Ellington

Gabrielle 'Gaye' Beller

Gabrielle Fink Beller, 92, died Feb. 15, 2019, following a brief illness. Gabrielle (Gaye to her friends as she would say) was born Aug. 13, 1926, in Goodman, Wisc., to Orvia and Franc Fink.

Please pledge your support for E.L. Johnson Memorial Pool

Friends and neighbors:

Blue Hawks can't keep pace with Wardens, Falcons at Divisional

Thompson Falls had aspirations of turning some good recent performances into a boys’ state tournament berth, but the Blue Hawks were eliminated from the Western B Divisional Tournament last week at the Ronan Event Center without recording a victory.

Lady Hawks fall to Loyola, Eureka at Western Divisional

It was not a turnover plague that proved to be the downfall for the Thompson Falls girls at the Western B Divisional Basketball Tournament last week at the Ronan Event Center. It was inability to show consistent offensive production.

Little Guys warm up at Superior mixer

Four Little Guy Wrestling teams met in Superior on Thursday to open the 2019 season.

Hunter education instructors needed

Course in Sanders County begins March 4 in Plains

Hunter and bowhunter education courses are open to registration across northwest Montana, and instructors are needed, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

America Saves Week addresses national 'savings crisis'

Military Saves Week also observed Feb. 25-March 2

The American personal savings rate is at its lowest level since the U.S. financial crisis in 2008, at 6.0 percent of disposable income, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and is continuing a 60-year downward trend line.

Limberlost Brewing of Thompson Falls receives Growth Through Ag grant

Gov. Steve Bullock and the Agriculture Development Council have announced the recipients of $447,300 in grants to agricultural businesses and organizations. A total of 20 businesses and organizations were awarded funds through the Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) program.

Report from Day 39 of State Legislature: We're close to transmittal break

Just a short note to say hello from Helena. We have been meeting early and staying late to try and get bills acted on before transmittal break. All kinds of bills from wolf hunting and trapping to child abuse.

Lawmakers to discuss slew of hot-button topics at mid-session

HELENA — The Montana Legislature is about to hit its hump day — on Saturday, March 2, the session is officially halfway through. Lawmakers will discuss a slew of hot-button issues this week, including sales tax, corporate media ownership, campaign mailers, surprise medical bills, and international trade wars. Here’s what to keep an eye on for Week 8:

This 'n That consignment shop in Superior is closing its doors

From clothes, to jewelry, knick-knacks and appliances all fill the tiny building located on the far side of the bridge in Superior. This ’n That is located at 104 River Street North and is closing its doors permanently on March 16.

Forest Service tries to stay on schedule despite furlough

Despite the 35 day government shutdown, the Superior and Ninemile U.S. Forest Service offices have been working hard to remain on schedule. Superior District Ranger, Carole Johnson, and new Ninemile District Ranger, Eric Tomasik, gave an update report to the Mineral County commissioners on Feb. 22.

Mountain Cats drop out of divisional after falling to Charlo

The Clark Fork Mountain Cats boys made school history by being the first team as a co-op to travel to the Western B Divisional Tournament for basketball, Feb. 21-23. Their first game at the Maroon Activities Center in Butte was a matchup against Manhattan Christian, where Manhattan Christian won, 67-25, and went on to win the championship game over Arlee, 63-51.

Mineral County Court Report

Feb. 21, Thomas Allen Fieber, insufficient visability, signal lamps

Super Heroes and Princesses party in Alberton

Super Hero’s and Princesses gathered at the Alberton Elementary School on Saturday for a little tea party with games and entertainment. The program was hosted by the Alberton Afterschool Program, the PEAK Foundation and with funding from the Headwaters Foundation.

Little Guys warm up at Superior mixer

Four Little Guy Wrestling teams met in Superior on Thursday to open the 2019 season.

Alberton man's truck struck by BNSF train

A pickup truck was struck by a train just west of the Cyr Exit on Tuesday morning, Feb. 19. The incident occurred at the railroad crossing off Daigle Lane. The driver was Roy Shutter, who graduated from Alberton High School and joined the Navy in 2012.

