Ellington

Cement truck flips west of Dixon Thursday; no injuries

A truck carrying a full load of seven yards of concrete overturned in the middle of Montana Highway 200 on Thursday morning, April 25 west of Dixon.

Sanders County girls excel in T-Falls

The Sanders County girls teams, like their boys teams, showcased their ability to the rest of the competition at the Montana High School Association Class B-C track meet Tuesday afternoon at the Thompson Falls Invite.

Kindergarten Roundup 'eye opener' for youngsters

Some approached with circumspection, others with confidence or curiosity.

MCT's 'Gulliver's Travels' seemed different somehow

Nearly 50 Plains students performed in and helped produce Missoula Children’s Theater’s (MCT) wild, space-travel odyssey version of “Gulliver’s Travels” last Saturday.

Plains quilter takes top prize at Flat Iron show in T-Falls

Peg McCarthy of Plains earned the “Viewer’s Choice” award for the top entry in the 2019 Flat Iron Quilt Guild’s show held Saturday, April 6 in the Thompson Falls High School gym.

No headline

The intrepid Sanders County Fair Board is quickly picking up steam. With mostly new membership and an acting manager, and with the help of experienced locals, they are pulling together contracts, agreements, sponsors, grounds maintenance, and all that’s needed to ensure another successful fair this year.

Thompson Falls homicide suspect enters 'not guilty' plea

Danielle Jeanette Wood appeared by video before District Court Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher at the Sanders County Courthouse in Thompson Falls on Tuesday, April 16, for arraignment on a charge of deliberate homicide in connection with the death of Thompson Falls resident Matthew LaFriniere in May of 2018.

Helicopter ignition controlled burn today near Perma

CSKT Division of Fire release

Farris, Green win events at Seeley-Swan Invitational

MISSOULA — St. Regis Tiger Ian Farris won the boys’ 100-meter dash in 11.58 seconds and Clark Fork Mountain Cat Trey Green took top honors in the shot put with an effort of 46-1.50 at the Seeley-Swan Invitational on Saturday, April 20 at Big Sky High School in Missoula. Bigfork, 104, won for the boys and Seeley-Swan, 112, captured the girls crown with Bigfork second, 94 1/2. Seeley-Swan athletes won six events to Bigfork’s two — Anya Young (1,600-meter run) and Ashton McAnally (shot put). St. Regis heads to the John Cheek Top 8 Meet in Anaconda on Tuesday, April 30, and the both the Mountain Cats and Tigers take part in the Kim Haines Memorial in Missoula on Saturday, May 4.

Rep. Gianforte visits St. Regis and promotes telecommuting

In a reserved corner at Jasper’s Restaurant in St. Regis, U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Mont., met with Mineral County officials to discuss current Montana proposals on Tuesday, April 16.

'A-tisket, a-tasket, I filled my Easter basket!'

Legals April 24, 2019

REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT Sanders County is now reviewing a request for a change of use permit on county property adjacent to the Plains Airport, located within the Airport Affected Area. The proposed use change is from undeveloped to commercial/utility. The project is located off Diehl Ranch Rd. just north of the airport, in Section 20, Township 20N, Range 26W, P.P.M. A public meeting will be held April 30, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. in the Commissioners Conference Room, in the Sanders County Courthouse which is handicapped accessible in Thompson Falls, Montana. At which time all interested person(s) will be given an opportunity to comment. Any person with questions or wanting further information or wishing to submit comments about this project, please contact the Sanders County Land Service Department in the County Courthouse, P. O. Box, 519, 1111 Main Street Thompson Falls MT 59873, Phone 827-6965 or kmaudrone@co.sanders.mt.us. Comments will be received through April 30, 2019. Published in the Clark Fork Valley Press on April 24, 2019. MNAXLP

Plains street conditions boil down to drainage issues

The streets of Plains are falling apart; there’s just no denying it. And, as with anything this big, the solutions are complicated and affect people’s lives.

Thompson Falls homicide suspect enters 'not guilty' plea

Danielle Jeanette Wood appeared by video before District Court Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher at the Sanders County Courthouse in Thompson Falls on Tuesday, April 16, for arraignment on a charge of deliberate homicide in connection with the death of Thompson Falls resident Matthew LaFriniere in May of 2018.

Superior High students visit the state Capitol with their class

This week I had some welcome guests. Mr. Bishop and former Rep. Gordon Hendrick spent a day at the Capitol with the Superior High School government class.

O Sole Trio gets rave reviews at Paradise Center

We all know the way to Carnegie Hall. Practice, practice, practice. But how do you get from Carnegie Hall to Paradise? Through the Sanders County Arts Council.

LoHua Odekirk

LoHua M. Okekirk, 84, passed away March 22, 2019. She was born April 28, 2934, in Myton, Utah, the daughter of Lawrence and Esther Odekirk. She was the seventh of eight children, and always walked her own path. She would go on to touch the lives of many, even those who met her only once.

Bonnie Burton

Bonnie K. Burton (Southworth) of Plains, Mont., passed away in Billings, Mont., on April 14, 2019, while surrounded by her sister, Maurine, and her two sons, Sean and Jeff.

New crew: Hot Springs FFA thanks Stockmen's Association

Three members of Hot Springs Future Farmers of America attended the April meeting of the Western Montana Stockmen’s Association to thank them for a generous $1,000 donation to their club.

Member of 'The Walking Dead' Marine unit recalls deadly battle from April 1967

James H. Stogner had his sights set on becoming a U.S. Marine even before his teenage years. His father was in the service, and he had a mindset of following in his footsteps.

Let the track & field season begin

Clark Fork and St. Regis track and field teams finally got the season going last week, with some impressive early marks.

Forest Service proposes Cruzane Mountain Project

When homeowner Kent Moeller looks out his window, he sees a beautiful landscape of dense ponderosa pine, lodgepole, and Doug Fir trees just beyond his backyard in the Lolo National Forest near Saltese.

Sheriff's office loses important asset

After serving with the Mineral County Sherriff’s Office for 25 years, Superior Mayor Roni Phillips announced her retirement from the Jail Administrator and 911-Dispatcher positions in early April. Phillips will remain Superior’s mayor, and will continue working as an EMT on Superior’s ambulance.

Detention Center closed County proposes alternative uses for facility

Mineral County officials met on Friday, April 12 to discuss proposals for the Detention Center’s future following its temporary closure in February.

Noxon's Stogner receives Navy Cross Medal

Marine risked his life to save his gunner, other soldiers in Vietnam

James Stogner of Noxon received the prestigious Navy Cross Medal during a special ceremony Friday afternoon, April 5 at the VFW in Polson.

Members head to State FFA Convention

St. Regis students competed at the Montana State FFA Convention in Bozeman on April 3 through April 6. Member Emma Hill was a finalist in the FFA’s Most Inspirational Contest, where she wrote an essay about inspiring others to become members. Although no students placed in the top ten, they improved their scores from previous FFA attempts. Students competed in Livestock Evaluation and Farm Agribusiness Management at the convention. Chapter members also acted as a voting delegate for changes to the State FFA Constitution, volunteered at the Salvation Army, student success workshops and nightly open sessions. Another FFA Convention will be held on May 6-7 in Great Falls where members will compete in Agriculture Communications, Vet Science, Food Science, Horse Evaluation and Employment Skills.

Bison Stampede raises funds for Dixon School

Sparkling spring morning, enthusiastic crowd, spirited runners, and mud — a great combination for the fifth annual Dixon Bison Stampede, bringing the community of Dixon together last Saturday.

Thilmony wins title at Montana Open at MetraPark

It would be proper to call it a “bookend” season for Thompson Falls freshman Trae Thilmony on the wrestling mat.

Plains softball, baseball, T-ball, soccer ready to roll

Wildhorse Sports Association is excited to be gearing up for the Spring 2019 sports season. This spring will see U8, U10, U12 and U14 softball girls take the fields. Cuteness in oversized T-shirts will be showcased with two T-Ball teams of boys and girls, as well as a Minors team, Majors team and a Babe Ruth team of young boys from Plains and the surrounding area. Soccer also showed growth this year and has a co-ed U10 soccer team, a girls’ U11 and boys’ U11 soccer teams as well as a boys’ U14 team, girls’ U15 team, and a co-ed U18 team.

Plains golfers improving with every stroke of ball

Plains High School will be about as “green” as the grass on which they play for the 2019 golf season.

Homicide suspect to appear in court on April 16

The arraignment for former Thompson Falls resident Danielle Wood, who has been charged with one count of deliberate homicide, has been set for Tuesday, April 16 before District Court Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher.

Construction resumes on Highway 200

Construction of safety improvements on Highway 200 is scheduled to resume this week (April 8) depending on weather. The construction work zone begins near the Thompson River Bridge and extends 2.7 miles east toward Plains. Construction is expected to take four months to complete.

Wheeled Phoenix project helps veterans re-enter society in U.S.

The visions I’ve had of forgotten veterans have haunted me for years ... the Wheeled Phoenix project, the concept I’ve devised, will buy old cars and restore them as resto-mods. The cars will be raffled off by a nonprofit, Veteran Phoenix, LLLP, and the donations received from ticket sales will help homeless veterans re-enter society. Wheeled Phoenix’, Inc. will also produce two reality shows; one that will feature the car’s rebuild, and the other will feature the rebuilding of a soldier’s life.

Project ASCENT get kids 'in touch with nature'

Project ASCENT is ascending — like a rocket. The non-profit to help kids learn to enjoy the outdoors seems to have found a sweet spot in the hearts and minds of Sanders County and is surging into action.

Mountain Cats, Tigers open season at Frenchtown Invite

Both the Clark Fork Mountain Cats and the St. Regis Tigers track teams placed in multiple track and field events on Saturday, April 6 at the Frenchtown Invitational, held at the Big Sky High School facility in Missoula.

Cranking up and winding down at the 2019 Legislature

We had Day 71 last Friday. From that day forward, we have 19 days left of the regular session to finish business. The final outcome of many bills is still very much in limbo. Last minute amendments come into play in the committee meetings or on the chamber floors.

County jail would be costly to close

I am writing this letter as a concerned resident and (future) taxpayer of Mineral County. There is a good possibility that our local jail may close permanently unless some solutions to long-term problems can be found.

Judith Loberg

Judith Lee Loberg, 68, of St. Ignatius, passed away on March 28, 2019. Services have been held.

BackPack Program seeks donations

According to the Montana Food Bank Network, nearly 1 in 6 children in Montana live in a food-insecure household. That means 42,480 children in Montana may not know where their next meal is going to come from.

Fate of Mineral County Detention Center in limbo

Mineral County officials are currently deciding whether or not to close the Detention Center, which closed temporarily in early February, due to a detention officer shortage. Staff shortages caused a previous closure in 2017.

Frenchtown Fire: Two wrecks in two minutes

Frenchtown Rural Fire District responders scrambled on Tuesday, April 4 when two separate motor vehicle wrecks were called in only minutes apart.

Superior Fire Dep't trains for high-angle rescues

The Superior Volunteer Fire Department has been involved with five high angle rescue accidents in 2018. Including the December 19 pileup on Interstate 90 which included a trucker driver who jumped over an overpass to avoid being hit by a semi-truck. As well as the rescue of Frenchtown Firefighter, Kyle Rauch, who had responded to that incident and slipped on the icy bridge deck and plunged 40 feet down an embankment. Rauch survived the fall thanks to the quick efforts of emergency responders. The truck driver involved with the incident, as well as the other three victims of high angle rescues last year, did not survive.

