Stories for December 2020

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Wednesday, December 30

December 30, 2020 midnight

Kvelve's Comments: It can't get worse, can it?

Does anyone out there feel like I do about 2020?

December 30, 2020 midnight

Mineral County road killed animals can be collected

A few years ago, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks developed a system for people to legally recover road-killed animals for human consumption...

December 30, 2020 midnight

Paradise sewer opponents undaunted despite legal setback

Despite a recent setback, members of the Paradise sewer construction project say they have not...

December 30, 2020 midnight

CSKT water compact bill becomes law

U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester celebrated their bipartisan bill, the “Montana Water Rights Protection Act” becoming law...

Northwest Montana anglers enjoy Sunriser family ice fishing derby
December 30, 2020 midnight

Northwest Montana anglers enjoy Sunriser family ice fishing derby

The Peterson family arose at 4 a.m. last Saturday and made the long drive from Thompson Falls to Smith Lake in the Flathead Valley...

Returning champ Thilmony gives Blue Hawks high hopes
December 30, 2020 midnight

Returning champ Thilmony gives Blue Hawks high hopes

With a returning state champion leading the way, the outlook for the Thompson Falls High Blue Hawks wrestling team...

Plains-Hot Springs wrestling squad features three state qualifiers
December 30, 2020 midnight

Plains-Hot Springs wrestling squad features three state qualifiers

Returning experience and an exciting new beginning are the hallmarks of this year’s Plains-Hot Springs wrestling program...

Strong returners give Clark Fork wrestling team optimism for 2021
December 30, 2020 midnight

Strong returners give Clark Fork wrestling team optimism for 2021

While some of those championship-caliber grapplers have graduated, an up-and-coming group of underclassmen promise to make 2021 another good year for the Mountain Cats...

December 30, 2020 midnight

Food for Thought: What does Christmas mean to you?

Christmas means different things...

December 30, 2020 midnight

University of Montana fall honor roll

At the University of Montana, 2,540 undergraduate students made the fall semester 2020 Dean’s List or President’s 4.0 List...

December 30, 2020 midnight

Hot Springs student winner in state essay competition

The Montana Department of Labor & Industry recently announced a Hot Springs student and a team from Thompson Falls High School were honored...

December 30, 2020 midnight

Hot Spring's Rasmussen nominated for U. S. Merchant Marine Academy

U.S. Senator Jon Tester recently announced he is nominating 19 Montana students to be admitted...

December 30, 2020 midnight

Montana expands parenting website; includes info for foster parents

Officials with the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) announced recently the expansion of ParentingMontana.org...

State fish biologist discusses Clark Fork River pollution
December 30, 2020 midnight

State fish biologist discusses Clark Fork River pollution

The Clark Fork River has long sweeps through both Mineral and Sanders counties where it touches its residents in one way or another...

December 30, 2020 midnight

Montana State University fall honor rolls

Montana State University has announced its undergraduate honor rolls for fall semester 2020...

December 30, 2020 midnight

Sanders County Justice Court

Hunter Blaine Stutzke, fail to purchase trip permit immediately upon arrival in state...

Alberton Christmas market enjoys successful opening
December 30, 2020 midnight

Alberton Christmas market enjoys successful opening

It makes sense that they wanted to keep this first-year experiment low key just to test the waters...

It's a bird, it's a plane, no it's Santa Claus
December 30, 2020 midnight

It's a bird, it's a plane, no it's Santa Claus

At first it appeared as just a red dot against an otherwise chilly, blue-sky Montana day...

Coronavirus vaccine arrives in Sanders County
December 30, 2020 midnight

Coronavirus vaccine arrives in Sanders County

The first wave of a nationwide plan to control the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic has arrived...

Hot Springs basketball teams must replace top players in 2021
December 30, 2020 midnight

Hot Springs basketball teams must replace top players in 2021

Despite the loss of the Western 14C Conference’s leading scorer from last year...

Wednesday, December 23

Cheesman takes reigns of St. Regis girls basketball
December 23, 2020 midnight

Cheesman takes reigns of St. Regis girls basketball

A scrappy, never quit attitude was the hallmark of last year’s young St. Regis High School girls...

December 23, 2020 midnight

New law promotes veteran recovery programs

The “Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act” will help create treatment and therapy opportunities for veterans on public lands...

Plains volunteers create Merry Christmas for young and old
December 23, 2020 midnight

Plains volunteers create Merry Christmas for young and old

There, inside the old Plains school house on Montana 200, was a sight to behold, especially for the young at heart...

December 23, 2020 midnight

Food for Thought: How have you grown?

But with challenges and tribulations comes an opportunity to learn...

