Ellington

County official disputes claims regarding strike

Mineral County employees went on strike on Memorial Day. They have been unable to reach an agreement regarding salary with county commissioners. (Photo by Kathleen Woodford)

Press release issued by Mineral County commissioners' office

May 31, 2016

Prominent Montana authors visit local library with rough and tumble tales

The Mineral County Public Library in Superior held a “Meet and Greet” with two Montana authors on Friday. They were Russell Rowland, a Billings author who just released the book “Fifty-Six Counties: A Montana Journey,” along with Superior author, Mike Lapinski, who released “Damaged Goods.”

Madison Hill of St. Regis earns top honors at State

Madison Hill, a junior at St. Regis, took top honors in the long jump at the Class C State Track and Field meet in Missoula on Friday with 16-8.25. She was trailed by Claire Fickler from Drummond with 16-06.75. Ember Schwindt from Cascade took third with 16.05.75, followed by Carly Hergett of Arlee in fourth with 16-05.25.

Court Report May 20-27

Mineral County Justice Court

Huge crowds travel far for market

Thousands of people descended on the tiny town of St. Regis over Memorial weekend to attend the “Montana’s largest garage sale,” according to the event flyers. This was the 40th Annual Memorial Day Flea Market and cars and trucks from Montana, Washington, and Idaho lined the roads and packed local parking lots.

3 candidates vying for House District in primary

Primary elections will take place on June 7.

Honors and awards celebrated at annual banquet

St. Regis Business Professional of America (BPA) and Future Farmers of America (FFA) held their annual member, parent and community banquet on May 20 in the St. Regis gym. There were 16 BPA members this year, and 42 FFA members.

Graduating seniors review yearlong projects

Eight Alberton students graduated on Sunday, May 28 at 2 p.m.

Public comment sought for federal forest programs

The Lolo and Bitterroot National Forests are preparing to modify their Forest Plan’s monitoring programs to transition to the requirements of the 2012 National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule.

Alberton school to install new playground equipment

Two Alberton parents, Jenn Zimmerman and Lisa Thiele, started a large project last year, to raise $60,000 for new playground equipment for the school. Last week, the final $15,000 check for the project was delivered to the school. Washington Foundation representatives Jim Bieber and Brittney Gardner, met with the school’s principal, Kyle Fisher, and superintendent, Clay Acker, to present the check. The Washington Foundation also contributed $10,000 toward the project last year.

Community Notes

Mineral County Relay for Life is holding their annual “Lunch in the Lot” fundraiser on Wednesday, June 8 next to the Trail West Bank in Superior from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Enjoy hamburgers, taco salad, nachoes, cookies, pies, lemonade and ice tea. Call Peggy at 822-0922 for more information. Relay for Life is a part of the American Cancer Society.

Massages and cheesecake brings school year to an end in St. Regis

Several staff members at St. Regis School received special treatment a couple of weeks ago as the result of a competition. The competition lasted all week, and teams of six to seven members were challenged to do good deeds for members of the other teams, explained the school principal, Joe Steele.

Four decades of teaching outdoor skills

For over four decades, sixth graders from area schools head to Savenac for Outdoor Education, and this year was no exception for students from Superior. They arrived at camp last Monday, for a week of fun and educational outdoor activities.

Strike starts on Memorial Day

Mineral County Deputies, Dispatch and Detention employees went on Strike on Memorial Day, and have unanimously rejected the only offer from the County.

School sign gets a face lift

Alberton School's shop class painted and restored the school's sign last week.

The 'force' is strong at St. Regis family night

In a galaxy far, far, away a school held a family STEAM night.

Veterans honored at Retired Senior and Volunteer Program event

The Superior Color Guard salutes veterans during a luncheon on Armed Forces Day. The luncheon was put on by the Retired Senior and Volunteer Program in Superior.

Technology levy defeated

On May 18, residents in St. Regis voted down the request for a $49,000 dollar per year Technology Levy for the school. The levy was defeated 98 to 129 votes. The levy would have been used to purchase, rent, repair, and maintain technology equipment. Including computers, computer network access, cloud computing services, platform, software, network, storage, security, data, database, curriculum, and more.

Students recognized for local radon project

Superior students Mary Donally, Nathan Lapinski, and Aaron Kelly placed third on their presentation about the radon mitigation conducted within the school at the Clean Air and Healthy Homes competition held on May 17 in Missoula.

Court Report May 13 - 20

 Bond Forfeited

Music concert season ends on good note

St. Regis students perform during a Pops Concert held Saturday evening in the school gym, accompanied by music teacher, Derek Larson. The evening included a prime-rib dinner.

Mineral Community Hospital hosts health fair

Patient services for Mineral Community Hospital, Monte Turner, draws names for prizes at a health fair held on Saturday in Superior. He was assisted by Superior students Sammi and Kyler, and Mitzi Francis.

Community Notes

CAR SHOW SET TO HIT STREETS

Superior graduates received over $54,000 in scholarships

The Superior High School graduating class of 2016.

MCH's Team Grassy to the rescue

Mineral Community Hospital maybe able to fix broken bones, but when it comes to lawn mowers, that’s another matter. Their lawn mower came down with a bad case of ‘frozen front axle’ and because of it’s age, parts have been difficult to retrieve, according to MCH, Monte Turner.

Busy summer ahead for area Forest Service crews

Forest Service agencies are gearing up for a busy summer with a number of projects in the works. Nate Kegel, and Carole Johnson with the Superior Ranger District met on separate occasions, with County Commissioners regarding the status of several projects in the Superior Ranger District. There was also a community meeting with the Ninemile Ranger District regarding updates on the Soldier Butler fuels reduction project, as well as other projects in the area.

New water system proposed for Alberton

The town of Alberton maybe getting a new water system if funding becomes available.

St. Regis students honored at business conference

It was an event of firsts for Montana at the 2016 National Business Professionals of America Leadership Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. Over 5,500 students from 23 state association attended. The Montana’s delegation represented 58 secondary chapters and two post-secondary chapters with a total Montana Association representation of 369 registered members, advisors, and guests.

Competing interests, different opinions

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality held two meetings last week regarding projects dealing with Mineral County’s natural resources. One was about the Flat Creek Iron Mountain, Mine and Mill Superfund site at Superior. The other was an application for an Opencut Mining Permit on Dry Creek for gravel, submitted by Riverside Contracting.

Superior students 'let loose'

Allan Ryan’s butterfly seems too attached to leave, as his class released butterflies a few weeks ago in Superior.

Residents donate 200 pounds of groceries for food bank

Last week Superior postal carriers did more than deliver mail, they also picked up food. It was the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

Community Notes

‘Meet and Greet’

Superior, St. Regis gain event wins at District meet

Superior vaulter Emma Duboise placed first in pole vault during the district track meet in Polson on Thursday

Minerl County Court Report May 6 - May 12, 2016

Bond Forfeited

Backroads' Alberton resident to be featured in upcoming PBS episode

Alberton resident Rae Deschamps walks off the football field with PBS producer Gus Chambers. Deschamps will be featured in Montana PBS’ “Backroads of Montana” on May 23 at 8 p.m.

Residents petition to re-open CyrIron Mountain Road

Several concerned residents attended the Mineral County Commissioners meeting on Friday, May 13, regarding the closure of the CyrIron Mountain Road located east of Superior.

Homeowner hazard assessments could save homes in wildfires

Frenchtown Fire spokesman, Mel Holtz (center), talk with homeowner Paul Mason (left) and Forest Service training manager Chris Johnson about homeowner hazard assessments last week in the Ponderosa subdivision, east of Alberton.

Wyatt Zylawy second family member in the Congressional Record

In April, Wyatt Zylawy was recognized by Montana Senator Steve Daines for his outstanding achievements in his recent Coast Guard training. Through Daines “Montanan of the Week” initiatives, the Senator recognizes an individual in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress.

Art Mobile makes stop in Alberton

Art Mobile Teacher Shelby Johnson and Missoula artist Courtney Gleeson show students an illustration by Gleeson of the Donnor Party last Tuesday at Alberton School

Superior students 'take to the skies'

Lorayna Pittsley, of Superior, learns about planes from pilot Ray Aten, during flights for young pilots on May 7, at the Superior Airport.

Mineral County Health & Safety Education Day a big success

Second-graders from Superior dress up to participate in the fun run held in Alberton on May 11.

Bernie Sanders appeals to Native Americans, grassroots momentum at campaign rally

Alberton school third graders Suji Bay, Eleanor Nichols, and Georgia Fredette, along with Kavita Bay, waited in line for two hours to attend the rally. “It’s history in the making,” said Kavita

Mineral County court report

Town Court of Superior

RSVP to host Armed Forces Day celebration in Superior on May 21

There are over 800 veterans in Mineral County, and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) would like to honor them during Armed Forces Week on May 21.

Community events

Ninemile Ranger District to Host Community Meeting on May 17

Clark Fork Mountain Cats hire a new volleyball coach

Clark Fork Mountain Cats new head volleyball coach, Toni Labbe.

Clark Fork Mountain Cats hire a new head volleyball coach

Toni Labbe is the new head volleyball coach for the Clark Fork Mountain Cats.

Big crowd attends Little League Ceremonies

Chris Ray is the vice president of Little League this year. He’s also coaching for one of the teams.

Superior resident fights cancer with holistic approach

Kathie Barker cooks meals at the Superior Senior Center every Wednesday. She was diagnosed with inoperable cancer in January and decided to fight the disease with a holistic approach, and she hopes she’s winning. A fundraiser is being held to help with expenses on May 14 in Superior.

'Take-Back Day' nets 25 pounds of prescription drugs

Whether accidental, or intentional abuse, opioids are a real health concern.

Officials finalize plans for Growth Policy update

Mineral County officials are close to finalizing plans to update the Growth Policy by the beginning of next month.

Open gravel pit draws residents' opposition at meeting

Follow-up

Truck spills 44,000 pounds of chickpeas

Last Thursday a truck driver tried to miss a herd of elk and wrecked his truck, which overturned and spilled 44,000 pounds of garbanzo beans along Interstate 90. The early morning accident occurred west of St. Regis, near mile marker 26.

Voters elect new board member

Voters in Tuesday’s election returned one St. Regis trustee and added a new member.

Chris Borntreger

Auctioneer Chris Borntreger points to a bidder during the fundraiser last Friday.

Ken Jones

Ken Jones, the cemetery 'sexton' in Plains, stands near an above-ground irrigation system he says is inefficient.

Playin' in the flowers

Hunter and Ellianna O'Brien play with tags after the delivery.

Flower Kid

Ellianna O'Brien peeks over some flowers.

Residents pitch in to help unload truck

Still walkin' after all these years

Gerald and Doris Larson walk down Railroad Ave. last Thursday.

Lovebirds take daily walks

Rain, cooler temperatures dampen sports last week

It was a quiet week for sports, as rain and cooler temperatures followed our young athletes around the region. Here are a few tennis, baseball and track scores:

April 27 court report

Court was held in Mineral County on April 27 with Judge Karen Townsend presiding. During the session:

Music students advance to State in Helena

Music Districts were held at Sentinel High School in Missoula on April 15. Several Mineral County students received awards from the event. Alberton music teacher, Mike Wolfe, said that the high school band received a superior rating of 1, for sight reading and an excellent rating of 2, for performance.

Parents and staff meet new principal of St. Regis School

The new St. Regis School principal, Shaun Ball, visits with the current principal, Joe Steele (center), and parent, Mark Farris (right) at a reception held on Friday, April 22.

The new game in town

Three-year-old Lottie DiGiando peers over a mat as part of a tumbling exercise for gymnastics at St. Regis School with instructor Amy Farris.

New game in town

Dominic Mancini, 3, gives the practice beam a try at gymnastics in the St. Regis School gym.

Legislation introduced for tax savings for FFA, 4-H student projects

The Montana Farm Bureau is urging Congressional support for S. 2774, the Agriculture Student EARN Act. The Act, introduced by Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), would make the first $5,000 of income earned by students completing 4-H or FFA agricultural projects tax free. Farm Bureau also supports companion legislation introduced in the House by Representatives Michael McCaul (R-Texas), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and Michael Conaway (R-Texas). That bill is H.R. 3255, the Student Agriculture Protection Act of 2015.

Chad Eichenlaub named New Teacher of Year

St. Regis School's Chad Eichenlaub was named the 2016 Association for Career & Technical Education Region V, "New Teacher of the Year" during the 2016 ACTE Region V Awards Presentation in April.  

Community Notes May 4, 2016

Fundraiser

Trax bar in Alberton is under new management

When Dave Hurliman moved to Alberton from Ninemile, he would frequent the bars in town. Little did he know that nine years later, he would own one of them.

One million dollars on the table for Forest Service projects

Culvert installation along a haul route for the Firecracker Annie project in Mineral County. The road work was awarded to two local contractors using Forests In Focus grant funds

Air ambulance charges can reach $100,000

Emergency response in rural areas raises the question: How much is a life worth?

Busy bees sweeten local economy

In the spring, brightly colored boxes of bees begin to show up in fields along Interstate 90 in Mineral County.