Legals February 27, 2019

Amy M. Scott Smith, Esq. WORDEN THANE P.C. Attorneys at Law 321 W. Broadway St., Ste. 300 Missoula, MT 59802-4142 Telephone: (406) 721-3400 Facsimile: (406) 721-6985 Email:ascottsmith@wordenthane.com Attorneys for Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, SANDERS COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: MICHAEL THANE, Deceased. DEPT. No. 2 PROBATE NO. DP-19-05 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to TIM THANE, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at c/o Worden Thane P.C., 321 W. Broadway St., Ste., 300, Missoula, MT 59802-4142, or filed with the Clerk of the above Court. DATED this 13th day of February, 2019. /s/ Tim Thane c/o Worden Thane P.C. 321 W. Broadway St., Ste. 300 Missoula, MT 59802-4142 WORDEN THANE P.C. Attorneys for Personal Representative By: /s/ Amy M. Scott Smith Amy M. Scott Smith, Esq. Published in the Clark Fork Valley Press on February 27 and March 6 and March 13, 2019. MNAXLP

Mary Johnson

Mary C Johnson, 87, of Plains, Mont., passed away Wednesday, Feb 6, 2019, at home with her daughter Mina and son-in-law Jim at her side.

Time to renew funding for invasive species program

If zebra mussels are allowed to gain a foothold in Montana waters, it could cost Montanans hundreds of millions of dollars per year.

Horsemen, Savage Heat, Devils fall short of divisional

Coaches in Class C boys’ basketball in Montana would likely agree that the 14C District, which includes Sanders, Lake and Mineral county teams, is arguably the top conference in the class — when you consider the quality from top to bottom.

Trotters fall to Arlee in 14C District challenge game

Only two girls’ basketball teams from the 14C District advance to the second level of postseason play, and none of the three Sanders County were able to move on to the next level.

Blue Hawks face Deer Lodge to open divisional play

Defending state champion Bigfork and Missoula Loyola will have the No. 1 seeds going in the boys’ bracket in the Western B Divisional Basketball Tournament which unfolds Thursday morning at the Ronan Event Center. The tourney runs through Saturday night’s girls’ and boys’ championship games.

Lady Hawks tangle with Loyola in divisional opener

There is no “secret potion” for the Thompson Falls girls as they enter postseason play this week in the Western B Divisional Basketball Tournament at the Ronan Event Center. The Lady Hawks, seeded third from the 7B District, face talented and deep Missoula Loyola — for the third time this season — in the first round at 9:40 a.m. Thursday.

Region One wolf count discussed at Kalispell meeting

The sportsmen’s meeting held in Kalispell on Jan. 30 drew 400 plus attendees. We would like to thank the area sportsmen and women, the Foundation for Wildlife Management, Montana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Montana Fish, Widlife & Parks for being there. It was a very passionate, concerned crowd who were frustrated with the ungulate population counts in Region One, located in Northwestern Montana.

New store brings warmth to lonesome Lonepine

On a bleak, winter drive down Highway 28 from Elmo to Plains, there is suddenly a small splash of color ahead in the gray. It is something you would take for granted in most places. But in Lonepine, a community about six miles north of Hot Springs that lost its zip code years ago, a sign that simply says “Open” is a welcome sight.

Snow blitz features 'Clayton Street Angel'

In a week where snow seemed to be the story in Sanders County, a severe outlook of neighborliness has broken out.

Superior Town Pump receives 'Most Improved' award

The Town Pump/Flying J Travel Plaza in Rocker was recently received the prestigious Diamond Dealer Award from Pilot/Flying J. This is the fourth year in a row that the Town Rocker Town Pump/Flying J has received this designation. The Town Pump/Pilot Travel Plaza in Lolo, Montana also received the Diamond Dealer Award. This was the first year the Lolo location received the award.