Santa Claus makes early visit to Plains
December 23, 2020 midnight

Santa Claus makes early visit to Plains

Santa Claus made an early visit to Plains...

Noxon School celebrates the season with Grinch Day
December 23, 2020 midnight

Noxon School celebrates the season with Grinch Day

Noxon School celebrated the season...

December 23, 2020 midnight

Sanders County Justice Court

Danny Allen Lindquist, operating without...

Tips for taking care of pets during winter
December 23, 2020 midnight

Tips for taking care of pets during winter

If it’s one thing that all of Mineral County and much of the state of Montana has in common, it’s we all love our pets

Plains Horsemen have big shoes to fill in 2021
December 23, 2020 midnight

Plains Horsemen have big shoes to fill in 2021

Plains High boys basketball head coach Tyrel Allen has some big roster spots...

Trotters hope team speed equals successful season
December 23, 2020 midnight

Trotters hope team speed equals successful season

The prognosis for success in the 2021 season is good for the group of juniors and sophomores...

December 23, 2020 midnight

Kvelve's Comments: Merry Christmas!

Others, who were skeptical of such things, scoffed at the notion and said it was clearly a UFO...

Mineral County says goodbye to long-time clerk of court
December 23, 2020 midnight

Mineral County says goodbye to long-time clerk of court

It’s been a heck of a ride for Kathleen Brown as Clerk of Court of Mineral County...

Wives' tales a harbinger of winter severity?
December 23, 2020 midnight

Wives' tales a harbinger of winter severity?

There are folklore indicators of winter predictions the Old Farmer’s Almanac shares and even with today’s technology some people will not budge...

Bootlegger Bar hosting free Christmas dinner
December 23, 2020 midnight

Bootlegger Bar hosting free Christmas dinner

Christmas Day from noon until the chow line is empty, there will be a free meal to anyone in the county regardless of age, income or number of family members at the Bootlegger Bar...

December 23, 2020 midnight

Letter writer hopes justice will prevail on Jan. 6

To my fellow Americans, those who believe in America...

Plains' Chisholm takes on role of "Scrooge" for school project
December 23, 2020 midnight

Plains' Chisholm takes on role of "Scrooge" for school project

If Ebenezer Scrooge had been as nice a guy as the one who assumed the character in the seventh grade...

Advisory issued to avoid eating fish in section of Clark Fork
December 23, 2020 midnight

Advisory issued to avoid eating fish in section of Clark Fork

Fish consumption guidance updated for portions of Clark Fork, Bitterroot and Blackfoot Rivers in western Montana.

Crash survivor reunited with man who helped save him
December 23, 2020 midnight

Crash survivor reunited with man who helped save him

Lawson, a Hot Springs schools paraprofessional, acknowledged the man’s first question, saying he did not know him.

Sanford to lead St. Regis boys basketball team
December 23, 2020 midnight

Sanford to lead St. Regis boys basketball team

There is good reason to think the 2021 season will be very promising for the St. Regis High boys...

December 23, 2020 midnight

Environmental groups urge reduction of plastics in garbage

More than 550 community and environmental advocacy groups...

Wednesday, December 16

Everett A. Aarestad
December 16, 2020 midnight

Everett A. Aarestad

Everett A. Aarestad, 90, of Superior, Montana, passed away on Nov. 20...

David Lee Beireis
December 16, 2020 midnight

David Lee Beireis

David Lee Beireis, 68, passed away...

Plains gets grant for new wastewater plant
December 16, 2020 midnight

Plains gets grant for new wastewater plant

Daines helps secure $5.1 million grant for Plains...

December 16, 2020 midnight

Kvelve's Comments: Another wacky week in life of Kvelve

For some reason, and it’s been going on my whole life, these things happen...

Sanders County toy makers go high tech
December 16, 2020 midnight

Sanders County toy makers go high tech

In a well-equipped Sanders County garage, two of those helpers, Richard and Danya Cotte are crafting...

Foundation is laid for Plains School expansion
December 16, 2020 midnight

Foundation is laid for Plains School expansion

On a cold and frosty day last week, the foundation was laid for a new era...

Loge reaches milestone in Red Cross donations
December 16, 2020 midnight

Loge reaches milestone in Red Cross donations

Denley Loge, St. Regis rancher and House District 14 Representative, is at a zenith with the American Red Cross...

December 16, 2020 midnight

Haugan annual snowmobile poker ride cancelled

The Annual $11,000 Super Poker Ride has been a staple in Mineral County on the last Saturday...

Horse Plains VFW hosts flag retirement ceremony
December 16, 2020 midnight

Horse Plains VFW hosts flag retirement ceremony

It was a time to say goodbye to a symbol they continue to honor with pride in what it represents.

Dick Stuart Dye
December 16, 2020 midnight

Dick Stuart Dye

Dick Stuart Dye, 79, passed away Nov. 26...

December 16, 2020 midnight

Sanders County Justice Court

Robert William Jr. Thompson, driving a motor vehicle while privilege to do so is suspended...

December 16, 2020 midnight

Plains man still appreciates VFW Auxiliary

In 1976 I was stationed aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sherman out of Boston...

December 16, 2020 midnight

Food for Thought: Holidays are a time for joy, forgiveness

Part of recovering from the past is to face the issue of forgiveness and make peace ...

St. Regis Christmas Bazaar receives warm welcome
December 16, 2020 midnight

St. Regis Christmas Bazaar receives warm welcome

From quilted bowl cozies to healing crystals, knitted hats and handmade soaps...

Seniors give Clark Fork boys basketball plenty of optimism
December 16, 2020 midnight

Seniors give Clark Fork boys basketball plenty of optimism

There is optimism abound in the Clark Fork (Alberton/Superior co-op) boys basketball team...

Clark Fork girls basketball team hopes to overcome loss of Reece
December 16, 2020 midnight

Clark Fork girls basketball team hopes to overcome loss of Reece

A young and relatively inexperienced Clark Fork Lady Mountain Cats team shocked...

Retired vet launches taxidermy shop in St. Regis
December 16, 2020 midnight

Retired vet launches taxidermy shop in St. Regis

A retired United States Air Force Master Sergeant turned taxidermist, Reynolds launched his new business...

Thompson Falls Lady Hawks have lofty expectations
December 16, 2020 midnight

Thompson Falls Lady Hawks have lofty expectations

An energetic coach and a solid group of proven players make for high expectations...

Thompson Falls boys basketball team has high hopes
December 16, 2020 midnight

Thompson Falls boys basketball team has high hopes

Optimism is aplenty in the Thompson Falls Blue Hawks boys basketball program...

December 16, 2020 midnight

St. Regis Senior Center offering sweet treats

Fundraising is no small effort and doing so in a year like 2020 has proven even more arduous...

December 16, 2020 midnight

Man dead, officer wounded in Trout Creek shooting

A man suspected of shooting at Northwest Montana law enforcement officers in Trout Creek Friday is dead...

December 16, 2020 midnight

Legals for December, 16 2020

Wednesday, December 9

December 9, 2020 3:15 a.m.

Mineral County lobbies against business shutdowns

The Mineral County Economic Development Corporation’s purpose is assisting...

County fairgrounds Christmas lights brighten Plains
December 9, 2020 midnight

County fairgrounds Christmas lights brighten Plains

A couple from Coeur d'Alene, Brandon and Kaley Cutsforth and their dogs Hank and Loretta were passing through Plains...

December 9, 2020 midnight

Food for Thought: The Desperation Point, depression and Christmas

While the holiday season brings joy and celebration for some, for others it is a time of isolation...

Thanksgiving dinner a big hit at Bootlegger's Bar
December 9, 2020 midnight

Thanksgiving dinner a big hit at Bootlegger's Bar

When David Barsotti, retired from the U.S. Marine Corp, approached Shannon Anderson, owner of the Bootlegger Bar...

December 9, 2020 midnight

Legals for December, 9 2020

December 9, 2020 midnight

Paradise sewer opponents continue fight against project

There’s been a lot of digging going on concerning the proposed Paradise sewer system but not a shovel...

December 9, 2020 midnight

Mineral County schools deal with COVID-19 issues

Due to rising COVID-19 cases throughout Mineral County some area school districts have had to...

12 Montana counties establish Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority
December 9, 2020 midnight

12 Montana counties establish Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority

Twelve Montana counties have officially founded the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority to advocate...

Conrad's Corner: The Job
December 9, 2020 midnight

Conrad's Corner: The Job

George knew that his job was important, he knew it was hard and serious...

Christmas card tradition still alive and well
December 9, 2020 midnight

Christmas card tradition still alive and well

Most everyone grew up with parents sending Christmas cards to friends and relatives...

Plains' Bean Bug wants to spread good food and cheer
December 9, 2020 midnight

Plains' Bean Bug wants to spread good food and cheer

They bill it as a “grab-and-go” type business. A quick stop for coffee, breakfast, lunch and...

Sheriff's Office home renamed for founder Mickey O'Brien
December 9, 2020 midnight

Sheriff's Office home renamed for founder Mickey O'Brien

But if it hadn’t been for Sheriff Micky O’Brien, it wouldn’t have...

December 9, 2020 midnight

Sanders County health, school officials hope to curb COVID-19

An upward surge in COVID-19 cases in Sanders County has school officials and local healthcare providers...

Mineral County Sheriff's deputy makes big drug bust
December 9, 2020 midnight

Mineral County Sheriff's deputy makes big drug bust

It was in the early hours of Halloween morning, Oct. 31, when an eastbound crew cab pickup...

Happy homecoming: Pumpkin reunited with owner
December 9, 2020 midnight

Happy homecoming: Pumpkin reunited with owner

Her name was Pumpkin, a four-year-old striped tabby cat covered with hints of orange...

December 9, 2020 midnight

Montana legislative leaders name committee chairs

The appointments indicate that pragmatic 'Solutions Caucus' Republicans will continue...

December 9, 2020 midnight

Kvelve's Comments: String some lights and enjoy the season

I’ve long suspected that if we are recycled souls, I may have been a chicken-soup promoting grandma...

December 9, 2020 midnight

LTE: Today’s Mines Must Obey Today’s Laws

Montana Supreme Court rejects company’s attempt to rely on outdated standards...

Stitch in Time club works overtime to make Christmas gifts
December 9, 2020 midnight

Stitch in Time club works overtime to make Christmas gifts

The sutures needed to be done rapidly and...

December 9, 2020 midnight

CSKT, feds launch pilot program to address MMIP

The goal of the project is to improve responses to emergent American Indian and Alaska Native missing person cases...

December 9, 2020 midnight

Sanders County Justice Court

Gari Norman Lester McGraw, criminal possession of dangerous...

December 9, 2020 midnight

University of Montana fall graduates

The University of Montana has 807 students who are...

Wednesday, December 2

University of Montana dominates 'Can the Cats' food drive
December 2, 2020 midnight

University of Montana dominates 'Can the Cats' food drive

The University of Montana and the Missoula community handily defeated ...

Plains Church on the Move serves Thanksgiving dinner
December 2, 2020 midnight

Plains Church on the Move serves Thanksgiving dinner

It wasn’t the scope of feeding thousands from a single basket of fish...

Plains Auxiliary VFW prepares gift boxes for soldiers
December 2, 2020 midnight

Plains Auxiliary VFW prepares gift boxes for soldiers

For members of the military who are on duty and not home for the holidays, Christmas...

December 2, 2020 midnight

Legals for December, 2 2020

Fire destroys RV, damages garage in Superior
December 2, 2020 midnight

Fire destroys RV, damages garage in Superior

Mineral County first responders tackled a RV fire early Saturday morning...

Cancer Network of Sanders County hosts annual lantern launch
December 2, 2020 midnight

Cancer Network of Sanders County hosts annual lantern launch

One after another the glowing bags, their sides marked with messages of love and remembrance...

December 2, 2020 midnight

Food for Thought: Develop Your Personal Negotiation Skills

Negotiating skills can help you manage different kinds of life situations...

December 2, 2020 midnight

Mineral County Chamber of Commerce set to hold election

Mineral County Chamber of Commerce...

Stock animals winter at Ninemile Depot and Ranger Station
December 2, 2020 midnight

Stock animals winter at Ninemile Depot and Ranger Station

As the leaves change color and the geese fly south, Forest Service mules and pack horses arrive...

Missoula man cleared of murder charge arrested in drug sting
December 2, 2020 midnight

Missoula man cleared of murder charge arrested in drug sting

A Northwest Montana man cleared of murder charges earlier this year...

Season extended for Elk B license holders
December 2, 2020 midnight

Season extended for Elk B license holders

Some Elk B license holders will have extended hunting opportunity...

December 2, 2020 midnight

Dead woman found at Big Arm State Park

A person walking a dog at Big Arm State Park last Wednesday discovered the body of a dead woman...

December 2, 2020 midnight

Prison time for former Flathead Joint Board employee

A former Flathead Joint Board of Control employee accused of embezzling hundreds of thousands...

December 2, 2020 midnight

Trout Creek School First Quarter Honor Roll

Here is the first quarter honor roll for the Trout Creek...

Phyllis Kujath Dana White
December 2, 2020 midnight

Phyllis Kujath Dana White

Phyllis E. White, 73, passed away Sunday, Nov. 15...

December 2, 2020 midnight

Kvelve's Comments: Letter to Santa

Dear Santa, I know it’s a bit early...

December 2, 2020 midnight

Sander County Justice Court

Stephen Joseph Rosenthal, reckless...

Johnny Warren Evins
December 2, 2020 midnight

Johnny Warren Evins

On Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, the Evins family...

December 2, 2020 midnight

Montana DNRC plans cross-boundary forest projects

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation next month will begin...