Friday, September 28
Nellie Snead
Nellie Jean Snead was born March 16, 1930, to Nellie and C.W. Sullivan in Delia, N.M. She passed away on Sept. 15, 2018, in Post Falls, Idaho.
Thursday, September 27
Mineral County Court Report
Sept. 10, Darren Ray Treanor, Jr., DUI, failure to stop after striking vehicle, unlawful possession of alcohol, no insurance and driving with suspended license
Montana Aussie Adventures with Erin-Jay
Is it just me or have you also noticed the refreshing change in the weather, and the fall season rolling in quickly?
Wednesday, September 26
Sanders, Lake county athletes compete at Thompson Falls Invite
The recent Thompson Falls Cross Country Invitational saw 29 schools drive into the water side golf course ahead of the meet.
Savage Heat tied for league lead; host Sheridan Friday
Going into the last three weeks of the regular season, Hot Springs finds itself in a four-way tie for first place in the Western Division of Class C 6-man football.
Noxon routs Sheridan; hosts Gardiner for Homecoming
Noxon stayed in contention for a Class C 8-man football playoff berth with a 55-14 road victory over Sheridan last Friday.
Horsemen host Mission in Homecoming game
The Plains Horsemen took to the road last Friday night against Flint Creek and suffered a 68-0 loss.
Hot Springs falls short of bracket at MC Shootout
Continuing to battle adversity caused by injuries and illness, Hot Springs came up a bit short of qualifying for bracket play Saturday in the Mineral County Shootout in Superior and St. Regis.
Good reasons to support Initiative 185
Are you or do you know someone that is currently receiving benefits from Medicaid?
Ellen Dowell
Ellen L. Dowell, 75, of Plains, Mont., died on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 2:50 a.m. at her home.
E-cigarette use reported 'on the rise' with area youth
On Sept. 11, members of the Mineral County Healthy Communities Coalition met in Alberton and discussed several issues facing county residents. One of those issues reported by Barb Jasper is the increased use of e-cigarettes by young people.
Fall Extravaganza to benefit Cancer Network of Sanders County
Once again, Cancer Network of Sanders County (CNSC) is ready for their annual Fall Extravaganza. The event is their biggest each year and raises money for CNSC with this year’s theme celebrating the “Fall Season.”
Cabinet District scheules prescribed burns
In a recent press release from the USDA Forest Service-Kootenai National Forest, locals around the Trout Creek area should be aware of the upcoming fall prescribed burning program.
Flu season just around the corner
The Mineral County Health Department warns that it’s the start of flu season again, which begins in October and November. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there were an estimated 7,935 cases of influenza in Montana last year with 16 reported in Mineral County. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Illness can range from mild to severe, and serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalization or even death.
VFW taking entries in for Patriots contest
The VFW Post No. 3596 and the Auxiliary are looking for youngsters to join in the latest national contest that is coming up.
Decision made to implement Rice Ridge Fire Salvage Project
The Lolo National Forest has announced the approval to harvest approximately 3,494 acres of the Rice Ridge Fire that burned over 160,000 acres (106,487 acres on the Lolo National Forest) last summer near Seeley Lake.
Lions Clubs 'making a world of difference'
If you go online to the Lions Clubs International website, this is what you’ll find printed on the home page:
Alberton Homecoming was a 'spirited' event
Alberton School celebrated Homecoming festivities last week with several fun activities, including their annual parade which was held on Thursday, Sept. 20. The high school band led the way followed by class floats and Homecoming princesses.
Sanders County Fair Board assesses successful '18 event
The Sanders County Fair Board met last Wednesday night for their “Fair Critique,” after another successful fair.
Legals September 26, 2018
NOTICE OF SALE GOOD NEIGHBOR AUTHORITY Department of Natural Resources & Conservation Timber Sale The GNA Elk Gem Timber Sale is located within Sections 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, T25N - R34W on the Kootenai National Forest. Approximately 16,468 tons, consisting of mixed conifer sawlogs, are offered for sale. Sealed bids will be opened at the Department of Natural Resources & Conservation, 2705 Spurgin Road, Missoula, Montana on (October 26, 2018; 2:00 pm). Bids may be hand delivered or mailed and will be accepted any time prior to the bid opening. DNRC recommends that bidders contact the Forestry Division (406-542-4300) prior to the bid opening to ensure that your bid has been received. Bids must be accompanied by a deposit of ($11,105.00), representing 5% of the minimum bid value of the sale in cashier's check, certified check, bank money order or bank draft to be applied to the first sale invoice for the successful bidder. Bid bonds will be accepted and, for the successful bidder, will be closed upon execution of the Timber Sale Contract and Timber Sale Bond. The sale will be awarded to the highest responsible bidder. If the successful bidder is unable to execute the contract within 30 calendar days from the date the sale is awarded, the bid deposit will be retained by the Department as liquidated damages. The right is reserved to reject any or all bids. Prospective bidders can obtain the sale prospectus, sale contract and bid forms from the Department of Natural Resources & Conservation, Forestry Division, in Missoula (406-542-4300) the Northwestern Land Office in Kalispell (406-751-2240), the Libby Unit office located in Libby, (406-293-2711), or the Plains Unit Office located Plains (406-826-4725). Visit our website at http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/forestry/forestry-assistance/good-neighbor-authority-current-timber-sales for upcoming sales and bid results. Published in the Clark Fork Valley Press on September 26 and October 3, October 10 and October 17, 2018. MNAXLP
Wednesday, September 19
Savage Heat, Red Devils 'road warriors' Hot Springs plays at Gardiner; Noxon travels to Sheridan
Hot Springs scored three unanswered touchdowns in the third quarter to open up a tight game last Friday night in Noxon, and the Savage Heat went on to earn a 64-36 victory over the Red Devils.
Clark Fork, St. Regis teams in action
In football, the Clark Fork Mountain Cats rolled over the Darby Tigers on Friday night to an entertaining 82-50 win.
Hot Springs spikers fall to Arlee and Charlo
Hot Springs suffered a pair of five-set losses to strong Arlee and Charlo teams last week, dropping the Lady Savage Heat to 3-2 in the Western Division of Class C volleyball.
Trotters run win streak to four
The Plains Trotters are bounding forward as the volleyball season kicks into full gear, and the team is really starting to come together as head coach Jess Butcher tells.
Horsemen fall to Arlee; play at Flint Creek
The Plains Horsemen took a 54-24 defeat on their home field Friday night as they went up against the Arlee Warriors.
Bluehawks carry on despite adversity; prepare for Bigfork
Thompson Falls High School football coach Jared Koskela could easily make a case for his team having the toughest schedule in Montana High School Association Class B football.
Montana Aussie Adventures with Erin-Jay
Wow, the weather is certainly getting that fall feeling about it and with that I know there are plenty of hunters ready to hit the Montana “outback” to get the tag of the season.
How Global Positioning System, or GPS, changed the world
This invention “saves millions of lives every year; it saves billions of dollars in better farming and more efficient travel; it eliminated carpet bombing during war time; and the Internet would collapse under its own weight; real time banking transactions would be impossible without it; and cellphone usage would be severely limited.” This is the introduction in the 2018 documentary, “The Lonely Halls Meeting,” which honors the inventors of GPS or the Global Positioning System.
Lakeside Resort brings 'Ale-xperience' to diners
The Lakeside Motel and Resort in Trout Creek has brought in guest chef Alex Mayberry from La Manzanilla, Jalisco, Mexico for two months to the local Trout Creek business.
Grateful community raises $10,000 for ex-Alberton mayor's health needs
More than $10,000 was raised last Saturday for Alberton resident Joe Hanson during a benefit to help with his medical expenses. More than 100 people crowded into the community center to fill their plates with a potluck-style dinner and sat outside for a pleasant evening and listened to music by Dick Darne and friends.
Patriot Day: Uncommon Grounds support local emergency responders
Cynthia Boehler, owner of Uncommon Grounds coffee stop in Plains, said she wanted to recognize Sanders County’s emergency responders and what they do for the community, and what better day than on Patriot Day.
Retirees encouraged to pass on their trade skills to local students
ST REGIS – The growing retiree population in the St. Regis community offers a wealth of experience and knowledge that can benefit community youth who are not inclined to go on to higher education, but who need a set of skills to support themselves and to help break the cycle of poverty in Mineral County. St. Regis Schools is looking at innovative ways to tap into this experience that can benefit not only the students at the school, but also the retirees, many who are living on a fixed income.
Hot Springs Lumber and Feed here to stay
Hot Springs Lumber and Feed is here to stay after previous owners had decided it was time to say goodbye and enjoy the finer side of life.
GPS inventor advises students to 'think outside the box'
On Sept. 12, Gaylord Green presented Mineral County with a scholarship check for $5,000 at a high school assembly in St. Regis. The check will be added to a nearly $14,000 account Green has set up in the county for qualifying graduates. The winner of the scholarship has the opportunity to receive $8,000 over their four-year college career, or $1,000 each semester.
Racers stride it out at Clark Fork Adventure Challenge
The third annual Clark Fork Adventure Challenge was seen as a huge success for organizers as numbers doubled for entries on Sunday at the Sanders County Fairgrounds.
Public Works Supervisor Roger Wasley won't miss 'late night calls'
A cake that read “Happy Retirement Roger - after 25 years you’re ‘off the clock’ for good. Now there’s time for everything” was eagerly accepted by Roger Wasley last Thursday. Wasley is retiring as the town of Superior’s Public Works Supervisor, and a party was held in his honor.
Michael Thane
Michael J. Thane, fierce individualist, was born on July 4, 1949, and passed away on Aug. 18, 2018, with his brother Tim and sister-in-law Michelle by his side.
Beverly Mack
Beverly Ann (Yount) Mack, 83, passed away on Sept. 1, 2018, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and was a former resident of Colville, Wash., and Plains, Mont.
William Silverthorn
William Russell Silverthorn, born Feb. 8, 1959, to Samuel Cecil Silverthorn and Laurayne (Toddy) Silverthorn, passed away Sept. 5, 2018.
Dorothy (Carlsen) Edison
Dorothy Jewel (Carlsen) Edison passed away peacefully in her sleep of natural causes on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, with her husband Howard at her side.
Julia Wright
Julia Pecnick Wright passed away Sept. 4, 2018. She was born in Kellogg, Idaho, on Sept. 25, 1924.
Byron Keith Bailey
Byron Keith Bailey of Superior, Mont, departed this world on Sept. 2, 2018, in the loving presence of his family.
Thursday, September 13
Mineral County court report
Aug. 28, Charles Harrison Allfrey, violation in a construction zone
Community Notes
ALBERTON — The Montana Department of Transportation would like to notify the public and seek comments on a proposal to resurface about 9.8 miles of Interstate 90 (I-90) in Mineral and Missoula counties.
Horsemen prep for Arlee on Friday
Over the weekend, the Plains Horsemen took a decisive loss to the Darby Tigers with the scoreboard finishing 54-6.
Trotters looking to hit their stride on VB court soon
The Plains Trotters are back on the courts with full steam ahead. Though they took a loss to the Charlo Lady Vikings on Friday night, the home crowd kept spurring them on through each set.
Bluehawks hope to bounce back with first win over Bonners Ferry
The Thompson Falls High School football team vividly recalls last year’s disappointing 28-26 loss in overtime against Bonners Ferry (Idaho) to spoil last season’s homecoming for the Bluehawks.
Mountain Cats roll past Victor, 56-0
The Clark Fork Mountain Cats scored big on the road in Victor on Saturday with a 56-0 football win over the Pirates.
Lady Tiger, Cat spikers experience 'mixed bag'
The St. Regis Lady Tigers had a mixed bag over the week on the volleyball court with a loss to the Arlee Scarlets and a win over Victor.
Savage Heat bury West Yellowstone Hot Springs faces Noxon Friday in key contest
Hot Springs stayed in position to contend for a Class C 6-man Western Division title with a convincing 50-18 home-field victory over the West Yellowstone Wolverines last Friday night.
Hot Springs spikers face Arlee, Charlo after pair of victories
They there are “power in numbers” in sports, but that’s not necessarily the case for high school volleyball.
Noxon allows win over WSS to slip away Red Devils prepare to host Savage Heat Friday
Noxon was in position to take over first place in the Western Division of Class C 6-man football last Friday night against visiting White Sulphur Springs, but the Hornets rallied from a late nine-point deficit to post a 32-27 win.
Wednesday, September 12
Jarrod Tippens, Jr.
“It’s time to succumb ... I am tired of trying to overcome.”
Montana Aussie Adventures with Erin-Jay
Wow — September is nearly half way done and I can’t believe fair has come and gone, Halloween is up next then Thanksgiving and of course Christmas will be here before we know it.
Delbert Herschbach
Delbert Robert Herschbach, 79, passed away at his home in Royal Oaks, Calif., on Aug. 22, 2018.
Wild Horse Plains Car and Bike Show sparkles
It was a sunny Saturday afternoon at the Clark Fork Valley Hospital car park as long term care residents along with plenty of locals turned out to the third annual Wild Horse Plains Car and Bike Show.
St. Regis, Superior students receive safety gear
More than 1,800 Montana high school students in construction trade and industry classes at 17 different schools will be that much safer this school year through Montana State Fund’s Growing a Safer Montana equipment grants program, including St. Regis and Superior high schools.
T-Falls students inducted into NHS
Twelve Thompson Falls High School students from grades 10 and 11 will be inducted into Blue Hawk Chapter of the National Honor Society during a formal ceremony on Monday, Sept. 17 at the high school.
New propane store opens in Superior
A new Superior propane service company moved in just down the road from the longtime propane company company Energy Partners. The new business is Mineral Energy Co., and is owned by Energy Partners’ previous manager, Kirby Smith.
Multitude of crashes, one fatality in county
Last week saw emergency responders extremely busy with a number of call-outs, including multiple vehicle wrecks with one fatality.
Owner going 'all out' to clean up the private Alberton dump
The 11-acre Alberton dump continues to be in the crosshairs of the Department of Environmental Quality sites. Currently, cleanup efforts seem to be coming to a close, and hopefully the case will be permanently closed. At least that’s what property owner Joe Hanson is hoping for.
St. Regis School receives rare accreditation
St. Regis School recently received its AdvancED Accreditation certification and is one of only 26 Montana school districts to have received it. St. Regis moved to a personalized learning system three years ago, and with the Measured Academic Progress or MAP test scores, the school has seen huge increases.
Legals September 12, 2018
PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO PROTEST TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF MONTANA ALL-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES LICENSE Cousins Montana Bar (Karen Evans, Danial Storkson, Earl Twiggs, Joyce Hebert, Owners) has applied to transfer Montana All-Alcoholic Beverages License No. 35-845-7182-001 to be operated by JBJ Montana Bar, LLC. at 201 Main St., Hot Springs, Sanders County. The public may protest this license transfer in accordance with the law. Who can protest this transfer? Protests will be accepted from residents of the county of the proposed location (Sanders), residents of adjoining Montana counties (Lincoln, Flathead, Lake, Mineral, Missoula), and residents of adjoining counties in another state if the criteria in 16-4-207(4)(d), Montana Code Annotated (MCA), are met. What information must be included? Protest letters must be legible and contain (1) the protestor's full name, mailing address, and street address; (2) the license number (35-845-7182-001) and the applicant's name (JBJ Montana Bar, LLC); (3) an indication that the letter is intended as a protest; (4) a description of the grounds for protesting; and (5) the protestor's signature. A letter with multiple signatures will be considered one protest letter. What are valid protest grounds? The protest may be based on the applicant's qualifications listed in 16-4-401, MCA, or the grounds for denial of an application in 16-4-405, MCA. Examples of valid protest grounds include: (1) the applicant is unlikely to operate the establishment in compliance with the law; (2) the proposed location cannot be properly policed by local authorities; and (3) the welfare of the people in the vicinity of the proposed location will be adversely and seriously affected. How are protests submitted? Protests must be postmarked to the Department of Revenue, Office of Dispute Resolution, P.O. Box 5805, Helena, Montana 59604-5805 on or before September 17, 2018. What happens if the transfer is protested? Depending on the number of protests and the protest grounds, a public hearing will be held in Helena or Hot Springs. All valid protestors will be notified of the hearing's time, date and location. Hearings typically are scheduled within 90 days. A protester's hearing testimony is limited to the grounds in the protester's letter. Following the hearing, the Department of Revenue will notify the public whether the license transfer is approved or denied. How can additional information be obtained? The cited MCA statutes are online at leg.mt.gov/bills/mca_toc/. Questions may be directed to Charlene Sholey, Compliance Specialist for the Department of Revenue's Liquor Control Division, at (406) 444-3505 or charlene.sholey@mt.gov. Published in the Clark Fork Valley Press on September 5 and September 12, 2018. MNAXLP
Thursday, September 6
Letters to the editor
The Bad Actors Law is a Montana mining law that was passed because there was a pattern of irresponsible behavior by some Montana mining company chief officers. This pattern often resulted in major pollution and bankruptcy filings, while the officers moved on to the next mine leaving the costs and impacts on taxpayers.
Rattlesnake Fire at 64-percent containment
The Rattlesnake Fire, located 10 miles northeast of Hot Springs, measured at 1,374 acres and was 64 percent contained as of Tuesday morning, according to The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire.
Tribal Health offers new walk-in hours, clinics
ST. IGNATIUS — Tribal Health (TH) is working in the community to provide more access to health care for Tribal Health recipients.
Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness entries due Oct. 31
Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness seeks entries for its annual photo contest. Entries are due by Oct. 31.
Sanders County Fair brings out the best
The judges for the Sanders County Fair were in full swing Tuesday morning, Aug. 28 as they began to judge all entries for this year’s fair.
U.S. Forest Service issues ROD for Rock Creek project
LIBBY — RC Resources, a subsidiary of Hecla Mining Company, announced late last week that the supervisor of the Kootenai National Forest has signed the Record of Decision (ROD) authorizing Phase I of the Rock Creek project in Sanders County.
Wednesday, September 5
Alberton clothing designer 'inspired by nature'
Inspired by her love for the outdoors, Alberton resident Yana Robertson has created a growing businesses selling outdoor apparel, specializing in leggings and yoga pants. The name of her business represents her passion, called Pure Venatic. Venatic meaning in part, “people engaged in, or given to, hunting.” But, she says, the meaning goes beyond the traditional hunt, and expands into hunting for things like mushrooms, berries and other wildlife.
Superior man dies in truck crash on interstate
Thomas Hinderman, 71, of Superior died on Tuesday, Aug. 28 after his white Toyota Tundra went off the road and into the median. The accident happened around 4 a.m. east of Superior near mile marker 54 on Interstate 90.
Taxpayers saving as the St. Regis school budget less than expected
St. Regis Schools Superintendent Joe Steele was pleased to announce that this year’s budget came in $178,000 less than originally anticipated. That results in a tax savings for local residents.