Avalanche closes I-90 for 27 hours

While skiers at Lookout Pass Ski Area were enjoying nearly 50 inches of new snow last week, emergency crews were kept busy dealing with a series of avalanches along Interstate 90. The first two snow slides occurred on Wednesday, Feb. 13 — both in the westbound lanes. One was a mile east of the Montana/Idaho border and the other was at Mile Marker 33.5 around 2:40 p.m. By 4:30 p.m., Interstate 90 was closed at St. Regis, which stranded hundreds of vehicles.

Friends say goodbye as county worker Shirley Iwata retires

Shirley Iwata has been a familiar face around the Mineral County Courthouse for many years. Over that time, she’s held several positions and now she has added a new one to her list, that of being “retired”. Shirley is now 70 and officially retired on Jan. 31. She wanted to retire while she was in good health and could enjoy more of life’s adventures.

Lady Cats third at 13C District; CF boys in challenge

Basketball district tournaments are a time when high school memories are made, and Clark Fork Mountain Cat senior Korey Radford has one for his scrapbook. In the consolation game at the 13C District Tournament against Victor last Saturday, the teams were neck-and-neck throughout the game. With 34.7 seconds on the clock, Radford made a bucket, bringing the Cats within 53-52. Then Clark Fork sophomore Aaron Waddle got a steal on the inbounds pass, giving the Cats another possession. After a time out, Radford threw up the final basket with 16.2 second left for the win, 54-53.

Community Notes

There will be a County Spelling Bee on Feb. 26 starting at 6 p.m. at St. Regis School.

Legals February 20, 2019

LEGAL NOTICE Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) seeks public comment on a proposal to amend the Thompson-Fisher Conservation Easement (EA) to remove 1.63 acres of developed land and replace it with 5 acres of undeveloped, upland and riparian habitat along the Little Thompson River. This land exchange and accompanying CE amendment would resolve an encroachment issue on the CE land. The developed land on the CE involves seven different parcels of State School Trust Land managed by DNRC. Each parcel is adjacent to the conservation easement and lies within the Thompson River valley. The DNRC parcels are leased for cabin sites and they include various structures or other improvements that encroach onto the CE. Weyerhaeuser has agreed to remove the 1.63 acres of developed land from the easement and add 5 acres of undeveloped land which is adjacent to existing CE land, for a net gain to the easement property of 3.37 acres. The 5-acre parcel to be added to the CE is currently managed by Weyerhaeuser as forestland and this proposal will ensure that it will be managed in the same manner in the future. No immediate changes in land use would occur because of this amendment either on the land removed from or added to the CE. No money would be exchanged to complete the proposed amendment. The comment period extends for 30 days. Written comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on March 15, 2019. The draft environmental assessment is available at the FWP office, 490 N. Meridian Rd., Kalispell; Montana State Library, 1515 E 6th Ave., Helena; FWP State Headquarters, 1420 E 6th Ave., Helena; the FWP website at http://fwp.mt.gov/news/publicNotices/environmentalAssessments/acquisitionsTradesAndLeases/. A copy of the plan may also be obtained by contacting the FWP Kalispell area office at 406-752-5501 or by emailing ktempel@mt.gov, and available for viewing at all local libraries. Please send all written comments to either of the following addresses: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks; Attn: Kris Tempel, Thompson- Fisher EA; 490 N. Meridian Road; Kalispell, MT 59901; ktempel@mt.gov Published in the Clark Fork Valley Press on February 20 and March 6, 2019. MNAXLP

Medicaid expansion allows hospital to improve offerings Program set to expire in July unless renewed by Legislature

Clark Fork Valley Hospital (CFVH) President/CEO Dr. Greg Hanson is enthusiastic when he explains how the Medicaid Expansion plan passed by the 2015 legislature has benefitted service and health outcomes in Sanders County, and its economic impact county- and state-wide.

Pickup struck my BNSF train west of Cyr Exit off I-90

A pickup truck was struck by a train just west of the Cyr Exit on Tuesday morning, Feb. 19. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. at the railroad crossing off Daigle Lane. An unidentified male was driving a white pickup truck when he was struck dead center and dragged a half a mile down the tracks by a Burlington Northern Santa Fe locomotive.

Mountain Cats win challenge game, bound for Western C Divisional

The Clark Fork Mountain Cats just made history by making it to the Western C Divisional Tournament in Butte as the Alberton/Superior co-op. They won their challenge game against the Seeley-Swan Blackhawks on Monday in Frenchtown, 56-44, to give them second place at the 13C District Tournament. The Cats won the third-place game, edging Victor 54-53 on Saturday. Darby won the championship game over Seeley-Swan, 65-38. Since Clark Fork and Seeley-Swan had not met in the tournament, the Cats were able to challenge for the second-place trophy and a berth in the Western C Divisional. In Monday’s win over Seeley-Swan, Bryan Mask led the Cats with 15 points, Carson Callison had 13, Aaron Waddle 12, Michael Spence 11 and Danner Haskins 5.

Mountain Cats win challenge game, bound for Western C Divisional

The Clark Fork Mountain Cats just made history by making it to the Western C Divisional Tournament in Butte as the Alberton/Superior co-op. They won their challenge game against the Seeley-Swan Blackhawks on Monday in Frenchtown, 56-44. The Cats earned third place at the 13C District Tournament, edging Victor 54-53 on Saturday. Darby won the championship game over Seeley-Swan, 65-38. Since Clark Fork and Seeley-Swan had not met in the tournament, the Cats were able to challenge for a berth in the Western C Divisional. In Monday’s win over Seeley-Swan, Bryan Mask led the Cats with 15 points, Carson Callison had 13, Aaron Waddle 12, Michael Spence 11 and Danner Haskins 5.

Nearly 50 traffic incidents reported in Mineral County

Nearly 50 incidents were reported by the Montana Highway Patrol in Mineral County from Feb. 4 through Monday morning on Feb. 11. Adverse weather continues to pound the area with heavy snow and high winds — creating hazardous driving conditions. There were also two-hour school delays for Mineral County schools on Feb. 4. Statewide, there were more than 80 slide-offs and 180 crashes reported by the Highway Patrol on Feb. 4.

Weekly Roundup

Wearing vintage Superior School uniforms, the Clark Fork Mountain Cats faced the Valley Christian Eagles on Feb. 5. It was Senior Night in Superior where graduating players were honored along with their parents. Seniors leaving the courts this year are Sophia Krutilla, Madison Mask, Margaret Parkin, all basketball players from Superior, as well as pep band member Jonna Warnken. Alberton players include Korey Radford and Michael Spence.

Seniors say goodbye to home court

St. Regis held Senior Night last Saturday to honor athletes and parents for their dedication to school sports. One senior from the boys team and three girls shared the honor on the court in between the varsity girls and boys basketball game against Lincoln. Where Lincoln seniors also received balloons from St. Regis.

James Adams

James H. Adams, 77, was called home to the loving arms of his Heavenly Father on Feb. 2, 2019.

Library drops fines in exchange for food donations

As of Feb. 1, the Mineral County Library will no longer charge fines for overdue library items and all overdue books currently on patrons accounts have been removed. Instead, when books and other items are overdue, people are being asked to bring non-perishable food items to the library in lieu of fines. Which in turn will be donated to the local food bank. However, charges for lost or damaged books will remain the same.

Mineral County wrestlers 2nd at state

Trey Green from Superior took fourth place at 182 pounds at the All-Class State Wrestling Tournamnent at MetraPark in Billings last Friday and Saturday.

Clark Fork Junior High girls place third at Arlee tournament

On Saturday, Feb. 9, the Clark Fork Mountain Cat Junior High girls’ team placed third during a tournament in Arlee. Six teams traveled to the event where the Cats lost their first game to the St. Regis Lady Tigers by one point, 22-21. They played St. Regis again later in the day and won, 37-17. In their second game, they played Plains and won by 15 points. During the season they had lost to Plains twice.

