Polson Judge McNeil to retire

POLSON — District Judge C.B. McNeil of Polson has announced his retirement, effective Sept. 5.

McNeil wrote a letter to Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike McGrath last week saying, “It’s just time to retire” after 29 years on the bench.

McNeil was elected as the first judge of the then newly created 20th Judicial District in November 1984. He says in the nearly three decades that followed, he has presided over more than 27,000 cases, including 5,315 felony criminal cases and 223 jury trials.

McNeil said he gave notice of his resignation with enough time to find a successor for the district, which includes Lake and Sanders counties.