Charlo, MT Events and More

406 Rifle Company joins Ronan earlier this fall

A new family-owned business, 406 Rifle Company, joined Ronan’s continuing development earlier this fall at the former Red Poppy location. Owner Andy Luedtke became interested in the business because he wanted to build short-barreled suppressed rifles for hunting. Andy said the business goal is to create a one-stop shop for firearms where they can build stocks and put together guns. They're already on their way, with Kelly Clairmont building custom wood stocks and Jeremiah Kelly designing aluminum chassis. Rooted in a lifelong love of hunting, fishing and the outdoors, the company specializes in integrally suppressed barrels, firearms, ammunition and outdoor apparel. Gun counter clerk Ben Hopper explained that an integrally suppressed barrel has the suppressor built into the barrel. He said these barrels don’t sacrifice what you normally would with a threaded suppressor, which alters the barrel's harmonics and performance. Hopper said integrally suppressed barrels are 20-40% quieter than a traditional suppressor, reduce recoil by 40% and make “phenomenal guns.” He added that they are great because you can teach someone how to shoot a firearm without them developing any bad habits from recoil. Andy added that these barrels are more lightweight, and he believes they are the future of

Ronan, MT · 1d

Lake County Leader

Although Forstag wins House seat, Lake County voters largely buck blue wave

The so-called “blue tsunami” that swept the nation on Election Day when voters overwhelmingly elected Democrats, even in Republican strongholds like Texas, South Carolina and Kansas, was more of a ripple in Montana. Western District voters sent Sam Forstag to Congress – he’s the first Democrat to hold that seat since Pat Williams retired from office in 1997. Forstag lost to Republican Aaron Flint in Lake County, 6,141 to 7,471, but picked up the votes he needed elsewhere to win 50%-47% (135,096 to 124,747). He replaces Republican Ryan Zinke, who announced last spring he would not seek reelection. The four-way race to replace outgoing U.S. Senator Steve Daines was secured by former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme – the only Republican to file when Daines abruptly announced his retirement on the eve of the filing deadline last March. Alme claimed 48% or 235,549 votes in the statewide contest (50% in Lake County, with 7,110). Independent Seth Bodnar received 38% or 184,551 votes (34% in Lake County, with 4,820); Democrat Alani Bankhead claimed 12% with 59,950 (13% or 1,905 in Lake County); and Libertarian Kyle Austin walked away with just 2%. County sends both parties to Statehouse Lake County remains a lively

Lake County, MT · 1d

Char-Koosta News

Tribal Council Honors Retiring Interior Senior Attorney

PABLO —The Tribal Council of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) honored Duane Mecham, who is retiring as a senior attorney with the U.S. Department of the Interior, Regional Solicitor's Office in Portland, Oregon. Duane was involved in negotiating our Water Rights settlement from the very beginning. He...

Pablo, MT · 20h

Char-Koosta News

Salish Kootenai College Announces Historic Name Change to Honor All Three CSKT Tribes

PABLO — Salish Kootenai College will change its name to Séliš Ksanka Qĺispé University (Salish Kootenai Kalispel/Pend d’Oreille) starting in 2027, marking a historic transition for the institution. This change not only reflects the school’s broadened academic scope, featuring a robust selection of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, but also honors the cultural heritage and sovereignty of the three Tribes of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT).

Pablo, MT · 20h

Char-Koosta News

publisher · 565 followers

Local Artists Spend Fall on the CSKT Bison Range Through Open Air Residency

PABLO — Two local artists are spending the fall at the CSKT Bison Range as the first participants in a new artist residency hosted by Open Air, a Montana nonprofit known for place-based arts programs. Lydia McKinney and Mars Sandoval are in residence through November 21. The residency began...

