A Christmas story: One story of idyllic wonder and genuine love during the holiday season

POLSON – Warm golden light cloaked everyone in attendance. Girls in fancy dresses and boys in button-up shirts sat in the laps of their cross-legged mothers while others sat on the knees of their parents, grandparents, great grandparents and family friends in chairs, stools and lining the rich fireplace hearth.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Celebration of Light draws 242 nativities

POLSON – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints was at the center of a two-day Christmas celebration extravaganza Dec. 6 and 7 that offered participants the chance to drink in the awe of the Christian Christmas celebration.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Felons here skip lots of jail time

LAKE COUNTY – The judicial process allows most Lake County felons the opportunity to skip a lot of jail time and return to the streets much sooner than their sentence prescribed.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Polson Art Walk showcases local talent

POLSON – About a dozen artists from all over the area flocked to Main Street Friday night to showcase their work at the annual Polson Art Walk and Parade of Lights being held simultaneously.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Coat giveaway needs donations

POLSON – For 14 years, employees at America’s Best Value Port Polson Inn closed one of their rooms and opened their doors to charity.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Accused attacker misses arraignment

ST. IGNATIUS – Police believe Gene Adams beat his pregnant girlfriend for the fourth time Oct. 5, sending her to St. Luke Community Hospital.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Leader office Toys for Tots drop off spot

POLSON – The Lake County Leader office will be a drop off spot for year’s Toys for Tots campaign.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Pablo woman survives attempted shooting

PABLO – A Pablo woman is alive after her boyfriend tried to shoot her, Lake County law enforcement officials believe.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Cops, businesses cracking down on underage drinkers

LAKE COUNTY – Lake County businesses are serious about stopping sales to underage drinkers.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Charlo man accused of shooting wife

CHARLO – Lake County Sheriff’s officials believe Raelynn M. Charlo died because her husband Adrian M. McElderry shot her in the head.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Lozeau's bail set at $300,000

POLSON – District Court Judge James A. Manley set bail at $300,000 for accused murderer Harry Paul Lozeau during a Nov. 5 omnibus hearing.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Ronan hires staff by the dozen

RONAN – The Ronan School District Board of Directors hired seven extra-curricular leaders and five school staff members at its regular monthly meeting Nov. 10.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Woman arrested for allegedly trying to run down girl

LAKE COUNTY – Jamie Seely denied she nearly ran down a feuding neighbor’s daughter when she saw them in a local park.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Charlo woman shot to death

CHARLO – A 29-year-old Charlo woman is dead and her husband is in custody after a shooting early Tuesday on First Street West in Charlo.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Wrong-way driver loses father-of-the-year consideration

POLSON – Abdel Scott Russell might not win father of the year after driving while drunk the wrong way on Highway 93 with two unrestrained toddlers jumping around on the front seat. Thank goodness he nearly caused a head-on collision with a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy traveling the right way …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Motorcyclist leads cops on high-speed chase

POLSON–Brandon Jeppeson got a bright idea while riding his motorcycle along Highway 93 near Polson Sept. 29. He’d show that highway patrol trooper how fast he could go.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Self admitted thief trys to rip off justice system

WOODS BAY – Paul Matteucci told authorities that he stole money from his employer so he could find a place to live. But he probably wasn’t thinking that place would ultimately turn out to be jail.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Hawk had history of DUI before shooting of toddler

ST. IGNATIUS – As Galen L. Hawk sat across from Lake County Sheriff’s Detectives Oct. 22, denying he knew how 3-year-old Lonato Moran-Allen was shot and killed, he might have been worried about his own skin. According to Lake County court records, Hawk’s record showed 3 prior driving under the …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Group starts healthy tradition in Polson

Members of the Montana Co-op enjoy a bite of locally-grown apples while enjoying its first-ever participation in Food Day and National Farm to School Month.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Polson man sentenced for global child porn ring

POLSON ­– What ended in major global child pornography conviction a week ago began five years ago in Polson with the help of city police.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Suspect waits for fifth trial date in January

ST. IGNATIUS – Athena Scharnhorst was slumped over behind the wheel of a passenger car in the middle of an intersection when a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy found her, according to Lake County court records.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Unexpected visitor accused of burglary

POLSON – Kasey Allen Pier was probably not thinking about the consequences when he helped himself through the front door of a couple’s house, locked it and proceeded to beat up a man, then left.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