Christina Haskell

Christina May Haskell (Chrissy) received her wings for heaven on Feb. 6, 2019.

Sparks, Thilmony, Vanderwall earn state wrestling medals

Three Sanders County wrestlers were place winners at the Montana High School Association All-Class State Wrestling Tournament held last Friday and Saturday at MetraPark in Billings.

14C District Tournament unfolds Thursday in Pablo

Arlee boys’ and girls’ team will have the top seeds going into the 14C District Tournament this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14-16 in Pablo.

Lady Hawks fall to Mission; host Bigfork for Senior Night

Playing without the services of 6-foot sophomore Megan Baxter, the Thompson Falls girls’ basketball team fell behind Mission early last Thursday at St. Ignatius, and the Lady Bulldogs posted a 53-38 non-district win.

The right call to make if you suspect a stroke: 911

The lasting effects of a stroke can be very different depending on how fast a patient receives treatment. Advances in treatment are helping more people survive stroke without serious disability. But these treatments are only used in a narrow window of time four and a half hours after the known start of symptoms.

Brinson joins Plains Town Council

Plains Mayor Dan Rowan swore in newly-appointed town council member Mike Brinson during the February 4 regular meeting.

Chinese New Year Parade a 'Hot Springs delight'

It was a cold day Saturday in the hotbed for therapeutic mineral water in Hot Springs, a popular place to visit for Sanders County residents and folk from afar.

Citizens learn how to have a voice at Legislature

The biggest questions from the audience at last Friday’s “Citizenship 101” workshop in Paradise were “How can we know what bills are proposed, which ones affect us, and when and how to comment on them” when there are thousands on the docket?

SC Fair Board service 'labor of love' for Smith

Roberta Smith of Trout Creek has been on the all-volunteer Sanders County Fair Board for most of the past 18 years. One big reason is this: she loves fairs.

Legals February 13, 2019

The Sanders County Educational Services Cooperative will soon destroy special education/speech-language therapy records of former students who have been out of school for approximately 8 years, or who will reach the age of 26 by June 1st, 2019. Former students may contact the Sanders County Educational Services Cooperative, P.O. Box 1448, Thompson Falls, MT 59873 within sixty days of this notice if they wish to obtain the information contained in them. Please be reminded that these records may be needed for social security benefits or other purposes. The information to be destroyed shall NOT include data collected on a routine basis that is maintained on all school children (such as the student's name, address, telephone number, grade level completed/year completed). The data to be destroyed shall include information regarding identification, location, evaluation, and other items directly related to special education services which the student received. Persons having questions about this process or wishing to request that special education/speech-language therapy records be destroyed may contact the Sanders County Educational Services Cooperative at 406-827-3007 for assistance. Published on February 13 and February 20, 2019 in the Valley Press and Mineral Independent. MNAXLP

June Sanks

June Irene Sanks was born in a small farm house near Hinsdale, Montana on July 23, 1929 and passed away on Jan. 17, 2019 at St Luke Long Term Care Facility in Ronan, Montana. At the age of four June’s family left eastern Montana and made their way to Sanders County and found a home on the western end of the “Eddy Flats” east of Thompson Falls. She rode the bus for 12 years to school and graduated from Thompson Falls High School in 1947.

Vanderwall, Thilmony lead teammates into state tourney

With each having one Western B-C Divisional tournament champion, Plains/Hot Springs and Thompson Falls/Noxon teams will send a total of nine wrestlers to the Class B-C State Tournament this Friday and Saturday at the Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings.

Hot Springs put the heat on Horsemen, Devils

What is the hottest basketball team in Sanders County right now? It would be hard to argue that the Hot Springs boys have raised the temperature of their recent games. They are coming off a 2-0 weekend with impressive victories over county rivals Plains and Noxon.

Plains hoops fan in training

Ze Merry Maries a capella group together for 10 years

“It all started with a story on NPR in 2008,” says Deb Achatz of Trout Creek, who first dreamed up the area’s long-time comedy a capella group, Ze Merry Maries. She was struck by a piece saying that performance art was not taught in schools as much as it used to be.

County snowplow fire may cause some plowing delays

A fire starting in the engine compartment of a parked snowplow truck destroyed that vehicle and caused substantial damage to the Beaver Creek county shop building and other snowplows Sunday, Jan. 27.

Chinese New Year celebrated this Saturday in Hot Springs

If you have not seen a 30-foot-long dragon in person, it’s time you did.

Jurek's ice sculptures bring attention to MT wolf issues

Josh Jurek has wolves on his mind.

Solving puzzles could lead to Korean trip

“Jane is molistic and slatty,” is a nonsensical sentence, but what does it mean? This is just one piece of many puzzles presented to students who participate in the North American Computational Linguistics Olympiad (NACLO).

Superior Junior High School demolished

It only took three days to tear down the aging Superior Junior High building located across the road from the Mineral County Fair Grounds. The demolition started on Tuesday, Jan. 29 and was completely gone and hauled away by Thursday.

Mineral County Justice Court

Jan. 19, Michael Leeman Bennett, speeding

Basketball a 'thrill' for foreign students

The Clark Fork Mountain Cats Boys basketball teams experienced a unique situation this year with five foreign exchange students participating in the sport this season. For some it was the first time they ever held a basketball or stepped onto a court.

Community Notes

The Mineral County Performing Arts Council presents Utah-based Otter Creek’s traditional and original folk and bluegrass tunes for a special Valentines Day Concert on Feb. 14 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Superior Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

St. Regis 2018-19 Semester 1 Honor Roll

Housing shortage continues to plague Mineral County

There was an open house in Superior at Maple Street Cottages last week. The two-bedroom, one-and-a-half bath rental units are available for seniors who are 62 years of age and older, and are on a fixed income. The hallway that leads from the front sitting room and kitchen are wide enough for wheelchairs and the shower is equipped for handicapped individuals. “We call these ‘aging in place’ units,” said Jim Morton with the Human Resource Council and he oversees programs in Mineral, Missoula and Ravalli counties.

St. Regis Schools employee nominated for LifeChanger of the Year

St. Regis Schools food services manager Dawn Palmer has been nominated for the 2018-2019 national LifeChanger of the Year award.

Green, Lapinski win titles at Western B-C Divisional

Two Superior/Alberton co-op Clark Fork wrestlers earned championships at the Western B-C Divisional tournament last Saturday at Thompson Falls High School.

Legals February 6, 2019

PUBLIC NOTICE This is to notify all interested parties that the Sanders County Council on Aging will be requesting financial assistance from the Montana Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration. The Council on Aging is applying for a Transportation Administrative/Operating grant in the amount of $158,241. The Council on Aging is also applying for capital funds to purchase two 13-passenger buses in the amount of (2x$64,807) for the Sanders County Transportation to utilize in its public transportation services. The grant is funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and administered by the Montana Department of Transportation. The application is on file at 203 Main Street, Hot Springs, MT. If requested, a public hearing will be held and public notice indicating the location, time and date of the hearing will be provided. For more information or for those who require accommodations for disabilities, contact the Council on Aging, 203 Main Street, PO Box 339, Hot Springs, MT, Telephone: 406-741-2343. Published in the Clark Fork Valley Press on February 6, 2019. MNAXLP

T-Falls Mayor Jerry Lacy steps in to 'keep things rolling'

When Jerry Lacy was appointed in November to fill the mayor’s seat vacated by Mark Sheets, he rejoined a team who had worked well together for years. He also inherited a veritable blizzard of projects to help steward through to their conclusion.

Modern medical rarity: Ronan teen contracts tetanus

Following what was initially a mysterious illness, one Ronan High School student is in the hospital due to a tetanus infection.