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.
Lake County commissioners plan to impose levy for jail expansion
Lake County commissioners unanimously approved earlier this month two resolutions aimed at financing the new courthouse annex and paying for an expansion of the jail.
Tribes receive $7.7 million from USDA for meat-processing plant
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are among eight tribal nations that recently received an Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Lake County petitions White House to remedy Flathead Lake's water woes
Lake County commissioners sent a letter to President Joe Biden June 6, asking him to intercede “on behalf of two counties and affected U.S. citizens visiting this area” and to make compensation for “depredations” by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, mostly pertaining to the low water level in Flathead Lake last summer.
New sculpture graces busy Polson street corner
With a storm blowing in from the north May 23, Cameron Decker unveiled “Still Life,” an outdoor sculpture that graces the southeast corner of Third Avenue and Main Street in Polson.
Lake County's John Grant leaves a legacy defined by birds, land and water
At Leon Hall, just south of Ninepipe, friends, neighbors and colleagues gathered Saturday to celebrate the legacy of retired wildlife-area manager John Grant and his 33-year effort to tend and protect a vast swath of critical wildlife habitat.
Band Tin Finley brings strong melodies to Polson theater performance
For Polson native Kati O’Toole, the concert April 20 at the Theatre on the Lake in Polson marks a musical homecoming. The Polson High School grad joins another alum, bassist Eric Hogenson, and friends and bandmates Annette Strean and Kirk Cornelius in Tin Finley – a band named after Nashville’s famed Tin Angel restaurant (where three of the four members either met or worked) and inspired by the quartet’s Montana roots.
John Mercer applies to fill judicial vacancy
Longtime Polson attorney and former state legislator and Speaker of the House John Mercer has applied to fill the remaining office term of former District Court Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher, who resigned from the bench effective April 5.
Judge Christopher announces resignation, effective April 5
In a letter dated March 15, District Court Judge Kim Christopher informed Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike McGrath that she is officially stepping down from her duties April 5. She calls the decision to resign “especially bittersweet,” given her family’s long history in Lake and Sanders counties.
Lake County officials look for answers on Public Law 28 withdrawal from U.S. Attorney
Frustration seemed to be the tenor this week at the Lake County Courthouse as public officials contemplate their withdrawal from Public Law 280, which has given the county felony jurisdiction over tribal members on the Flathead Reservation for nearly 60 years.
Gianforte addresses Lake County's withdrawal from Public Law 280
In a long-awaited letter, Gov. Greg Gianforte informed the Lake County Commissioners March 1 that his administration had no intention of allocating “current resources to assist with law enforcement in Lake County” after May 20, when the county officially pulls out of Public Law 280.
Attorney files for embattled judge's seat in 20th Judicial District
Local attorney Britt Cotter filed last week for the Lake and Sanders counties District Court seat held by embattled Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher.
Jury finds Craig McCrea guilty of two counts of felony arson
Former firefighter Craig McCrea was found guilty Feb. 8 on two of four counts of arson after a dramatic four-day trial at the Lake County Courthouse.
Lake County jury deliberates on complex arson case
“In Montana, smoke on the air means a lot of different things to a lot of different people,” Assistant Attorney General Thorin Geist told jurors Monday morning at the Lake County Courthouse. “But in the summer of 2021, that smell meant one thing to the defendant, Craig McCrea. The evidence in this case will show that for Craig McCrea, that smell meant one more fix, one more opportunity to use fentanyl.”
Montana Supreme Court removes Lake County judge from child-custody case
In a 5-0 opinion, the Montana Supreme Court took what justices describe as “an extraordinary remedy” of asserting “supervisory control” over a Lake County child-custody case.
Resurrection: Three Chiefs Cultural Center returns to Pablo
For Marie Torosian, director of Three Chiefs Cultural Center in Pablo, hope rises from ashes. It lives in every moccasin, headdress, beaded bag or vest that survived the arson-caused fire that demolished the People’s Center Sept. 6, 2020.
Founder of Salish Kootenai College remembered for contributions to community
Many flags across the Flathead Reservation are flying at half-mast this week in honor of Dr. Joe McDonald, a visionary educator and tribal leader who died last Thursday, Dec. 14. The founder of Salish Kootenai College was 92.
Tribal, Lake County officials plan for life after Public Law 280
“You have my commitment that – no matter what happens going forward – if you call 911, we're coming,” Lake County Sheriff Don Bell said during a crowded recent meeting at the Lake County Courthouse.
Wasps culprits in Pablo well contamination
Thirsty wasps, discovered in the electrical boxes of two wells in Pablo, are blamed for an e. coli contamination that forced residents and businesses to boil water and consume bottled water for two weeks.
Lake County reaches settlement in jail lawsuit
Agreement promises more beds, outdoor recreation space
The federal court in Missoula gave final approval Nov. 21 to a settlement between the inmates of Lake County Jail and jail administrators.
Lake County initiates withdrawal from law enforcement agreement
The Lake County Board of Commissioners sent a certified letter to Gov. Greg Gianforte on Monday, formally announcing their intention to withdraw from Public Law 280, the nearly 60-year-old agreement that gives the state jurisdiction over felonies committed by tribal members on the reservation.
Judge’s ruling favors state in Public Law 280 dispute
Flathead County District Court Judge Amy Eddy ruled against Lake County on Nov. 9 in an ongoing legal battle with the state of Montana over who should fund Public Law 280.
Polson High School student sets sights on Carnegie Hall
Polson High School junior Bethany Butler has wanted to sing in Carnegie Hall since she was 6 years old. “I love Carnegie Hall not only because everybody, like anybody who wants to sing, wants to sing at Carnegie Hall,” she says.
Lake County deputy named School Resource Officer of the Year
Soft-spoken Lake County deputy Nate Lundeen, who was recently named School Resource Officer of the Year, clearly feels both a sense of responsibility and affection for the kids he interacts with daily at Polson schools.
NAG’s Last Hurrah: Arts group plans to fold after Shakespeare performances
As evening settles around Good Old Days Park in St. Ignatius this weekend, the few remaining members of Ninepipe Arts Group (fondly known as NAG) will settle in too, ready to savor Montana Shakespeare in the Parks’ performances of “The Three Musketeers” on Saturday and “Measure for Measure” on Sunday.
Lake County: A century old and looking to the next 100 years
Retired District Court Judge Jim Manley reminded an audience of several hundred Saturday that the 1923 election that created Lake County was probably “the first time most women here ever got to vote,” thanks to the 19th Amendment, passed in 1920.
A Pilgrim’s Journey: Community says goodbye to beloved Polson pastor John Payne
A chorus of well-wishers gathered in a grassy courtyard at St. Joseph Medical Center recently to say so-long to hospital chaplain and local pastor John Payne, who has since moved to Whidbey Island, near Seattle.
Fairgrounds offers sanctuary to fire evacuees
When mandatory evacuations for Walking Horse Lane and Early Dawn Road and adjacent areas near Big Arm were announced last Thursday afternoon by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Vicki Holmberg, Polson Fairgrounds caretaker, was immediately on the phone with people seeking shelter for their animals and places to park their campers and RVs. When she wasn’t on the phone, she was showing people where to put their animals.
Polson to revisit annexation proposal spurred by casino project
The Polson City Commission on Monday will revisit a proposal for the municipality to annex nearly 80 acres of land belonging to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, and located west of the Polson bridge.
Tribal community mourns loss of "pillar"
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes lost “a pillar” earlier this month, when Vern Clairmont died July 11 of pancreatic cancer. He was 69.
Lake level could hit lowest level by Saturday
In the past weeks, the water level of Flathead Lake has dropped 1.75 feet below full pool of 2,893 feet, and is expected to be a full two feet below by this Saturday.
Dick Erb: “Brilliant, humble and inclusive”
Moiese Valley rancher Dick Erb brought a wise and generous spirit to life’s challenges – whether it was fine-tuning the sprinklers in his hay fields, helping stabilize the economies of nations facing debt crisis or focusing his insights and global experience on complex local issues.
Flathead Lake level drops prematurely
If people have noticed that the level of Flathead Lake appears to be dropping much sooner than normal, it’s not a figment of their imaginations. Instead, says Brian Lipscomb, CEO of Energy Keepers which operates the SKQ Dam, it’s a tangible result of a warming climate.
Spirit squad: 3 Polson grads make UM cheerleading team
“I’m in a little bit of a pickle,” admits Polson High senior Lucy Violett, who recently won a spot on the UM Griz Cheer Squad.
Lake County poised to withdraw from PL 280 after governor's veto
Gov. Greg Gianforte last week vetoed House Bill 479 – the only bill regarding Public Law 280 to make it through the 2023 Legislature. And this Thursday, the Lake County commissioners will vote on whether to withdraw from the law enforcement agreement that’s given the county felony criminal jurisdiction over tribal members since 1965.
Judge rules Public Law 280 suit can move forward
The fate of Public Law 280 – the agreement between the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Lake County and the state of Montana that gives the county jurisdiction over felonies committed on the Flathead Reservation – remains in limbo.
Mission student's ledger art selected to hang in Congress
Cedar Hunt's recent painting, “Girl on Horse,” won the Congressional Art Competition for Montana’s First Congressional District, represented by U.S. Congressman Ryan Zinke, and will hang in the halls of Congress for the coming year.
Lake County awaits final decision on funding PL 280
House Bill 479, a bill originally introduced by Ronan Rep. Joe Read and Bigfork Rep. Bob Keenan, has passed the House and advanced out of the Senate Finance and Claims Committee by executive action, 19-0, Monday.
Two Lake County elected officials and CFO announce departures
Two Lake County elected officials and the chief financial officer announced last week that they are leaving their posts in the courthouse in the near future.
Polson police chief resigns after DUI charge
Polson Police Chief Wade Nash stepped down from his role Tuesday and has announced that he will officially retire from the force May 2. The announcement came Tuesday morning, and followed the chief’s DUI arrest early Saturday morning.
Swan Song: Beloved Mission Valley choral director takes final bow
Christian Bumgarner stepped in front of the Mission Valley Choral Society on April 1 for the final concert he would lead under the arched ceiling and luminous paintings of the historic Mission in St. Ignatius.