Community Notes
The Alberton Farmers Market is held every Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Community Center parking lot.
Read retires as county planner, sanitarian
After nearly 15 years of service, Mineral County Sanitarian and Planner Tim Read has retired. His final day was Friday, Aug. 31, when a group of fellow employees and friends gathered in the commissioners’ meeting room to bid him farewell.
Late Sen. McCain acted on his convictions
Albert Einstein once said, “Few are they who can think with their own minds and feel with their own hearts.” Senator John McCain was one of those few, and insightful Americans will miss him.
Hecla issue 'double talk' from DEQ just doesn't make sense
I respect the importance Department of Environmental Quality has in ensuring protection of Montana’s environment. We acknowledge Director Livers’ support for Hecla when he accurately stated, “DEQ recognizes that Hecla’s track record of mine operations and reclamation has earned the company a favorable reputation for commitments to safety and to minimizing environmental impacts from mining.”
Mountain Cats win; St. Regis/Mullan falls short at Dreary
The Clark Fork Mountain Cats faced the Mission Bulldogs in a Friday home conference football game in Alberton, and the Mountain Cats earned a sound 60-44 win.
Clark Fork spikers sweep Victor; St. Regis falls to Hot Springs in three
Clark Fork swept the Victor Lady Pirates in volleyball action Thursday, Aug. 30 in Victor, as the Mountain Cats rolled to a 25-15, 25-17, 25-6 victory.
Mineral County to receive Operation Stonegarden grant
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., is delivering on his promise to secure the border, combat drug trafficking and strengthen local law enforcement in Montana.
Legals September 5, 2018
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Requests Input for Proposed Timber Sales PUBLIC NOTICE The Plains Unit of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is developing plans for two proposed timber sales. The first proposed sale would be known as the Green Calico Timber Sale. This proposed sale is located approximately 19 air miles northwest of Plains, MT in the Calico Creek drainage, Sections 32 & 34, Township 23 North, Range 27 West, and Sections 4 & 10, Township 22 North, Range 27 West. This sale is in the earliest stages of planning and would most likely involve seed tree and shelterwood harvests with ground and cable-based logging systems. This sale may require new and/or reconstruction of roads and would include some minor improvements on existing roads. This sale would likely sell in the fall of 2019 and is projected to generate approximately 2 - 3 million board feet of timber for the Public Buildings and Common Schools Trusts. The second, known as the ReDeemer Timber Sale, is located approximately 5 air miles northeast of Plains, MT, on the north side of Deemer Peak, Sections 8, 9, 10, & 16, Township 22 North, Range 25 West. This sale is in the earliest stages of planning and would most likely involve seed tree and shelterwood harvests with ground and cable-based logging systems. This sale may require new and/or reconstruction of roads and would include some minor improvements on existing roads. This sale would likely sell in the spring of 2020 and is projected to generate approximately 4 - 5 million board feet of timber for the Common Schools Trust. These sales are being considered to generate revenue for their associated Trust Funds, improve forest health by reducing the possibility of insect and disease activity, to reduce excessive fuel loading and the related risk of wildfire, and to reestablish and promote timber types historically found in these areas. These proposed harvests would contribute to the DNRC's sustained yield as mandated by state statute 77-5-222. As an adjacent landowner or interested party, we request your input regarding these projects. Your concerns and comments are needed to assist the DNRC in planning, analyzing, and implementing these projects. We would appreciate your response by October 31, 2018 so that we may incorporate it into our planning process. Please send comments to: DNRC Plains Unit, ATTN: Dale Peters, PO Box 219, Plains, MT 59859 or by email to dpeters@mt.gov or by phone at Please direct oral or written comments to: Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation PO Box 219 Plains, Montana 59859 Attn: Dale Peters (406) 826-4722 E-mail: dpeters@mt.gov Published in the Clark Fork Valley Press on August 29 and September 5, 2018. MNAXLP
