Ellington

Martin Luther King, Jr. honored in Mineral County schools

Mineral County students honored Martin Luther King, Jr. over the past couple of weeks with projects and reports. Not just to honor his memory, but also to honor the principles for which he was an advocate. January 18 was MLK Day, and Alberton and St. Regis schools took it as a holiday, although Superior held classes.

School reading program starts up in February

“I Love to Read Month” is an event that usually takes place in February, where students will read to be the top reader of their class. This event starts on February 1, 2016. “I Love to Read Month” always has a theme, which this year is “Pirates.” This event is ran by Carole Carlstrom and Connie Acker, the librarians at Alberton School. Students absolutely love this fun event.

Mountain Cat boys bag Prospectors

The Mountain Cats took an early lead against Philipsburg’s Granite Prospectors game in Alberton on Thursday night. They only held a two point lead at the end of the first quarter, but that jumped to ten points by the end of the third quarter at 27-17. In the fourth quarter, Aaron Kelly went into overdrive and put eight of his 19 total points on the board, leading the Cats to a 46-32 win.

St. Regis girls, boys take on Charlo, Lincoln

The St. Regis basketball teams challenged the Charlo Vikings in St. Regis on Friday night. The boys managed to hold a close score in the first half of the game, with Charlo leading by one point. But the second half of the game was a different story, as the Vikings charged ahead in the third quarter putting 30 points on the board compared to the Tiger’s 12. The same story held true in the fourth quarter, as the Vikings put up another 17 points to the Tiger’s 7, leading the team to a win with 71-42. Trevor Lowry lead the Tigers in points with 18.

Lady Mountain Cats lose two, boys split on weekend

The Mountain Cats took an early lead against Philipsburg’s Granite Prospectors game in Alberton on Thursday night. They only held a two point lead at the end of the first quarter, but that jumped to ten points by the end of the third quarter at 27-17. In the fourth quarter, Aaron Kelly went into overdrive and put eight of his 19 total points on the board, leading the Cats to a 46-32 win.

St. Regis girls triumph over Lincoln

St. Regis basketball traveled to Lincoln on Saturday for a game against the Lynx. The boys kept a fairly tight score in the first half of the game, with a five point spread in the first quarter, and an eight point spread in the second quarter. Giving the Lynx a 13 point lead at the half with 38-25.

Gas prices continue to stay low across the state

There has been a big collapse in the price of oil, from more than $100 a barrel in 2014 to just under $30 a barrel this week. According to industry analyst Trilby Lundberg, it’s the lowest it’s been in seven years.

Court Report

Mineral Independent

Next Exit History mobile app unveiled

The Mineral County Historical Society announced the completion of a major digital initiative to promote tourism and economic development in Mineral County a couple of weeks ago called Next Exit History mobile app. They celebrated the event by holding a reception and unveiling of the project to the public on January 21.

Plains resident encourages pregnancy awareness

Bank

Bank drive-thru renovations complete

PLAINS – Rocky Mountain Bank in Plains just completed renovations to their drive-thru area, improving the quality of service customers receive when they use it.

Thompson Falls Chamber reviews holiday scavenger hunt

Plains listed among cheapest areas for renter's insurance

Terrie Woods

Residents defend life in nationwide March

Light snow pack expected to continue drought conditions

Birth Announcement - Lazlo Isaiah Tanasse

Bullying

Thompson Falls students spread anti-bullying message

Hot Springs: 45 Two Eagle: 73; Hot Springs: 10 Arlee: 65

Thompson Falls: 49 Libby: 57

Plains: 49 Charlo: 29

Bluehawks v Horsemen

Bluehawks: 69 Horsemen: 38

Plains v TFalls

Plains comes out on top against Thompson

Wrestling

Cody Garrison grapples his opponent as he tries to force him to the ground during his first round match in the Ted Kato Tournament.

County wrestlers place in Ted Kato Tournament

Hot Springs: 78 Two Eagle: 42; Hot Springs: 55 Arlee: 74

Bobcat Wrestlers in Florence and Missoula last week

Health Communities Coalition meeting held

O-Mok-See fun for the entire family

The River Valley Saddle Club (RVSC) held their end-of-the-year awards potluck in Superior on January 10. This is where Alberton resident, Amanda Hansen, and her mother Tammy Stedman, received the RVSC High Points award for 2015;  Hansen for her age group which was 16 to 30 and Stedman age 42 plus.

New phone app promotes Mineral County tourism

Clark Fork teams defeat Darby, split with Valley Christian

St. Regis girls win big

Mineral County students succeed at regional competition

Skiers trigger avalanche near Lookout

Icy roads cause school delays

Icy roads played havoc with drivers last Wednesday, including school bus drivers. Both Alberton and Superior called for a two-hour delay on starting their school day in order to deal with the poor road conditions.

