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
Flathead Lake already within a foot of full pool
Looking for a breathtaking view? Head down the stone steps to the overlook above Séliš Ksanka Ql̓ispé Dam southwest of Polson. But be prepared for a breath-stealing walk back up.
Tourism grant gives proposed Polson ice arena $1.25 million boost
A $1.25 million tourism grant from the Montana Department of Commerce slides the Mission Valley Ice Arena significantly closer to reality.
Former Polson man files complaint against library alleging ADA violation
Former Polson resident Michael Ross has lodged a civil complaint in U.S. District Court in Missoula, accusing the North Lake County Library and its director, Abbi Dooley, of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Duct Tape Caper: Attendance incentive sticks Polson principal to the wall
Kids at Linderman Elementary in Polson were able to stick it to principal Kristin Wilson last Friday. Or, rather, stick her to it in a duct-tape attendance challenge.
Polson attorney, briefly a judge-elect, to serve three years on probation for drug use
Polson attorney Kenneth Britton "Britt" Cotter was on the cusp of taking his seat as newly elected District Court judge for Lake and Sanders counties, when he abruptly resigned on Dec. 22, 2024. A little over a year later, he sat in the same Polson courtroom where he would have presided, as defendant instead of judge.
December's deluges fill Flathead Lake
Anyone who has ventured to the shore of Flathead Lake recently may have noticed that its level resembles that of midsummer. That’s an anomaly, says Brian Lipscomb, the head of Energy Keepers, which manages the tribally owned Séliš Ksanka Ql̓ispé Dam.
Rotarians disperse free dictionaries to third graders in Lake County
To all those cynical adults who think dictionaries have gone the way of dinosaurs, replaced by omnipresent search engines: third graders across Lake County beg to differ.
Road makeovers get high marks from drivers and engineers in Lake County
“Those are the best roads in Lake County,” enthused a driver recently after trying out the new surfaces of North Reservoir Road, south of Polson, and Dublin Gulch Road, north of St. Ignatius.
City of Polson navigates "close-to-the-bone" budget
The City of Polson is not living within its means, due to increases in spending and decreases in revenue. This marks the third consecutive year that the city has faced a budget shortfall.
Polson government study commission invites experts to Oct. 2 meeting
Polson’s Local Government Study Review Commission will host a public meeting from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 2 at the library to give an overview of the process and the work commissioners have done so far. The forum will also include a presentation from Montana State University’s Local Government Center.
Supporters hope to squelch talk of moving Polson Farmers Market
More than 40 people crowded into the Polson City Commission chambers and adjacent hallway earlier this month, most there to support keeping the Polson Farmers Market at its downtown location, even though the matter wasn’t on the agenda.
Bill rescinds $63 million for U.S. 93 reconstruction near Ninepipe Reservoir
The “Big Beautiful Bill” that President Donald Trump signed July 4 dealt a less-than-lovely blow to reconstruction of Highway 93 near Ninepipe Reservoir, especially the stretch from Eagle Pass Trail to Brooks Lane, originally slated for 2027.
Funding cuts leave Flathead Lakers paddling in rough water
White caps were beginning to take shape on Flathead Lake Saturday morning as participants in the Flathead Lakers annual Poker Paddle returned to Boettcher Park.
Missing rower was part of round-the-world team
As of Tuesday, Lake County Sheriff’s Department and Search and Rescue were continuing to search for James "Dingo” Dominguez, 58, of Cheyenne, Wyo., whose non-motorized boat capsized July 15 on the turbulent waters of Flathead Lake.
St. Joe's to break ground on new clinic in Polson
“This is a place of good heart in our language,” said former Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Councilman Steve Lozar of Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson. There was plenty of “good heart” on display Monday at the groundbreaking of St. Joe’s new clinic.
All the world's a stage for couple behind Port Polson Players
What sounds like the opening scene of a musical led to Karen and Neal Lewing’s real-life marriage a few months later, and the enduring partnership that’s at the heart of the Port Polson Players – now celebrating 50 seasons of summer theatre.
Teens rescue Big Arm woman trapped beneath mower
By Monday, Kyle Geyer looked pretty chipper. Especially for a woman who had spent four hours last Friday pinned beneath her riding lawnmower. She’s also exceedingly grateful to the two boys who saved her life, Danny Fehr and Channing Thompson who were visiting from Billings.
Lake County takes steps to bring home its garbage
After 25 years of shipping household waste to Missoula, Lake County is bringing home its garbage.
Young Polson resident says ducks deserve a hearing
Ducks face discrimination in the City of Polson, and Johnny Lapotka aims to change that. The 10-year-old resident of Ward 2 told Polson City commissioners that ducks – which aren’t permitted under the existing chicken ordinance – are superior to chickens in many ways.
Public Law 280 saga winds down with three signatures
Monday marked a quiet end to a long-running saga as the three Lake County commissioners signed a resolution rescinding three previous attempts to remove the county from the responsibilities enshrined in Public Law 280.
Governor signs bill addressing Public Law 280
With little fanfare, Senate Bill 393 became law last week. The legislation, carried by Polson Sen. Greg Hertz, signals a major breakthrough in the funding and future cooperation surrounding law enforcement on the Flathead Reservation.
Montana Legislature hits pause on Public Law 280
The future of Public Law 280, the law enforcement agreement between the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and state and county governments, seems to be on pause – at least at the legislative level.
Lake County launches three road reconstruction projects
Three Lake County roads will be rebuilt this summer, with funding awarded in 2022 from the American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity program.
Lake County commissioner slams Polson Police chief's book
What’s typically a cordial monthly meeting between city and county government officials collapsed last Tuesday afternoon, after Lake County Commissioner Gale Decker opened the session which he introduced as “a hearing” – by lambasting a book recently published by Polson Police Chief George Simpson.
Polson commission revisits resort tax
Susan Nicosia, who retired last June after serving as Columbia Falls city manager for 13 years, told the Polson City Commission earlier this month that a 3% resort tax has been a boon to her community.
Attorney John Mercer returned to the bench in 20th Judicial District
Gov. Greg Gianforte last month reappointed prominent Polson attorney John Mercer to serve on the 20th Judicial District Court, which includes Lake and Sanders counties.
Polson explores options for second fire station
The Polson City Commission authorized city staff to explore a potential land transfer or purchase with Cougar Ridge Development that could provide property to build a second fire station.d
Five vie for seat on 20th Judicial District bench
Five candidates are seeking a two-year appointment as judge in Department 2 of the 20th Judicial District, which serves Lake and Sanders counties.
Arlee woman crowned Mrs. Grand International 2024
Estella Fullerton of Arlee was recently crowned Mrs. Grand International 2024 during a competition held Nov. 23-28 in Myanmar.
Mercer to seek appointment to open 20th District Court judge seat
The abrupt resignation of judge-elect Britt Cotter last week reopened a seat in the 20th District Court that had already been plagued with turmoil.
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.