to eliminate funding to the Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program (MTUPP). This cut is one piece of House Bill 2, an appropriations bill that is currently working its way through the House …

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Spring flooding risk high in Lake County

RONAN — The Lake County Planning Department hosted an informational meeting about potential spring flooding in Lake County on Thursday at the Ronan Community Center.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Mission General Store robbed

ST. IGNATIUS — An unknown person allegedly broke into the Mission General Store and stole around $350 in cash Wednesday morning.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Ronan man arraigned on felony sex crimes

POLSON — Robert Deneault appeared via closed circuit television in Judge Wall’s justice court Friday to be arraigned on charges of sexual intercourse without consent and sexual assault, both felonies. Deneault, 41, pleaded not guilty to the charges, each of which carries a maximum penalty of $50,000 fine, 100 years …

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Hendrickson supporters unite while BOE, superintendent continue to take heat

POLSON — Last Wednesday morning, a group of approximately 30 Polson High School students gathered outside their school to protest the non-renewal of assistant principal Shawn Hendrickson. One sign read “education not politics,” and another said “Hendrickson fits in at PHS,” but the majority of the signs simply stated “we …

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Committee unites to resolve water dispute

POLSON — Representatives for the state of Montana and for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes came together at the KwaTaqNuk Resort Wednesday to discuss their progress creating a document that will define water rights on the Flathead Reservation.

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO