Ellington

Ninemile District Ranger Phelps steps down

U.S. Forest Service Ranger for the Ninemile District, Erin Phelps, stepped down from her position in July. She moved back to Idaho to be closer to family. Ann Hadlow has been temporarily promoted to District Ranger until the position can be permanently filled, said Sara Mayben, Acting Forest Supervisor for the Lolo National Forest.

President's words at European Summit 'horrifying'

[Editor’s note: This letter was edited for content.]

Plains from 'critical eye of a stranger'

An Open Letter to the Town Council:

Artists in Paradise featured during Paradise Center open house

{Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of articles about depictions of Paradise history and the future of the arts in the community.}

Hurry to get your huckleberries

Huckleberry season is once again upon us, and with the weather coming just right they are ready to pick, if you can find them.

Sanders County runners take on Missoula Marathon

Numerous current and former residents of Sanders County converged on to the Missoula Marathon recently, and a few runners took some top placings.

Plains Family Medicine welcomes new provider

Plains Family Medicine is welcoming another new provider to town with Dr. Drue Webb joining the team in just a few weeks.

Fair Board prepares for Aug. 30-Sept. 2 event

The Sanders County Fair Board recently met for its monthly meeting ahead of the 2018 Sanders County Fair, and they are well on their way to make this year’s event bigger and better.

Chicken Jamboree takes over Thompson Falls

Thompson Falls played host to the annual Chicken Jamboree under a warm summer’s day last Saturday.

Community Notes

An intimate evening with country music star John King will be held on Aug. 15 from 6 to 10:30 pm at the Alberton Gorge Ranch. Tickets are available at albertonrailroadday.com and proceeds benefit the Alberton Farm to School Program.

Jackpot Barrels add to Family Fun Night at fair

Jackpot Barrels will bring some extra cash winnings to lucky riders on Thursday, Aug. 2 during the start of the Mineral County Fair in Superior. The event will be held on Family Night, and riders can test their skills in three different skill divisions from beginners to expert riders.

Healthy Communities Coalition wins $200,000 grant

When the Mineral County Healthy Communities Coalition (HCC) restructured itself a few years ago, members had no idea the impact this organization would have on the county and its residents. Now, members are seeing a huge growth in the programs it offers, as well as some very positive outcomes.

Mineral County court report

July 16, Scott Lawrence Cohan, speeding

St. Regis long-arm quilter featured at Cabin Fever Show

Every year, the Cabin Fever Quilt Guild holds their show in Superior during the Mineral County Fair. The show is right next to the county fairgrounds in Superior High School, where the halls and multipurpose room are lined with hundreds of colorful and beautifully made quilts.

Horsewomen 'Peel-the-Apple' at the fair

From April until August, a group of women mount their horses and practice a bevy of maneuvers weekly in order to put on a special show once a year. he show is the Mineral County Fair, and the women belong to the horse drill team called the Skyline Drifters.

Alberton Railroad Day celebrates town's history

Every third Saturday of July since 1985 the town of Alberton has hosted Railroad Day. A day which celebrates the railroad history of town and this year’s festival did not disappoint. With near perfect weather hovering in the 80’s, crowds of people started the day with a pancake breakfast, followed by a parade, an old fashioned shootout at the Sportsman’s Bar, kid activities, music and more.

Preliminary county budget meetings begin

Mineral County Commissioners held preliminary budget hearings on July 13 as a first step for this upcoming fiscal year. Department heads from all of the offices, including maintenance, justice court, planning and health, the library, sheriff’s office and dispatch, and clerk and recorder scheduled time to meet and discuss their needs for this upcoming year with commissioners and financial officer Jessica Connelly.

Superior Meats awarded Community Development Block Grant

HELENA, Mont. – The Department of Commerce announced on July 12 that it will award $629,892 in federal funds for three community development projects.

Sleepless in Alberton

Two large bull elk made their way down Railroad Avenue in Alberton early Saturday morning as residents slept. The sun just started to peek over the mountains as they wandered through town and munched on some grass before disappearing in between houses and back up the hill north of town.

This date in Mineral County history

Passport in Time New and old memories merge during program

It was the 23rd annual Passport in Time Project at the Savenac Historical Tree Nursery located at Haugan during the weekend of July 13-15. During that time, more than 30 volunteers showed up from all over the United States to paint, build and landscape the area.

Emergency Planning Committee meets, adds several new members

Familiar faces with new titles were seen at the monthly Local Emergency Planning Committee meeting on July 12. Donna Richter has been named the new assistant fire chief. She is joining current Superior Fire Department Chief Steve Temple. Temple took over as fire chief from Rob Torrey earlier this year after Torrey stepped down from the position.

Superior Meats to use CDBG loan to expand business

At Superior Meats, an entire pig sits prepped and ready on a stainless steel table in the back room. Waiting to be roasted and become the celebrated main course at an upcoming wedding reception. Next to the table, employee Russell Anderson throws hams into a tumbler. The hams had just been infused with brine in a machine where they are taken by a conveyor belt to an infusion device. A device which has several long prongs that pierce the meat and fills it with brine.

Mineral County Justice Court

July 12, Dane Justin Kenmille, no insurance, fictitious license plates and driving with suspended license

Community Notes

With temps in the 90s forest service officials have raised the Fire Danger Rating to high, meaning any fire start has a high chance of quickly becoming widespread. They have closed Outdoor Burning by Permit. All burn permits for yard debris, agriculture and wildland burning are now invalid. Campfires are still allowed in proper fire rings.

Sanders County recycling with Kathy Conlin

This is a subject many of us know very little about, but we can take advantage of learning opportunities! MSU Extension is offering a Lunch & Learn Home Composting Session by Master Gardener Charlotte Beaudry on Monday, July 30 from noon to 1 p.m.

Huckleberry Festival gets logo for 2018

Each year, Trout Creek’s annual Huckleberry Festival goes on the hunt for a new logo; one created by a Sanders County local that encompasses the spirit of the festival.

Daines says Senate Farm Bill helps timber industry

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines is looking to help stimulate Montana’s timber industry with several proposed amendments to the Senate Farm Bill. The bill, which passed out of the Senate Agriculture Committee (on which Daines sits) on a 20 to 1 vote, passed the Senate.

Did you know . . .

Did you know in the paper for July 20, 1933, there was lots of local news, including a proposed hospital for Hot Springs?

Montana Aussie Adventures with Erin-Jay

It’s beginning to heat up in Sanders County, and I am starting to notice not only more people down the banks of the Clark Fork River but also a few people taking advantage of beginning to float the river.

Ronald Stortz Jr.

Ronald Stortz Jr. passed away suddenly on July 8, 2018, at age 51.

Vernon Greene

Vernon F. Greene, 84, of Silverton, Ore., passed on Friday, July 6, 2018.

Sheila Stephens

Sheila Stephens, 56, of Santa Maria, Calif., passed away on May 28, 2018, in Santa Maria, Calif.

Plains Lions Club makes benches for kids' pool

Plains Lions Club member Marvin Tanner loaded eight hours of love into building some benches for moms and dads to enjoy while at the kids pool in Plains.

Pool prices, budget topics during Plains Town Meeting

There were plenty of agenda items at last week’s Plains Town Meeting, with some updates, including the water leaks that appear to be getting better.

Montana Aussie Adventures with Erin-Jay

White sandy beaches, tropical sunshine with magnificent views and, of course, the almighty Daintree; Queensland is known as the sunshine state back home and there are more than just a few reasons as to why.

Three wrecks, two fatalities in Sanders County

Thursday evening began a weekend of horror crashes in Sanders County as a single-vehicle wreck occurred along Highway 200 just outside of Plains.

Summer Swim Meet returns to Plains

Hundreds of swimmers once again flocked to the Plains pool as the local Piranhas swim team hosted their annual meet.

Pilgeram Ranch marks 100 years

William Pilgeram, along with his two brothers, migrated from Germany nearly 100 years ago. Now, his descendants are celebrating the longevity of the Pilgeram Ranch near Plains.

Slip, Slop, Slap keys for safe summer

It may have taken a little longer this year, but it seems as though summer has finally arrived — with warmer temperatures taking hold of Sanders County last week.

Sanders County celebrates July 4

Independence Day 2018 was a county-wide party as locals converged on a number of events to celebrate the birthday of this great nation.

Legals July 11, 2018

NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Proposed Health Insurance Rates for 2019 The Commissioner of Securities and Insurance will receive public comment regarding recently filed rates by Montana health insurers. The comment period provides the public the opportunity to participate in government by expressing any comments that the public may have regarding the proposed 2019 rate changes for health insurance. Information on the proposed 2019 Montana Health Insurance rates can be found on the CSI website, www.csimt.gov. Comments can be emailed to csipubliccomment@mt.gov or by letter/hand-delivery to 840 Helena Ave, Helena, MT 59602 through July 27, 2018. The rate review process established by the Montana Legislature in 2013 authorizes the office of the Insurance Commissioner to review health insurance rates. If the Commissioner finds a rate increase to be excessive, inadequate, unfairly discriminatory, or unjustified, the insurer may voluntarily amend the rate increase. If the insurer maintains the initially filed rate over the Commissioner's recommendation for adjustment, the Commissioner will issue a public finding announcing the deficiency and the reasons why the rates are unsatisfactory. Published in the Clark Fork Valley Press on July 11, 2018. MNAXLP

