Ellington

Returning Home: Former Plains students are a key part of the high school staff today

Plains High school has been around for nearly 100 years and for as long as recent memory holds, has had some of the most excellent teachers. Many of them are returning students inspired by previous instructors to bring that same energy, excitement and encouragement to future generations.

New store opening promises locals more convenience

Last Wednesday a new business opened up on Main Street in Plains. It is called 406 Outlet and the owner, Jessica Holland, says that her store is bringing something new to the town.

4-H is planning for another big year at the Sanders County Fair

This year promises to be another grand year for the local 4-H groups of Sanders county.

Sanders County Search and Rescue does so much, but now needs your help

There are many outdoor activities that bring people to Sanders County from hiking to fishing and kayaking to hunting along with so much more. With so many ways to get out into the woods there are equality numerous ways to become, lost, hurt or standard. This is where the members of the Sanders County Search and Rescue (SAR) come in. They are a professionally trained group of volunteers that come from all walks of life to ensure the safety of the many who explore the county.

Lue Peterson

Linda Louise Peterson joined her sisters and other family members August 22, 2019. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Sheriff's budget may lose some overtime

At the Sheriff’s Office final budget hearing in Superior on Friday, Aug. 16, county officials decided the only area they could make financial cuts were in overtime.

St. Regis Schools hold bash

St Regis Schools hosted a Back-to-School Bash Thursday, Aug. 22, from 4:30 to 7:30 to bring the community and school together. The event was sponsored by GEAR UP and the Headwaters Foundation.

Wayne Sheridan Jackson

Beloved husband and uncle, Wayne Sheridan Jackson, 76, of De Borgia, Montana, passed away at the Clark Fork Valley Hospital of Plains, Montana on August 14, 2019. Wayne was born on November 23, 1942 in Nordegg, Alberta, Canada; the son of Edward and Ruth (Hannah) Jackson.

Lolo Forest fee increase proposed

The Lolo National Forest is proposing a recreation fee increase on various campgrounds, day sites, group sites and cabins which could double fees in some areas.

Apprenticeship program brings training and employment opportunities to Mineral County

ST. REGIS – On Tuesday, Aug. 20, Montana Department of Labor & Industry officials visited the Idaho Forest Group St. Regis Mill as 12 apprentices signed paperwork to join the company’s first Montana Registered Apprenticeship program.

Youth Conservation Corps finishes season on Superior Ranger District

SUPERIOR — After eight weeks of exposure to nearly every aspect of the Forest Service, the five members of the 2019 Superior Ranger District Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) crew submitted their final timesheet, saying goodbye to a summer of adventure, unique experiences, and what some soundly describe as “FUN” while working.

Alberton Schools ready for new year

As Alberton Schools approaches its centennial year of education, faculty and staff are preparing for the school year which starts Friday, Aug. 23.

Quinlan steps up as athletic director

As fall sports loom around the corner this schoolyear, Superior High School will see a familiar face as the new athletic director.

New gymnasium will greet returning students at Superior H.S.

Power tools, sawdust and patches of vacant floor boards will encompass the Superior High School gymnasium until classes begin for the school year.

Man pleads not guilty to assaulting youth at rodeo

Law enforcement vehicles lined the streets outside the Mineral County Courthouse on Aug. 14, during the arraignment for Curt Brockway, a Superior man, who pleaded not guilty to assaulting a 13-year-old boy at a rodeo.

Questions raised about Cruzane forest-thinning project

A forest thinning proposal intended to reduce wildfire potential is raising questions about its effect on elk calving due to its prime habitat area, which lies on Cruzane Mountain near Saltese.

Trout Creek Huckleberry festival brings in many local vendors

Every summer Trout Creek hosts its annual Huckleberry Festival and this year hundreds of people descended onto the town to celebrate the summer and to experience the culture of Montana.

Plains High improving the campus in many ways

Four years ago, Plains High School began working on paving the front parking lot.

Summer program inspires lifelong passion for reading

Some people say that a man without education is like building a house without a foundation.

Experts say it could still be a bad year for grasshoppers

Though this year has not yet become a terribly bad year for grasshoppers, and last year was supposedly worse, it is still likely to create conditions to bring a hard time onto locals and farmers.

Harvey 'Gene' Pinkley, 77

On Wednesday, August 7, 2019, Harvey “Gene” Pinkley, loving husband and father of two daughters passed away at age 77.

Terrell J. Monfort, 79

Terrell J Monfort. 79, also known as TJ, passed away Aug. 3, 2019, in Plains, Montana.

Teen team building

Two who died in I-90 crash identified

Mineral County authorities released names of two individuals who died in a head-on collision after their car struck a semi-truck on Saturday, August 3.

Fire danger eased back to high on Lolo National Forest

The Lolo National Forest has declared High Fire Danger following heavy rains last weekend which downgraded the danger from Very High.

Man accused of assaulting boy at rodeo

Suspect released from custody; case gains national attention

A 39-year-old Superior man was charged with assaulting a minor at the Mineral County Fair in Superior on Saturday, Aug. 3, according to court documents.

Go for the Gold A rip-roarin' rodeo at the Mineral County Fair

County confirms that hiring guards is key to re-opening detention center

After seven months without a detention center in Mineral County, the facility will remain inoperable until officials can find interested applicants to fill the vacant detention officer positions.

Legals August 14, 2019

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 Sales Mine Timber Sale. This proposed sale is located approximately 36 air miles north of Plains, MT on the divide between the Elk Creek, Whitney Creek and Indian Creek drainages, Section 36, Township 26 North, Range 28 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 2020 and is projected to generate approximately 3-4 million board feet of timber for the Common Schools Trust. The second, known as the Smiley Face Timber Sale, is located approximately 12 air miles north of Plains, MT, on the divide between the Todd Creek, Mudd Creek and Smiley Creek drainages, Sections 30 & 32, Township 22 North, Range 26 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 2021 and is projected to generate approximately 3-4 million board feet of timber for the Common Schools Trust. These sales are being considered to generate revenue for the Common Schools Trust Fund, 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, 2019 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 406-826-4722 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 7 and August 14, 2019. MNAXLP

Plains Vacation Bible School 'Roars' for local youth

The Plains community is well known for supporting its members, and the churches are no exception.

ATA annual trap shoot draws people from across Northwest

Plains is known for many things like the Clark Fork River, the sweeping hills, the mountains and canyons, even a few fantastic hiking locations.

FWP bear expert Kim Annis helps locals stay bear safe

Grizzly and black bears, both weighing several hundreds pounds, have little trouble getting what they want in terms of food, so it is no surprise that when a bear decides it wants something it will get it.

Project Ascent youth camp provides adventures high in the mountains near Thompson Falls

There are many ways for locals to get into nature; however, in today’s world it can be hard for youth to find the doorway into the wild in a safe manner.

Darla Jean (Altmiller) Alteneder

February 21, 1939—August 1, 2019.

Margery Martin, 86

Margery Martin, 86, passed away August 2, 2019.

Charles, Temple impress at annual Quilt Guild show

Vibrant fabric and patterns lined Superior High School at the Cabin Fever Quilt Guild quilt show at the 2019 Mineral County Fair this past weekend.

Downed powerline causes grassfire

A small grassfire started after high winds caused a downed powerline on Remount Road in the Ninemile area Friday, August 2.

Fire crews battle Frenchtown fire

Frenchtown Rural Fire District and additional crews contained a structure fire involving a fifth-wheel trailer and a car on Ursus Way in Frenchtown Friday afternoon.

No headline

Two die in Crystal Springs head-on crash

Two passengers died after their car collided head-on with a semi-truck at about 6 p.m. Saturday, August 3, on Interstate 90. The accident happened at Crystal Springs in Mineral County.

Lolo National Forest declares very high fire danger

The Lolo National Forest has declared very high fire danger following dry weather.

Legals August 7, 2019

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 Sales Mine Timber Sale. This proposed sale is located approximately 36 air miles north of Plains, MT on the divide between the Elk Creek, Whitney Creek and Indian Creek drainages, Section 36, Township 26 North, Range 28 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 2020 and is projected to generate approximately 3-4 million board feet of timber for the Common Schools Trust. The second, known as the Smiley Face Timber Sale, is located approximately 12 air miles north of Plains, MT, on the divide between the Todd Creek, Mudd Creek and Smiley Creek drainages, Sections 30 & 32, Township 22 North, Range 26 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 2021 and is projected to generate approximately 3-4 million board feet of timber for the Common Schools Trust. These sales are being considered to generate revenue for the Common Schools Trust Fund, 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, 2019 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 406-826-4722 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 7 and August 14, 2019. MNAXLP

Mineral and Missoula counties searching for missing person

The Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office, are looking for Andrew Hossle, 31, of Missoula.