DUI leads to potential loss of children

LAKE COUNTY – Michaelanne Goen will not lose contact with her two young girls, even though she plead guilty to felony child endangerment in July.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Court records tell tale of accident and desperation in death of 3-year-old boy

RONAN – Emergency dispatchers received a 911 call at about 8:22 p.m. Oct. 22. A three-year-old boy lay dying in a car that was speeding toward St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Attention all money lovers; a fake may foil you

POLSON – Anyone who likes money needs to watch out for counterfeit $20 bills circulating in Polson, said Polson Police Detective Michelle Scott.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Bail set at $100,000 in shooting death of 3-year-old

LAKE COUNTY – A judge set Galen Hawk's bond today at $100,000 in a shooting death of a 3-year-old boy that occurred Oct. 22. Hawk, 26 of St. Ignatius, is charged with felony negligent homicide.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Wanted man: Lerhrke arrested in Washington

POLSON – Thanks to publicity and attentive citizens, suspected check thief Asa Alan Lerhrke sits in prison.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Females particularly vulnerable to cyberbullies

LAKE COUNTY – Cyberbullies hurt people everywhere. In Elmo, Big Arm, Polson, Pablo, Ronan, St. Ignatius, Charlo and Arlee, bullies open their mouths and hurl hatred, squint their eyes and throw dirty looks at their next victim.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Business teeming in Lake County

LAKE COUNTY – The holiday season will be just a little nicer in Lake County this year thanks to the teeming business environment.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Failed fumbler fears fleeing

ROLLINS – It appears alleged burglar Cole J. Johnson was more afraid of the neighbor holding a loaded gun on him than he was of the four cops who showed up to arrest him.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Volunteers spend day teaching kids fire safety

POLSON – Volunteer firefighters spent their mornings this week showing elementary school kids how to get safe in a house fire.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Great pumpkins and giant bear spray fill Saturday event

POLSON – Emmet May wandered around the Murdock’s parking lot with a twinkle in his eye. This year, May, of Polson, had multiple pumpkins on display as well as a few giant tomatoes he grew in his garden.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

SKC awarded 386,882 for healthcare

LAKE COUNTY – The U.S. Department of Labor awarded Salish Kootnai College $386,882 Sept. 29 to prepare students for high-paying healthcare jobs across the state.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Forensic findings on frozen burger barn burglary might melt Michel

POLSON – Randall Joe Michel Jr. Jr. crept into a Polson man’s home while he was sleeping and stole three rifles, a large quantity of ammo, computer equipment, cash, pills, liquor, and a variety of backpacks, according to Lake County court records.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Bicycling turning wheels of business in Montana

LAKE COUNTY – The wheels of joy are spinning for bicycle lovers in Montana. Studies show that more people in Montana are using bikes for transportation and pleasure. And that is good news for local businesses and tourism agencies, said Carol Beck-Edgar of the Flathead Convention and Visitor Bureau in …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Twoteeth talks to cops with middle finger before chase

POLSON – Lloyd Daryle Twoteeth sent a message to an MSP trooper when he “extended his arm out the window and stuck his middle finger up” June 26, according to a Lake County Prosecuting Attorney’s office report.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

A scholarship with merit

POLSON – Connor Murphy, 17 is one of the lucky ones.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Commissioners need $17M levy for mandatory court house expansion

POLSON – Faced with crowded employees, and inmates, Lake County Commissioners will ask taxpayers for a $17 million levy to expand the courthouse-jail complex and build a second office complex, commissioner Bill Barron said.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Cruz lost job, temper and freedom

RONAN – Roger Cruz, formerly of Ronan, didn’t take his termination notice very well earlier in the year.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Aquarius Farms focused on Ag innovation

PABLO – At the end of a long road and back beyond the grasp of anyone’s attention, Tom West, his family and friends are slowly creating a 30-acre produce farm focused on providing area communities plenty of fresh food without taxing the soil.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Three severely injured in early morning roll over

POLSON – Two men and an underage girl were seriously injured when the stolen Jeep in which they rolled flipped onto its hood and slid several yards down the northbound side of Highway 93, said Montana Highway Patrol Sgt. Randy Owens.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Drivers question if shooter is taking out windows on Hwy 93

POLSON – Suspicious circumstances brought two drivers in the Rocky Point Road area together after they suffered car window damage within an hour of each other Sept. 6.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Woman loses lunch, not life