Local Emergency Planning Committee gears up for emergencies

The Mineral County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) met for their monthly meeting on January 7. Tim Read, Mineral County Planner and Retired Superior Fire Chief John Woodland presented a slide show to the group regarding the freezing rain and icy roads that occurred on December 4 which resulted in closing I-90. The highway was closed for several hours, and stranded about 200 trucks in the County. The group discussed the event and came up with suggestions and strategies that would help deal with similar emergencies in the future. 

LEPC formed as result of Bhpal India disaster

The LEPC was formed in 2001 in response to the federal Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) in 1986. Title III of SARA, also known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). 

DOE Seeks public comment on Flat Creek-Iron Mountain Mine

History of the Flat Creek-Iron Mountain Mine

Health concerns related to the Flat Creek-Iron Mountain Mine

Bluehawks

Bluehawks: 57, Bigfork: 61; Bluehawks: 44, Whitefish: 48

First baby of 2016 arrives at CFVH

New Years Baby

Savage Heat

Savage Heat trump Tigers in home court duel

HOT SPRINGS – The Hot Springs boys basketball team claimed a strong victory against the St. Regis Tigers during their Thursday home game.

Hot Springs: 67, St. Regis: 85

Hot Springs Girls

Lady Hawks

Lady Hawks: 52, Bigfork: 85; Lady Hawks: 48, Whitefish: 63

THOMPSON FALLS – In the Lady Hawks’ games last week, against Bigfork and Whitefish, the team played a strong game but factors beyond their control lead to defeats in both.

Hot Springs CoC

Hot Springs chamber seek to bring more to community

Area youths display work in ASC art show

SC Search & Rescue locates missing man

PLAINS – Recently, Sanders County Search and Rescue were dispatched to River Road East, in Plains, in search of a missing person.

Plains: 67, Noxon: 36

Plains: 86, Two Eagle: 47

PLAINS – The Horsemen came out on top with a final score of 86-47 when they travelled to Two Eagle River over the weekend.

Harter

Plains artist named People's Choice

Clark Fork Valley Hospital joins NARCO group

Plains police chase gunmen to Paradise

PLAINS – The Plains Police Department engaged in a car chase Saturday, which ended with an arrest at the Paradise Post Office.

Fire

Firefighters from Plains City Fire prepare to enter a home on Stanton Street to handle a fire in the oven.

Plains City Fire quickly handles oven fire

PLAINS – Firefighters from the Plains City Fire Department quickly extinguished a small kitchen fire on Stanton Street, in Plains, Saturday afternoon.

Destination Imagination challenges St. Regis student

After School Program gears up for the new year

The Alberton After School Program is starting the new year with some fun new activities. The program, which boosts around 15-20 kids per day between 4 and 6 p.m., will start with “Make it Monday.”  “Currently, the kids are making robots outs of ‘up-cycled’ materials with items such as boxes and cans,” said Program Supervisor, Crystal Forrider. 

MHSA awards schools for good sportsmanship

The Montana High School Association awarded both Alberton and St. Regis High School with its Sportsmanship Award.  This award is for schools who do not have any ejections of students or coaches from football or volleyball.

Ski Report for Lookout and Snowbowl

Dueling over the weekend

Superior Bobcat Wrestling continued last weekend on Jan. 8 and 9 where area teams gathered in Ronan for the Western Montana Duals tournament.

Richard Halseth

New and old faces on Alberton town council

Area teams continue into conference schedules

St. Regis challenge Two Eagle River in Pablo

The St. Regis boys gave Two Eagle River an intense challenge in a Thursday night game in Pablo. Both teams put impressive numbers on the board as the teams went head to head throughout the entire game.

14-C Basketball Standings

Standings as of January 11, 2016

Hot Springs mayor looking forward to community's future

HOT SPRINGS – Hot Springs Mayor Randy Woods has plans for the future of the community with hopes of improving the tourism draw to the area.

Drainage

Plains City Council discuss water and deer issues

Swear In

HS Council

Final payments for Hot Springs water tank approved

Plow driver works for county community's safety

Mielke

Wrestling

Thompson Falls Wrestling Results from Ronan

SANDERS COUNTY – The Sanders County wrestlers went to Hamilton, Friday, for the first day of the Ronan Duels, bringing home some good stats.

County wrestlers take on teams in Ronan

SANDERS COUNTY – The Sanders County wrestlers went to Hamilton, Friday, for the first day of the Ronan Duels, bringing home some good stats.

Fire department advises safety after wash of blazes strike Plains

Lady Hawks Bball

Lady Hawks: 42, Lady Lions: 52

THOMPSON FALLS – The Lady Hawks were just edged out of victory, last week, at their home game against the Lady Lions from Eureka.

Thompson Falls claims victory against Eureka

THOMPSON FALLS – The Thompson Falls boys brought in a strong victory against the Eureka Lions last week, with one of their first home games of 2016.

Bluehawks

Trotters/Lady Savage Heat

Plains takes on Hot Springs in county match up

HOT SPRINGS/PLAINS – The Plains Trotters came away with a decisive win after their rivalry conference game against the Hot Springs Lady Savage Heat, Saturday evening.

Horsemen/Savage Heat

Ryan Ovitt of Plains jumps to make a basket as Hot Springs' Sam Hoff waits for the rebound.

Horsemen: 52, Savage Heat: 55

“Riders In The Sky” coming to the Rex

The name “Riders In The Sky” conjures up various images in people’s minds—everything from the 1940s Vaughn Monroe hit song to Saturday matinees with Roy Rogers and Gene Autry.

Fires plague Plains area

Championship Banner

The members of the Plains track team for the last three years gather to celebrate their third state championship in a row during a Plains basketball game. The celebration also included the unveiling of the new 2015 state championship banner.

Plains Trotters unveil 2015 State Track Championship banner

PLAINS – The Plains Trotters celebrated their 2015 state track championship Saturday as they unveiled their newest championship banner to hang in the Plains High School gym, marking their third win in a row.

Quit smoking and save $2,140

Black bears have rough year

Touch to Tackle

Superior Bobcat wrestlers travel to Mission

Conference standings for Class C Districts 13 and 14

Last games of the year a disappointment for the Tigers

The St. Regis Tigers were dealt a loss to Arlee at the Dec. 22 game with a final score of 93-28.  Arlee came out strong in the first quarter with a 16-9 lead. They put up another 33 points in the second quarter, to the Tiger’s 12.  The final two quarters sealed the Tigers fate with an additional 44 points to the Tiger’s seven.  

Roaring Readers entertain MCH residents over the holidays

County Commissioners have last meeting of 2015

The last Mineral County Commissioners meeting for 2015 was held on December 31. April Quinlan and Jennifer Donovan with the Mineral County Health department presented commissioners Roman Zylawy and Laurie Johnston with information about a Local and Tribal Public Health Systems Improvement Grant. The $15,000 grant was award to Mineral County Department of Human Health and Services in Mineral County in March 2015.  

Temperatures moderate this week

Last week’s cold temperatures are going to thaw this week, with high temperatures in the 30’s and lows in the 20’s.  No precipitation for the next couple of days, But a few inches of snow is called for on Friday and Saturday.  

Mobile Vet Center to travel to Superior

New Superior resident dies in accident on I-90

Service award presented to Sharon Patterson

How low will they go?

Hot Springs family injured in Missoula accident

HOT SPRINGS – Hot Springs residents were involved in a traffic accident near the Missoula airport Tuesday night, requiring several people be taken to the hospital for injuries.

NCLB replacement looks good for area schools

SANDERS COUNTY – In late December, the No Child Left Behind Act was officially replaced with a new law; how this new law will effect the Sanders County schools, though, has yet to be seen.

Plains to see several water projects in 2016

Slater

Resident gains spiritual cleansing with river plunge

Elsie Bates

Elsie Bates of Rhineland, Mo formerly of Plains, Mt passed away on December 31 at the age of 94.  She was born to Minnie and Fred Webber in Plains, Montana in 1921.  She lived in Plains all of her life until 1998 when she moved to Rhineland, Missouri to live near her daughter. She married Earl Inman in 1940 who preceded her in death in 1977.  The surviving children and grandchildren are Wayne(Carla) Inman, Megan and Lance of Oregon, Wanda Eldringhoff and Anita of  Mo and Janice (Paul Vanderlucht) , Rochelle and Jesse of British Columbia.

Fun Run

Community welcomes the new year with winter fun run

THOMPSON FALLS – Members of the county community brought in the New Year by going for a winter run around Thompson Falls. 

Thompson Falls: 55; Troy: 31

Lady Hawks

Lindsay Laws steals the ball from Kaitlyn Downey in first quarter vs. Troy, Jan. 2.

Thompson Falls: 41; Troy: 54

THOMPSON FALLS – The Thompson Falls Lady Hawks came just short of victory, Saturday, when they went to Troy, coming away with a final score of 41-54.

New Thompson Falls mayor begins term in office with the new year

New events center brings needed service to Sanders County community

Kidnap

Cup Stack

Stacking Balls

Plains students bring in holiday break with superhero games

Crash Cans

Choir 2

Band

Choir 1

Plains Christmas rings in with elementary concert

Pajama Drive

Noxon first graders show off some of the pajamas they collected during the Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive for the Scholastic Reading Program.

Pajamas donated to bring Christmas cheer

Plains City Fire respond to trailer fire

PLAINS – Flames consumed a small trailer across the street from the Plains Veterans of Foreign Wars building, early Wednesday afternoon.

Trailer Fire

Flames erupt out of holes in a trailer near the Plains VFW as firefighters prepare hoses to combat the fire.

Fire

Firefighters from the Plains-Paradise Rural Fire Department prepare to enter a burning residence.

Emergency responders combat fire in Plains

PLAINS – Emergency responders rushed out to Burnham Lane, Tuesday morning, to fight a structure fire on the outer edges of Plains.