Lake County Leader / Anderson Broadcasting
Jeff Smith is news director for Anderson Broadcasting and a contributor to the Lake County Leader.
ARTICLES BY JEFF SMITH
Arlee man accused of making false unemployment claims
An Arlee man is accused of receiving funding from unemployment benefits based on false statements. Thomas L. Howard, 59, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson March 18 to felony charges of theft and making false claims to public agency.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 2 DAYS, 18 HOURS AGO
Ronan man pleads not guilty to assaulting 2-year-old
Tyler Hildreth, 30, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson March 12 to misdemeanor partner or family member assault and felony charges of assault on a minor and endangering the welfare of children. The Ronan man is accused of hitting a child with a porcelain plate …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 2 DAYS, 18 HOURS AGO
Polson High student accused of raping 14-year-old
A Polson High School student, accused of raping a 14-year-old girl, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson March 12 to sexual intercourse without consent.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 2 DAYS AGO
Ronan man enters Alford plea for abusing woman with disabilities
Ronan resident Eddie Robert Cowen, 41, entered an Alford plea in District Court in Polson March 4 to abuse of a vulnerable person.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 2 DAYS AGO
Missoula woman admits to dealing fentanyl
A Missoula woman admitted that she attempted to deal fentanyl in Lake County.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 2 DAYS AGO
Polson woman pleads guilty to negligent homicide
A Polson woman admitted to causing a vehicle accident that killed a passenger in July 2025. Elizabeth Charlotte Hill, 23, entered a plea of guilty in District Court in Polson Feb. 18 to the amended charge of negligent homicide.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 3 WEEKS AGO
Polson man who shot at officers sentenced to 20 years in prison
A Polson man who shot towards law enforcement officers during an armed standoff in 2024 was sentenced in District Court in Polson Feb. 19 to 20 years in the Montana State Prison with none of that time suspended.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 4 WEEKS AGO
Caye sentenced to eight years for firearms, evidence tampering
A Lake County man was sentenced to prison for eight years for unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Gaige Alexander Caye, 23, was also sentenced to eight years in the Montana State Prison on one count of tampering with, or fabricating, physical evidence, which will run concurrently …
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 MONTH AGO
Dayton man accused of strangling girlfriend, criminal mischief
A Dayton man is accused of choking his girlfriend, and in a separate matter, damaging a gate. Orli Christensen Bitsinni, 26, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson Feb. 19 to felony strangulation of a partner or family member.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 MONTH AGO
Polson woman pleads guilty to negligent homicide
A Polson woman admitted to causing a vehicle accident that killed a passenger in July 2025. Elizabeth Charlotte Hill, 23, entered a plea of guilty in District Court in Polson Feb. 18 to the amended charge of negligent homicide.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 MONTH AGO
Riebe sentenced to 20 years for armed standoff
A Polson man who shot towards law enforcement officers during an armed standoff in 2024 was sentenced in District Court in Polson Feb. 19 to 20 years in the Montana State Prison with none of that time suspended.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 MONTH AGO
Polson man sentenced to 75 years for murdering his mother
A Polson man accused of murdering his mother was sentenced in District Court in Polson Feb. 13 to a total of 75 years in the Montana State Prison.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 1 MONTH AGO
Attempted mailbox heist lands Polson man in jail
A Polson man is accused of tearing a mail cluster box off its foundation. Brent Michael Lemler, 36, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson Feb. 12 to felony criminal mischief.
LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 1 WEEK AGO