POLSON – A woman more interested in eating lunch than driving lost her meal and hercar after she ran off the road and over-corrected twice Sept. 4.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Residents can fight crime through prevention

LAKE COUNTY — The best thing residents can do to fight crime is prevent themselves from being victimized, according to area law enforcement officials.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Charlo man lets little lie snowball into jail sentence

CHARLO – Brian Wollman took Lake County emergency responders on a wild ride in January that earned him a date in court Sept. 3 to learn how he would pay for his naughty deeds.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Hobbs not sentenced: Asks to fire attorney, withdraw plea

POLSON – Dennis J. Hobbs stood in court Aug. 28 struggling to get words from his mouth, but ultimately told the court he did not rape his ex-girlfriend.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Teen rapist sentenced to 10 years

POLSON – District Court Judge James A. Manley convicted teenage rapist, Terrance Gardipe, 18 to 10 years in the Department of Corrections.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Surprise attack ends in murder gone wrong

POLSON – Prosecutors believe Desmond Alan Mackay hid behind a garage side-door March 5 with his fist bitterly gripping a framing hammer over his head. Mackay waited for the moment, second by second, until the time to act arrived.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Old Person evades court again; warrant issued

In 2011, Georgina Old Person pled guilty to writing 28 bad checks to local merchants using Glacier Bank checks. But even though she was only sentenced to 20 days in jail and restitution for her crimes, Old Person served 11 days, asked for a release to see her doctor, and …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Soccer fields open by fall, organizers hope

POLSON – It was a large gift from the estate of Mildred Weber Hansen that enabled Polson Youth Soccer to take the giant step of buying and developing new property.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Rotary donates 20 grand to Youth Soccer

POLSON – There might not be anything hotter than tasting the prize-winning meal waiting inside a bowl of beans, meat and perfectly-blended spices from the 2014 Polson Chili cook-off: Except maybe the $20,000 the cook-off raised and donated to the Polson Youth Soccer league Sept. 2.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Check washing is a dirty local crime

POLSON – Responding to a recent spree of check thefts, cops are asking Polson residents to keep an eye on their mailboxes.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

INFR rodeo draws fans, friends, family

POLSON -- Rodeo fans got the chance to see another high energy, action-filled, don’t-shut-your-eyes INFR event in Polson Aug. 21 through 23 when the Flathead River Rodeo came to town.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Teen rapist gets sentenced today

POLSON – Convicted teenage rapist, Terrance Gardipe will learn his fate today (Aug. 28) when he is sentenced by District Court Judge James A. Manley.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Body found in Ronan field is that of missing Whitefish rental car driver

By Michelle Lovato
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Grand Marshalls, the Fays are veterans of volunteering

RONAN – Jack Fay’s mom would be proud. Her son Jack is an outstanding friend, a treasure to the community and a veteran defender of the United States.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Everyone wins with summer reading program

POLSON – The North Lake County Public Library wrapped up its 2014 Family Summer Reading Program Aug. 14 by drawing names for dozens of prizes displayed at the library throughout the summer.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Suspect prefers dentist to jail

POLSON -- Robert Stokes was released on his own recognizance Aug. 13 after Lake County District Court Judge James A. Manley received an unopposed motion to release him.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Wild horse kicks child at Wild Horse Island Sunday

BIG ARM – A young girl visiting Wild Horse Island learned a good lesson about wild horses when she tried to hand feed one of them Aug. 17.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Accused rapist denied bail modification

POLSON -- Lake County District Court Judge Deborah Kim Christopher denied accused rapist, Robert Mathewson a bail reduction.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

From chemo to college: Aiden won't quit

RONAN – Aiden Reichman is at the threshold of adult life. The 19-year-old college sophomore is a week from moving into his dorm, a few weeks from starting his 16-credit semester.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Polson boy recovering from otter attack

POLSON – Zack Whipple, 9 of Polson was visiting grandma’s house when he jumped into the cool water of Lake in the Woods northeast of Kalispell Aug. 4 and felt splashing underneath his feet that felt like fish swimming nearby.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

These girls rocked Art in the Park

By Michelle Lovato
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Growers face potential cherry disaster

POLSON – Location made the difference for area cherry orchardists fighting the dreaded outcome of a hard summer rain: Cherry splitting.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO