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Articles with the Tag: Lake County Sheriff's Office

Car crash at Swan Lake

News from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office LAKE COUNTY — A fatal crash was reported to Lake County 911 at about 12:50 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 27. The identity of the person involved the crash on Highway 83 at mile marker 73 is Jordan Laven, 38, of Kalispell. The Montana Highway Patrol is inves...

Local officials sworn in Local officials sworn in

LAKE COUNTY — On Dec. 9, public officials were sworn into their positions at the Lake County Courthouse. The elected officials sworn in included Sheriff Don Bell, Justice of the Peace Rick Schoening, Superintendent of Schools Carolyn Hall, Treasurer Robin Vert-Rubel, Clerk and Recorder Katie Harding, A...

Malatare sentenced for assault Malatare sentenced for assault

POLSON — A St. Ignatius man was sentenced at District Court in Polson on Dec. 1 to the Montana State Prison for 5 years on a domestic assault charge. Shawn Wayne Malatare, 54, entered a plea of guilty to felony partner or family member assault during an earlier court appearance. That was just before th...

Ohara pleads guilty to burglary

POLSON — A Bigfork man has admitted to breaking into a state-owned building for the purpose of committing a theft. Colby Glenn Ohara, 32 entered a plea of guilty at District Court in Polson on Nov. 2 to one count of felony burglary. Ohara was initially charged with three counts of burglary, but two ...

Johnson pleads not guilty to sex abuse

POLSON — A Polson man is accused of attempting to solicit a 13-year-old girl, allegedly for sex, as she was walking home from school recently. Scott William Johnson, 59, entered a plea of not guilty at District Court in Polson on Oct. 26 to felony sexual abuse of children. According to court reco...

Crash and scam updates for Oct. 26, 2022

News from the Lake County Sheriff’s Department LAKE COUNTY — On Oct. 20 at about 7:15 p.m., Lake County 911 took a report of a two-vehicle head-on collision north of mile marker 65, on US Highway 93 in the “Jette Hill” or “Sunnyslope” area. The crash resulted in the f...

Johnson arrested for child sex abuse Johnson arrested for child sex abuse

POLSON — According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, on Oct. 5 at approximately 5:30 p.m., Lake County 911 took a report of a suspicious male in a work truck attempting to lure a girl under the age of 16 to his home in the Polson area. Deputies responded and in the ensuing investigation de...

Deputies respond to home invasion assault

News from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office RONAN — On July 7, Lake County 911 took a report of a home invasion assault on Hummingbird Lane in Ronan. Deputies responded and determined the sole occupant of the residence had been assaulted by two males who fled the scene. The suspect males were...

New hire and retirements

POLSON — James Lapotka has been sworn in as the top prosecutor of Lake County. Former Lake County Attorney Steve Eschenbacher’s last day was June 30. Lapotka was sworn-in as the new Lake County Attorney that afternoon by District Judge Molly Owen.  Also retiring this week was Barbara Mars...

County election approaches

LAKE COUNTY — The Lake County Election Office is gearing up for in-person voting Tuesday, June 7, when polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the primary election. Absentee ballots must arrive in the election office or polling place by 8 p.m. Tuesday.  Election administrator Toni Kramer says p...


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