Gov. Greg Gianforte last week nominated John Mercer to serve out the remainder of a vacancy on the Lake County bench created after the winner of last year's election resigned amid drug charges.

A convicted killer facing new charges in ... West Windsor condominium in September 1991. John Smith, who turned 73 on April 2, was extradited to Mercer County Correction Center three years ago ...

Mercer, a former long-time legislator and Polson attorney, was previously appointed in 2024 following District Judge Kim ...