Pablo, MT · 21h

Bigfork Eagle

Echo Lake resident sues county over kayak tour decision

A property owner along Echo Lake is suing the Flathead County Board of Adjustment over its decision to approve a conditional use permit for a business that offers kayak tours from a private residence on Peterson Lake. Rowland and Jaimie Day, who own property along Echo Bay Trail, allege in the lawsuit that the permit approval will lead to more traffic on the narrow private road, increased vehicle conflicts, trespassing, noise and "interference with the use and enjoyment of their property." The lawsuit argues that the board's approval of the permit is illegal because the application failed to address concerns brought forth by other agencies and the public. Rocky Mountain Glass Kayaks offers guided sunset tours in LED-illuminated kayaks and operates tours throughout the Flathead Valley, including on Whitefish River and in Somers Bay. The company has guided kayakers through the string of lakes that includes Echo Lake, Peterson Lake and Abbott Lake since 2025, although it only applied for a conditional use permit this year. Property owner Maray Brinhurst previously told the county that the tour company received no complaints until the county sent letters to the adjoining property owners. In August, the Board of Adjustment voted unanimously to

Flathead County, MT · 2d

Lake County Leader

Legals for November, 12 2026

2026 Mobile Home Taxes Due The second half of 2026 Mobile Home Taxes are due on or before 5:00 p.m. MST on November 30, 2026. Tax payments made through the mail will be considered current if postmarked on or before 5:00 pm MST November 30, 2026. Payments postmarked after this date will be assessed penalty, interest and returned. Payments may be mailed to: LAKE COUNTY TREASURER, TAX DEPT. 106 4TH AVE EAST, POLSON MT 59860 **Please include Tax ID or payment stub with your check.** Currently due mobile home taxes may be paid online at: WWW.LAKEMT.GOV There is a 3% convenience fee to pay by credit card. Payments made online must be received by 5:00 pm MST of the due date. All past due taxes must be paid by utilizing our office by calling 406-883-7224 or 406-883-7225. This notice is published in accordance with MCA 15-24-202. PUBLISHED IN THE LAKE COUNTY LEADER ON NOVEMBER 12TH, 19TH AND 26TH 2026 MNAXLP __________________________ 2026 Property Taxes Due The first half of 2026 Real Estate Property Taxes are due on or before 5:00 p.m. MST on November 30, 2026. Tax payments made through the mail will be considered current if postmarked on or

Lake County, MT · 1d

Char-Koosta News

CSKT Tribal Council Appoints New Pablo Representative

PABLO — On Tuesday, November 10, 2026, Levi Hewankorn was sworn into the Pablo representative seat on the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council that had recently been vacant. Tribal Chief Judge Brad Pluff was there to witness and sign the documents. After being sworn in, Hewankorn gave a...

Pablo, MT · 20h

Lake County Leader

publisher · 565 followers

Polson alum takes on UM Western Bulldogs varsity, continues giving back to community

Mila Hawk, a Polson graduate, is kicking off another basketball season with the University of Montana Western, and this time she’s part of the starting lineup. Hawk is a red-shirt junior at UM Western and explained that from the moment she started playing college basketball, she’s been aiming to join a varsity program. Now, as a point guard, she’s earning valuable minutes on the court as her team opens the season with a 3–2 record. “It’s really fun and really cool to see all the work I put in pay off,” Hawk said. “I’m still battling to keep it; the job's not over, but it’s nice to be given an opportunity to play every game.” She began her college career at Carroll College on the junior varsity squad before former UM Western Coach Britt Cooper recruited her. After sitting out the following year due to transfer rules, Hawk started her sophomore year under new Head Coach Ryan Sullivan. Hawk explained that she was a backup point guard that year and got some good minutes. But that didn’t stop her from battling in every practice to prove she deserved her spot on the court. “I just kept working with my coach

Polson, MT · 1d

Bigfork Eagle

Bigfork secures No. 2 seed at state volleyball tournament

The Valkyries may have been the Northwest's No. 1 seed, but Polson came out on top at the Western A volleyball divisional at Hamilton High School Saturday. The Pirates took their second victory over Bigfork in as many days with a four-set win in the championship match. McKenna Corley led the Pirates with 17 kills in the victory; she finished the tournament with 67 and hit .311 over the four games. Aleysia Black had five of Polson's 10 aces in the match. Raegan Waller tallied 17 kills for the Valkyries. Both teams claimed spots in the State A tournament in Bozeman starting Thursday. No. 2 seed Bigfork opens the state tourney against No. 3 Havre at 2 p.m. With a win, the Valkyries will face either No. 4 Columbia Falls or No. 1 Billings Central. As the top seed from the west, Polson gets Custer County in the opening round. Columbia Falls and Frenchtown also secured spots in the State tournament. At the Western A, Columbia Falls knocked out Whitefish in three sets, while Frenchtown bested Southwest No. 1 seed Dillon in four. Frenchtown downed Columbia Falls in five sets late Friday evening to lock the Wildkats into the West's

Bigfork, MT · 2d

Lake County Leader

Polson wins Western A Volleyball Championship

Three tournaments, three championships, and now the Polson Lady Pirates have their sights set on an even bigger prize. Polson capped an impressive run through the Western A Divisional Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 7, defeating Northwest A rival Bigfork 3-1 to claim the divisional championship at Hamilton High School. The Lady Pirates finished the tournament unbeaten, improving to 17-1 overall while collecting their third tournament championship of the season, following victories at the season-opening Tip-Off Tournament and midseason Blocktober Tournament. The championship also sends Polson into the Class A State Volleyball Tournament as the Western Division's top seed, giving the Lady Pirates an opportunity to build on last year's fourth-place state finish. The Lady Pirates had to work for their championship victory against Bigfork, which entered the tournament as the Northwest A Conference's top seed. After dropping the opening set 25-19, Polson regrouped and won three consecutive sets, 25-21, 25-21 and 25-23, to secure the title. McKenna Corley powered Polson's offensive attack with 17 kills while also recording seven solo blocks and one block assist. Embree Bird added nine kills, while Eliza Todd and Logan McCrea contributed seven apiece. Rylee Taylor-Jefferson directed the offense with 27 assists, while Kendyl

Polson, MT · 1d

montanakaimin.com

Show up and throw down

On a cold Wednesday night, when only streetlamps light the empty foggy roads, you may hear the faint bass from a speaker under the Beartracks Bridge. If you look closer, a pair of dancers throw down shimmies and “star walks” to rap music while no one is watching.

montanakaimin.com

The price of the past: Missoula’s dispute over a Native American war shirt

A growing Missoula coalition is calling for the repatriation of a purported sacred Lakota Sioux war shirt from Missoula’s Origin Gallery, which removed the item from its window display in early October after facing criticism from community members. It is currently still listed for sale at $35,000 on Origin Gallery’s website.

NBCMontana

partner publisher · 601 followers

University of Montana alumna wins top college photojournalism award

MISSOULA, Mont. — A University of Montana journalism alumna has become the first in school history to win the top prize in the College Photographer of the Year competition, one of the world's most prestigious student photojournalism contests. Maddie McCuddy, 23, of La Center, Washington, earned the competition's top...

Missoula, MT · 6h

Montana Sports

Montana volleyball adds 5, including Frenchtown's Rachel Walls

The Montana volleyball program has announced five new players joining the program for the 2027 season. The Griz are bringing in two players from Colorado, twins from Oregon, and one from Frenchtown.

Frenchtown, MT · 1d

Montana Sports

partner publisher · 601 followers

Missoula Loyola's Spencer Laird makes it official, signs with Stanford women's basketball

Missoula product and Loyola senior Spencer Laird put pen to paper on Wednesday and made her commitment to Stanford women's basketball official.

NBCMontana

University of Montana recognized as top military-friendly college

MISSOULA, Mont. — The University of Montana has once again been recognized as one of the nation's top military-friendly colleges among Tier 1 research institutions. The annual Military Friendly Schools rankings evaluate universities using national data, student veteran feedback and institutional surveys. UM also ranked among the top 10 Military Spouse Friendly institutions.

Missoula, MT · 2d

mtpr.org

Missoula AI company sues city over data center regulations

Last month, Missoula City Council adopted an ordinance to keep data centers from expanding within city limits. It closed what city staff referred to as a “loophole” by broadening the definition for data centers. Now, CubCloud AI, founded in Missoula, is suing the city. CEO Joshua Rhines says...

Char-Koosta News