FWP to stock 432,000 trout in area lakes and ponds

Despite heavy budget cuts in the Fisheries Division of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP), Mineral and Sanders counties will still see lakes and ponds stocked with approximately 432,000 fish over the next five years. Fish, Wildlife and Parks owns or operates 12 fish hatcheries and stocks 50 million fish in 836 lakes and reservoirs, and 23 rivers and streams annually.

Firework burns embankment near Superior's Memorial Bridge

Fireworks continued to shoot into the air as approximately a dozen members from the Superior Volunteer Fire Department fought to put out a July 4 grass fire in Superior. The call came into Mineral County dispatch around 11 p.m., where Superior Fire Chief Steve Temple and volunteer Calvin Berry arrived at the scene.

Hospital welcomes McNeese as interim CEO

Mineral Community Hospital welcomed interim Chief Executive Officer Steve McNeese to their team last week.

Community Notes

Are you ready for the Mineral County “Smokin’ Hot” Fair? It is just around the corner!

Fourth of July was a 'blast' in St. Regis

Fourth of July festivities were in full swing — thanks to the support of the St. Regis Community Council. Events started with a free pancake breakfast at the St. Regis School cafeteria Wednesday morning. It was followed by a parade at 11 a.m. Grand Marshal Rick Jasper led a caravan of horses, ATVs, bikes and various other floats down Old Highway 10. Mineral County sheriff and deputies directed traffic at the intersection as vehicles turned off Interstate 90 to find themselves in the middle of it all.

Mineral County Court Report

July 3, Alexander David Ammons, speeding

Candidate: I-185 initiative deserves your support

I-185, the Healthy Montana Initiative, was submitted statewide to all Montana counties’ Clerk & Recorders Offices on Friday, June 22, 2018, with more than 42,000 signatures, and those signatures are now in the process of being verified. Since only 25,468 signatures were needed with a sufficient number from each of a minimum of 34 house districts, it is very likely that the initiative will be accepted and then placed on this fall’s ballot at the general election.

District Ranger Johnson and West Zone Team recognized for work

The second annual Montana Counties Forest Summit was held in early May, where two awards were presented to Mineral County nominees. One went to Superior District Ranger Carole Johnson, and the other to the West Zone NEPA Team.

Fourth of July 'is a blast'

July 4 is an American favorite holiday, full of family gatherings, barbecue dinners, apple pie and fireworks, lots and lots of fireworks.

Busy bee

Mineral County to receive over $720,000 in PILT payments

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester announced on June 27 that Montana counties will receive $40 million in Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) for 2018.

Superior home gets a new paint job, thanks to local volunteers

Last week around 20 people showed up at an old house for a party in Superior. But this was no ordinary party, it was actually a painting party arranged by the United Methodist Women’s group. They decided to start an annual mission project to paint a house a year in Superior.

This date in history

Redd Bull project tour held prior to scoping

The American Forest Resource Council along with the Idaho Forest Group hosted a tour of the Redd Bull project on June 29.

Beloved mail carrier retires after 40 years

More than 50 people gathered at the Mineral County Fairgrounds 4-H Building to wish Frances Higgs farewell at her retirement party on Saturday in Superior. After 40 years of delivering mail in and around Superior, Frances has decided to hang up her United States Postal Service mail bag. She just turned 80 years old, and works by a contract that is renewed every six years. If she were to renew it, she would be working until she was 86, said Superior Postmaster Liz Asay.

Bumper crop: Morel mushroom picking season ending

Alongside Quartz Creek Road at the Tarkio exit, a small table covered by a white canopy was set up next to a refrigerated truck. A sign with purple and pink letters reads, “Mushroom Buyer Jessica.” Jessica Cruz, along with her sons Timo, 16, and Lucas, 11, and her Asian partner simply referred to as “Q,” sit in lawn chairs - waiting for pickers to show up with baskets full of morel mushrooms.

Community Notes

St. Regis will hold its All-Class Reunion on July 21 with a Saturday potluck starting at 11 a.m. in the community park. There will also be a breakfast on Sunday at 9 a.m. at the St. Regis School. Volunteers are needed. Call Ron Forest at (406) 678-4255.

Mineral County Justice Court

June 26, Bart William Aby, violation in a construction zone