Annual Hoop Shoot brings 41 teams to Superior

Nearly 400 people descended on Superior Schools last weekend to participate in the Annual Superior Hoop Shoot. A basketball competition for grades third through eight comprised of three divisions: third and fourth; fifth and sixth; seventh and eighth.

Mineral Community Hospital receives new portable X-ray machine

Patients at Mineral Community Hospital will soon benefit from studies using the latest in X-ray technology made possible through a grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust’s Rural Healthcare Program.

A reporter's farewell: 'My Swan Song'

This issue of the Mineral Independent will be my “Swan Song.” After this, I will be heading into a new adventure where I will be moving to Conrad with my significant other, Gus Chambers. For those unfamiliar with the small town, it is located one hour north of Great Falls. There we have a nice farm house with 20 acres in the middle of an alfalfa field!

Where is the Taft cemetery?

Boom town supported railroad in early 1900s

“Bullet, belt buckle, button,” the metal detector’s screen reads various items buried some seven feet beneath the earth. Forest Service Archeologist Erika Karuzas continues to wave the detector over an area that most believe is the location of an old cemetery. Located on a hillside covered with 100-year-old lodge pole pine overlooking Interstate 90.

Judge upholds two death sentences for Duncan

BOISE, Idaho — A federal judge has upheld two of three death penalties for a man convicted in a gruesome child kidnapping and murder case, and put a third death sentence on hold for now.

Art on the Walls at CFVH

A lesson from Montana: 'Manners make things easier for everybody'

I was thinking this morning of the shrill sounds, threats, and recriminations coming out of our nation’s capital. For some reason, perhaps because of the contrast, it reminded me of a meeting that occurred outside of Dillon, Mont., in 2007.

Plains/Hot Springs brings seasoned team with lots of depth to diamond

When divisional tournament time rolls around the first weekend of May, probably no one will want to face the Plains/Hot Springs softball team.

Locals visit Superior for Hoop Shoot

Nearly 400 people descended on Superior Schools last weekend to participate in the Annual Superior Hoop Shoot. A basketball competition for grades third through eight comprised of three divisions: third and fourth; fifth and sixth; seventh and eighth.

T-Falls starting out fresh on boys' team; girls have more vets T-Falls boys' track rebuilding, Lady Hawks shows balance

Thompson Falls has a handful of returning state meet qualifiers heading into the eventual opening of the 2019 track and field season.

Thompson Falls continues building process

Sometimes you have to take two steps forward and one step back when you’re rebuilding a high school sports program.

Brubaker, VanVleet, Weltzes lead Noxon

Four returning state qualifiers, including a defending champion, lead Noxon into the 2019 track and field season, which opens Saturday at the Eureka Invitational. Events begin at 10 a.m., weather permitting.

CFVH Foundation Spring Gala April 13

Bring a date, or a passel of friends, for dinner and a show, to support the Clark Fork Valley Hospital Foundation. The Foundation Spring Gala is offering dinner and entertainment from national stage musician John Dunnigan, Saturday, April 13 at the Sanders County Fair Grounds Pavilion. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Flatiron Quilting Guild celebrating 30 years at show

For three decades, the gifted hands of the Flatiron Quilting Guild have pieced and stitched love for their fellow community members into quilts that have greeted babies, warmed families, and comforted cancer patients. The upcoming Flatiron Quilting Guild Quilt Show, Saturday, April 13, is a real credit to the persistent community contributions and artistic skill of the Guild members.

Paradise post marks 70th year while American Legion celebrates 100th

O Sole Trio performs April 13 in Paradise

Tickets are available now to attend the performance of “O Sole Trio,” the final event of Sanders County Arts Council’s 2018-19 Performing Arts Season.

CFVH open house introduces new surgeon, equipment

Clark Fork Valley Hospital takes its role as the community’s hospital seriously, and part of that is making it fun.

Plains High School senior Paulsen wins Duck Stamp competition

Malachi Paulsen certainly has an “eye for art.” When he picks up a graphite, color or charcoal pencil, it seems like magical things happen.