KRISTI NIEMEYER
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 editor@leaderadvertiser.com or 406-883-4343.
Recent Stories
Black-powder enthusiasts gather for Fort Connah Turkey Shoot
“Fire in the hole,” someone yelled as the ear-piercing crack of a black-powder rifle split the silence last Saturday at Fort Connah, north of St. Ignatius.
Ronan community mourns victim of alleged murder
The community of Ronan is reeling from the loss of Ed Loder, 67, who was allegedly murdered Saturday, Aug. 31, as he walked along the bike trail near his home and shop on Timberlane Road, southeast of Ronan.
Lake County struggles with wage increases for county workers
Lake County employees won’t see much of a pay increase in the coming year if commissioners stick with a plan passed by the Board of Compensation on Tuesday.
EPA grant funds program to monitor pesticides in water
Pesticides and herbicides are readily available and widely used by everyone from homeowners to the ag industry to municipalities. They keep golf courses green and help knock back invasions of knapweed – Montana’s “other” state flower.
Passion for the natural world takes Ronan grad to Costa Rica
Mollie Sydnor, a 2023 graduate of Ronan High School, likes turtles, water and the natural world. Those interests converged during a recent internship at the Pacuare Nature Reserve in Costa Rica, where she spent a several months monitoring nesting leatherback sea turtles.
Commissioners approve levy to pay for Lake County Jail expansion
Property taxes will go up across Lake County in November due to a $3.8 million judgement levy passed last week by the county commissioners to help cover the costs of expanding and remodeling the jail.
Ronan receives $1.25M to revitalize downtown
Four decades ago, Ronan’s Main Street was a bustling place, with grocery, clothing, furniture, hardware and drug stores, cafes and even a jewelry shop. But as small towns everywhere declined and box stores flourished, those Main Street businesses moved to the highway corridor or closed completely.
Lake County bills state for Public Law 280 expenses
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen was sent a bill Monday for $151,038 – the cost Lake County says was spent to detain, transport and prosecute tribal members accused of committing felonies in Lake County during the month of June.
CSKT Tribal Complex named in honor of Vern Clairmont
Vern Clairmont, who died a year ago on July 11, was honored earlier this month at the Tribal Complex, which has been renamed in his honor.
Flathead Monster comes ashore in Polson
A sinuous creature now swims in Sacajawea Park, thanks in large part to the vision of Pat Binger, the artistry of sculptor John Leon, and the hard work of Polson City Parks and Recreation staff.