Ellington

Montana taxpayers deserve tax simplification and tax relief

By Jane Egan, Bob Story, and Glenn Oppel

Legislators worked together for public safety and privacy

By Attorney General Tim Fox

Trade Promotion Authority promotes level playing field

By Webb Brown, President/CEO, Montana Chamber of Commerce

Now what...

What if?  Where would we be today?  What if in 2008 the McCain/Palin ticket had garnered the 53% plurality from the 62% of eligible voters in American instead of Obama?  Just think about it.  Where would we be today?

Memorial Day

Last Saturday, Justin Davis (left) and Victoria Twardokus (right) place flags upon the graves of veterans in preparation for Memorial Day last weekend.

Veterans and family members do their duty

PLAINS - The preparations for Memorial Day started last Thursday in the Plains cemetery with the Women’s Auxiliary that is connected with the Plains VFW Post 3596. The group placed flags on the graves of women who were members of the Women’s Auxiliary.

Volunteers beautify the Plains Cemetery

PLAINS - Wednesday, under a clear blue sky and a slight breeze, volunteers from the Plains community beautified and prepared the town’s graveyard in preparation for Memorial Day.

County will recycle e-waste

THOMPSON FALLS – Residents of Sanders County will have a chance to recycle their used electronics later in the week.

P Hill Project raises funds

PLAINS – Plains High School alumni gathered at the Sanders County Fairgrounds to show their support for the P Hill last weekend.

Three years in a row

Plains Head Coach Denise Montgomery proudly displays the Class B hardware to a crowd of supporters at Plains High School last weekend. This year's state title was the Trotters third consecutive championship.

Outdoor school

Kylie Plakke paddles on the pond at the Savenac Nursery during the Superior Outdoor Week.

Week long event in Haugan educates students about the outdoors

HAUGAN – Students from the Superior Elementary School descended upon the historic Savenac Nursery in Haugan last week to learn skills they will easily put to use in the many outdoor recreational opportunities Mineral County has to offer.

St. Regis students raise funds for trip

ST. REGIS – One teacher and the principal at the St. Regis High School were walking the halls and teaching classes last Friday wearing somewhat non-traditional attire in order to honor a wager they made with the student body.

State C Track and Field Meet

Marissa Koke of Superior heaves the javelin at the state meet in Laurel last weekend.

Hot Springs radio station

HOT SPRINGS - It started back in 2006. David Max, now a resident of Hot Springs, was living in Missoula and found himself in legal battles to try an create a radio station.

Engagement Announcement; Kulawinski-Timmer

Chelsea Kulawinski and Randy Timmer of Plains announce their intention to marry.  A late June wedding is planned in Plains, Montana.

Fair Board

Wade Rehbein was in attendance at his first meeting as a member of the Sanders County Fair Board.

Fair Board holds May meeting at fairgrounds

PLAINS – The Sanders County Fair Board met for their regular May meeting last week at the county’s fairgrounds pavilion.

Plains-Hot Springs

Trotters senior Josey Carr drives a pitch into the gap during the team's play-in game victory against Thompson Falls.

Trotters compete at state softball tournament in Belgrade

BELGRADE – The State B-C Softball Tournament kicked off last week with the Plains-Hot Springs Trotters joining the western contingent of the field at the year’s final competition.

Horsemen and Bluehawks battle at Legends Stadium

KALISPELL – The boys of Sanders County’s Class B schools were also active during last week’s State Championship Meet in Kalispell.

Savage Heat

Trevor Paro (far right) hands off the baton to a teammate during last week's state meet in Laurel.

Red Devils and Savage Heat compete at State Meet

LAUREL – The Laurel Sports Complex played host to the State C Track Meet last week as the boys of Noxon Red Devils and Hot Springs Savage Heat competed in the competition near Billings.

Plains Trotters

Sally Finneran/Bigfork Eagle Plains senior Hailey Phillips cruises to her her third-straight state title in the 400 meter dash on Friday, at Legends Stadium in Kalispell.

Dynasty

KALISPELL – Last week the Plains Trotters opened their quest for three consecutive state championships in track and field at Legends Stadium in Kalispell.

On the road to recovery

PLAINS - Since Plains police officer, Frank Ceely, retired in January of 2015, he has gone through a gambit of life changing events that has changed his outlook and his approach to life. The most major one, which occurred April 8th, had perhaps the most profound effect on him.

Memorial Day weekend in Plains

From left to right, Dave Tupper, Charlie Oelschleger and Bill Beck walk along the Plains Cemetery to place flags on veteran's graves last Saturday. 

Obituary; Lila Rae Gullette

SUPERIOR - Lila Rae Gullette, 72 of Superior, passed away Wednesday, May 6, 2015, in Missoula. Lila was born in Hamilton to Lewis and Inez Leavens on September 23, 1942, the seventh of 12 children.

Obituary; Maxine Marie Malek-Erker

MAXINE’S LIFE

State C Meet

Brandon Manahgan competed at the state meet last week after qualifying at the divisional meet the week prior. 

Mineral County athletes storm into state meet

LAUREL - Athletic representatives from Mineral County were on hand last week to show competitors from all over Montana how it is done in Mineral County.

Superior woman killed in car accident

ALBERTON – A Superior woman was killed on Friday, May 22 near Alberton after she apparently lost control of her Ford Explorer SUV on Interstate 90. The accident occurred Friday afternoon around 5 p.m.

LIttle guys take to the diamond

Guyme Kelly heaves the ball toward the plate during a game against Plains last week.

Citizens concerned with crime rate in county

Something must be done about the crimes in Sanders County.

Asian countries interested in Montana energy

By Alan Olson

Coby Guenzler

Coby Guenzler stands with his donated heifer, Gem, at his family's ranch in Hot Springs.

Hot Springs boy receives donated heifer

HOT SPRINGS - Coby Guenzler who lives in Hot Springs on his family’s ranch has been working for seven months on raising a yearlong heifer as part of a donor program called the Northern International Livestock Exposition, Merit Heifer Program .

Jason Helvey

Using ropes and flags Helvey trains the mare, Starbuck, to become accustomed to unknowns and people. 

A feat of strength, patience and skill

SANDERS COUNTY - On a ranch off of Highway 200 between Thompson Falls and Trout Creek there is someone who has taken up a challenge involving a great feat of skill and perseverance. Jason Helvey for the past month has been breaking in a five year old wild mustang mare he picked up April 16th in Boise, Idaho. He will be using the mare in a competition for wild mustangs. The mare was part of a roundup that happens every year for population control.

Troy Hinck

FWP Region 1 Game Warden Troy Hinck investigates a carnivore trapping site to make sure the trapper cleaned the site and removed the steel trap for the closed season.

Law enforcement appreciation week

SANDERS COUNTY- The new FWP Region 1 Game Warden, Troy Hinks, set out last week on Wednesday on a trip up a back country road to examine a set of animal trap sites that were found along some streams. His mission was to make sure that the trap sites were not live, were within a legal area, and to see what people were trapping for along the mountain road.

Creel survey underway across county

SANDERS COUNTY – An Angler Creel Survey is underway in the western edge of Sanders County on the Clark Fork River.

Noxon students ride donkeys in gymnasium

Left to right, Jared VanVleet and Gary Wadman wrestle over a basketball during the donkey basketball game.

Obituary; Dallas Layne Beals

Dallas Layne Beals, age 75 of Walla Walla, passed away at his home on Monday, May 11, 2015.  He was born to the late Dallas and Mary Beals on Sept 26, 1939 in Silesia, Montana.  He graduated from Edgar (MT) High School in 1957 and enlisted in the US Navy.  He was assigned to the USS Yorktown (CV-10) and he made two WestPac deployments.  After his discharge, he moved back to Montana and married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Sielinsky.

BPA

The team included members from Alberton High School and St. Regis High School. Gibson Lowry and Cheyenne Lewis competed.

BPA team returns after trip to California

MINERAL COUNTY – One Mineral County competitive team just returned from Anaheim, CA last week having demonstrated their business acumen at the Business Professionals of America National Convention.

Open Doors opens up

SUPERIOR – Representatives from an organization that had previously released little information about themselves and their plans to help revitalize one town in Mineral County was on hand last week to throw open the veil and reveal who they were and why they want to invest in the town of Superior.

MCSO gets body cams and announces law enforcement camp for youth

MINERAL COUNTY – After having only been on the job for just under six months, Mineral County Sheriff Tom Bauer and his deputies are not only making their presence known amongst those who would break the law, but also among the law abiding public and especially young people.

Long time DAV driver retires

Doug Cummings was a driver for Disabled American Veterans for decades, helping others reach medical appointments far away from their homes.

Savage Heat

Anthony Byrns (center) of Hot Springs qualified for the state meet in multiple events after a big day at the Western C Divisional meet.

Noxon and Hot Springs athletes move on to state meet

MISSOULA – The Dornblaser Field was a busy place last week, hosting both the Western B and Western C divisional competitions.

Play-in game

Plains senior Sami Kinzie slides in safe during the Trotters 16-5 win over Thompson Falls.

Trotters head to State Tournament

PLAINS – With only one spot remaining in the Western B-C Divisional Softball Tournament, the Plains-Hot Springs Trotters and Thompson Falls Lady Hawks faced off in a winner take all play-in game at Plains High School last Tuesday.

Bluehawks and Horsemen compete at divisional meet

MISSOULA – Last week athletes from Thompson Falls and Plains competed in the boys Western B Divisional Meet at the University of Montana.

Bluehawks

Dalton Hooten of Thompson Falls finished the state tournament tied for fourth place after shooting a combined score of 151.

Bluehawk golfers win State Championship

BILLINGS – The county’s Class B golf teams were active in state tournament competition last week.

Plains Trotters

Plains senior Hailey Phillips (far right) competes last week at the Western B Divisional Meet at Dornblaser Field in Missoula.

Trotters take second at divisional meet

MISSOULA – Track and Field athletes from across western Montana descended on Missoula last week for the annual divisional meets.

Obituary; Ellen Haskins Trujillo

Ellen Haskins Trujillo, 68, peacefully ascended into heaven on May 11, 2015. She was born Ellen Carol Hankinson on June 23, 1946 in Missoula, Montana. She attended and graduated high school in Superior, Montana. She later went on to obtain her Law Degree from the School of Law at the University of Montana. After graduating from college in Missoula, Ellen moved to Walsenburg, Colorado where she established her law practice.  Though Ellen had no biological children of her own, she dedicated part of her career to helping many children as a Guardian Ad Litem.

Obituary; Carol Ann Lynch

71 years ago this month in Colorado Springs, Colorado I came to be daughter to Lyndon and Virginia Curtis and little sister to the late Larry Curtis. I had a happy childhood and being an “Air Force brat” I got to go to a lot of neat places in Europe. Graduated in Florida and went into the work force. Waited tables, did inventory and payroll for various companies. Met and married Mark Lynch and had two sons who survive me now; Scott P. Lynch and Mathew C. Lynch. Soon Mark and I went our separate ways and I started my AAFES career (Army & Air Force Exchange Service) for the next 27 years. Had many assignments all across the U.S., met a lot of people and made good friends, also met Helen who became my life partner. I retired from AAFES and went to Okinawa and worked for the Marine Corp until it was time to really retire. I had always wanted to live in log cabin in the woods so that is how we came to live in De Borgia MT until I was called to my final assignment on 1 Feb 2015. I had and lived a great life, loved and was loved; and by the way... did I mention my name?... Carol Ann Lynch.

Obituary; Buddy E. Campbell

Buddy E. Campbell, 83, of Superior, passed away on Monday, April 27, 2015 at his home of natural causes, surrounded by his loving wife and two sons.

Science exhibit travels to Dixon

DIXON – Students at Dixon Elementary School were in for a treat last Thursday as The University of Montana spectrUM Discovery Area’s Motion exhibit took up residence in the school’s gymnasium for the day.

Donkey basketball in Noxon

Noxon School seniors, teachers and community members played donkey basketball last Tuesday in Noxon.

Home lost in Alberton fire

One minor, non life-threatening injury was reported from the fire in Alberton last week.

Home a total loss in Alberton fire

ALBERTON – A fire that began early Tuesday May 12, at approximately 4 a.m. resulted in the complete destruction of resident’s home. According to information from the scene, one woman was able to escape from the house but did suffer minor injuries.

Mineral County athletes head to state

Marissa Koke finishes strong at a race in Missoula last week.

Science fair

Brooke Jackson, a second grader from Hot Springs elementary school, catches fake lava from her and her partner's, Bella Ilac, science fair project.

Science fair held in Hot Springs

HOT SPRINGS - Wednesday night in the Hot Springs School multipurpose room, students from kindergarten to sixth grade showcased a month’s worth of scientific investigations and exploration to their parents, teachers and fellow classmates.  

School BBQ

Plains fifth and sixth graders who made honor roll and or perfect attendance in the third quarter of the school year celebrate with burgers.

Education celebrated in Sanders County

PLAINS - Outside, behind the Plains High School last Wednesday, the students from the fifth and sixth grade celebrated academic achievement over the third quarter with burgers and soda.

Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce meets

HOT SPRINGS - Over chicken alfredo and salad, the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce held its monthly meeting last Thursday.

"Music for Moms," held in Thompson Falls

THOMPSON FALLS - The Cancer Network of Sanders County (CNSC) held an evening concert for Mother’s Day in the Rex Theater, Saturday night. Titled, “Music for Moms,” the evening consisted of door prizes, music from different musical groups and a solo artist. The funds raised at the door all went into the CNSC’s account for giving gifts to individuals in Sanders County that are in need of financial support during their battle against cancer.

Alberton comes together to beautify

Alberton residents of all ages came out to help beautify the community two weeks ago.

Be Bear Aware Campaign

Chris Wood examines a stuffed grizzly bear during a presentation in Superior last week.

Be bear aware in Mineral County

SUPERIOR – Students at one Mineral County school have a better idea of what to do in case of a bear encounter after a presentation last week with an expert in the field taught them some essential knowledge on the subject.

Teacher Appreciation Week celebrated

MINERAL COUNTY – Students from all across Mineral County took some time last week to celebrate a few of the people in their lives who devote their time and energy into making sure students receive a quality education.

Mineral County runs for fun

Participants take off from the starting line during an annual fun run in Superior that saw runners from all three schools attend.

Obituary; Shelly Marie (Dunks) Sharrah

Shelly Marie (Dunks) Sharrah, 46, died in our home of Asthma Exacerbation April 22,2015.

Prevention program taught

SANDERS COUNTY – Several members of the Sanders County community gathered at a church recently last week to learn what they can do to prevent domestic and sexual violence as well as what role they can play in support of victims.

Plains School

Student art work was displayed in the hallways of Plains High School.

Art students showcase works from semesters

PLAINS - Outside of the Plains School gymnasium on display there was an art exhibit of selected works of students from freshmen to seniors from last Monday to Wednesday.     Works hung from the walls, were set up on pedestals, placed on tables or stationed to zig-zagging walls with black sheets standing in the center of the hallway.  

Trout Creek

Charessa Elder leans over a bingo board during the last party for the Trout Creek after school program.

After school program designed with all in mind

TROUT CREEK - The Trout Creek after school program celebrated its last day Thursday with pizza and bingo.

Thompson Falls Car Wash

The car wash helped to raise funds for the class' end of the year field trip to Silverwood Theme Park.

Eighth graders wash cars

THOMPSON FALLS - The Thompson Falls School’s eighth grade class held a car wash on Saturday to raise funds for their end of the year trip to Silverwood Theme Park in Idaho.

Trotters

Kassidy Kinzie pitches for the Plains 14U team during Saturday's game against Charlo.

14U Plains win in overtime

PLAINS - Starting at 10:00am, Saturday, the Plains 14 and Under Plains battled against the Charlo Lady Vikings at the Plains field.

Hot Springs and Noxon go to Polson

POLSON - Thursday, Noxon and Hot Springs track traveled to Polson for the 14-C track meet.

Madison Fitchett

Madison Fitchett of the Thompson Falls Lady Hawks, stands with her parents Michelle Fitchett-Pirker and Randy Pirker on senior day.

Thompson Falls Lady Hawk senior celebrated

THOMPSON FALLS - To begin the sunny, but blustery Tuesday game between the Thompson Falls Lady Hawks and the Loyola Sacred Heart Breakers, there was a special ceremony for one of the Lady Hawks players.

Alise Ruthford

Alise Ruthford returns a shot last week during the divisional tournament in Superior. She qualified for state.

Superior tennis player headed to state

MINERAL COUNTY - For one Mineral County tennis player, the season isn’t quite over yet.

Hospital levy passes in Mineral County

MINERAL COUNTY – The doors of the Mineral Community Hospital will stay open and the facility will continue to serve the needs of Mineral County residents after voters last week decided to pass a levy that will help the hospital pay off its debts.

Mineral County Fun Run

Thomas Anderson, right, poses with Monte the mascot.

Alberton School closed, nearby fire

Alberton School is closed today, May 12, 2015.

Obituary Eugene E. Simpkins

SUPERIOR – Eugene E. Simkins, 80, of Superior passed away Monday, April 27, 2015 surrounded by his family at his home. He was born November 26, 1934 in Boulder, CO the son of Frank and Pearl (Dahl) Simkins.

Superior play

Cast members of “Every Little Crook and Nanny” perform before a live audience last week at the Superior High School. The production was directed by Cathleen Kuchera.

Theater performance in Superior entertains

SUPERIOR - Students at the Superior High School showcased their flair for the theatrical last week as members of the student body put on a show for community members.

Medicaid expansion to benefit county residents

MINERAL COUNTY – Financial assistance with health care for low-income residents of Mineral County will finally be available after languishing for years in a legislative quagmire after Governor Steve Bullock signed a bill last week to expand Medicaid to approximately 70,000 Montanans.

Scholarships awarded in St. Regis

ST. REGIS – A majority of the graduating seniors from one local high school will, hopefully, find themselves graduating from their college of choice with significantly less debt than the average college graduate after they qualified for substantial scholarships last week.

Chemical spill

This photo was taken at the scene of the tragic chemical spill near Alberton in April, 1996.

Workshop in Alberton educates teams about chemical spills

ALBERTON – Dozens of stakeholders from across the state gathered at a series of locations near Alberton last weekend to learn what was done right and what could be done better in the future if the events of April 11, 1996 were to repeat themselves.

The King

A quilt titled, “The King,” made by Marilyn Simcoe hangs in the Seasonal Splendor section of the Flat-Iron Quilting Guild 2015 Quilt Show.

Quilters turn high school gym into labyrinth of colors

THOMPSON FALLS - The Thompson Falls High School gymnasium was transformed over Saturday and Sunday into a giant quilt wall hanging.

Third quarter honor roll released for Thompson Falls, Plains and Trout Creek schools

Honor roll:

Nate Gray

Hot Springs senior Nate Gray clears a hurdle at the Thompson Falls Invitational earlier in the track and field season.

Hot Springs and Arlee run in Missoula

MISSOULA – The Hot Springs and Noxon track and field teams spent the weekend in Missoula competing in the Kim Haines Invitational at Missoula County Stadium.

Lexi Van Elswyk

Lady Hawks Freshman Lexi Van Elswyk avoids the tag from the Mission-Arlee-Charlo catcher during a game last Friday.

Lady Hawks hit their stride

THOMPSON FALLS – The Thompson Falls Lady Hawks hosted the Mission-Arlee-Charlo Bulldogs last Friday in a hard fought game.

Kimberly Earhart

Plains junior Kimberly Earhart competes during an early

Trotters take second at Archie Roe Invite

KALISPELL – Track and Fields athletes from Plains and Thompson Falls were in Kalispell last weekend to take part in the 40th annual Archie Roe Invitational.

Diana Woodward

Trotters junior Diana Woodward drives a pitch into the outfield during Plains-Hot Springs game against Loyola Sacred Heart last Tuesday.

Trotters split doubleheader at home

PLAINS - Tuesday the Plains-Hot Springs Trotters faced off against the Loyola Sacred Heart Breakers in a double header at the Plains High School field, at 4:00pm and 6:00pm.

Fame Lopez

Fame Lopez chips onto the green during the tournament at Trestle Creek.

Jade LaDeaux

Jade LaDeaux shot the low score on the day and took first with a round of 97 at Trestle Creek Golf Course.

LaDeaux takes first in St. Regis tourney

ST. REGIS – Sanders County golfers made the trip to Mineral County to compete at Trestle Creek Golf Course in St. Regis last week.

Officials urge caution through fire season

SANDERS COUNTY – May is Wildfire Awareness Month in Montana and with the warm sunny days of summer right around the corner for communities across the state, including those in Sanders County, it is time to get ready for fire season.

Far wing of GOP denies jobs and axes fixes

Bill struck down to fix infrastructure

Aiding and abetting

Article 4 Section 4 of the Constitution you three swore oaths to protect and defend includes this - “The United States ... shall protect each of them [ie, each state] against invasion...”

Reflecting on the work of rural affairs group

Response to letter

Last week on this page Ken Matthiesen wrote that certain Republican legislators are and were irresponsible.

Young Republicans need to stand up

Board of control challenges compact

Ready to retire?

By ALANA LISTOE

Stobie family

The Stobie family stands around the ranch, which is located up Thompson River.

Original Stobies

The first Stobies, Joseph and Lucinda, to settle on Stobie Ranch.

Vic and Anna

Anna Stobie stands with her new husband Hugo Victor French.

Jase and Katie

Robin Miller’s son, Jase Miller stands with his new bride Katie Petteys. Though Petteys is not a Stobie descendant, Miller is and together they decided to get married at the ranch.

Katie Pettey's wedding

Katie Petteys steps into the original outhouse at the Stobie Ranch. The ranch does not have electricity or running water.

Four brides

From left to right, Peg McCarthy, Ruby Stobie, Robin Miller and Katie Petteys stand together at the Stobie Ranch. Thefour are the remaining brides who have all been wed at the Stobie Ranch.

A tradition of being wed at a family heritage site

SANDERS COUNTY - Today, the Stobie Ranch, which holds a special significance for the Stobie family and a lot of Sanders County residents, has a very exceptional history, including horse thievery and a lineage of brides who were wed there. And that wide array of history all leads to one individual, Robin Miller of Hot Springs.

Bear regulations released

SANDERS COUNTY – With black bear season well underway in Sanders County, spring black bear hunters are urged by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to follow key regulations throughout the hunting season.

Concert

On stage, Paul Rosenthal (left) and Doris Stevensen (right) finish performing a set of classical violin and piano compositions.

Two world class musicians give humble performance

PLAINS - Monday evening, visitors of the Plains United Methodist Church were given a very special treat for a very small price. A classical duo, violinist Paul Rosenthal and pianist Doris Stevenson performed for an hour in front of the visitors who filled the pews of the church.

Fair Board holds emergency meeting

PLAINS – The Sanders County Fair Board assembled for an emergency session last week at the county fairgrounds in Plains.

Overturned apple semi

An overturned tractor trailer carrying a load of apples rests in a ditch along Highway 200 near mile marker 87.

Semi trailer overturns, spills apples on Highway 200

SANDERS COUNTY - Tuesday morning, a tractor trailer hauling approximately 15 tons of Washington Apples ran off Highway 200 near mile marker 87. After running off the road the tractor trailer fell onto its side, popping the top off the top of the trailor, spilling out boxes of apples.

Officials address rash of crime

NOXON - Thursday night in the Noxon School multipurpose room, the second Sanders County “Building A Safer Community” meeting took place. As previously reported, these meetings are being held to determine ways to confront the wave of crime that has been felt in the western portion of the county. The focus of the meeting was for Sanders County Sheriff Tom Rummel, Undersheriff Lanny Hensley and Sanders County Commissioner Tony Cox to provide a report on the progress towards thwarting the crime spree in the county and to hear public opinion and comment.

A misnomer exists

Misnomer exists that ‘conservatives’ are the group threatening control and fascist policies... when in fact it is progressive policy and thinking that promotes regulation of movement, action, and thinking towards a narrow politically correct scope.

Pesticide linked to depression in farmers

Pesticide Use and Depression in Farmers

Representatives listen to the people of Montana

Montanans love to talk about how special our state is. For those from some place other than Montana, you may think that we mean our beautiful mountains, the vast golden prairies, and incredible blue sky that never seems to end. And you would be right - we do mean that. But what really makes Montana special is the people.

Bighorn sheep herd at risk

SANDERS COUNTY – A low number of bighorn sheep and concerns about the health of the hunting district’s herd has prompted an emergency closure of bighorn sheep Hunting District 122 near Plains.

Live Chess Game

Ethan Brown (center) stands as a pawn during last week's chess game in Thompson Falls.

Thompson Falls students play large chess game

THOMPSON FALLS - The Thompson Falls Elementary and Junior High School gymnasium was turned into a giant chess board last Thursday for the last game of a school chess tournament.

Seventh Annual Fireman's Ball

Jaime Ramos (left) and Wade Rehbein (right) look at auction items during last weekend's Fireman's Ball.

Fireman's Ball held at Plains VFW

PLAINS – Last Saturday night was the 7th Annual Fireman’s Ball, which was held in the VFW banquet hall. Chairs and tables filled the entire hall. In front of the tables and chairs there was a large line of auction items that were going to be auctioned off after the dinner.

Earth Day

Jane Rosler stands with a bag of trash found in a stream during the clean up.

Branding Day

Ryan Ovitt, Mike Holland and Dallas Deardorff work together to brand a calf, last Saturday, at the Holland Ranch.

Hot Springs students celebrate Earth Day

HOT SPRINGS - In celebration of Earth Day, which started in 1970, the students of Hot Springs School tackled a very big project in their own community to help the environment, venturing out into the streets and alleyways of Hot Springs to clean up any detritus.

Branding Day at local ranch

PLAINS - As the sun was still rising over John Holland’s ranch Saturday morning, friends, family and cattle hands were already congregating around the pens to discuss the upcoming days events. It was branding day at the ranch, and for years it has been a day of hard-work and the gathering of friends and family for fun.

Bison range preps for summer season

DIXON- In the eastern portion of Sanders County on the border with neighboring Lake County the National Bison Range is prepping for the busy summer season ahead.

Noxon High School holds prom in Trout Creek

From left to right, Noxon prom king Grant Fitchett, and prom queen Trysta Wood stand with prom princess Carena Schuellner and prom prince Ray Philpott.