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Community Calendar

Dixon Senior Center

Commissioner race tops the local ballot

Mineral County has three county commissioners each elected to serve a 6-year term. Every two years, its residents vote for retaining the current commissioner (if the commissioner wants to remain) or a changing of the guard.

Court Report

Sanders County Justice Court

Suspicious men were just trying to sell vacuums

May 13

A mixed bag for Sanders County events

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related concerns have led to many events being cancelled in Sanders County.

Traffic stop raises suspicion of sex trafficking, but no charges

A traffic stop by Montana Highway Patrol in Sanders County left troopers suspecting the people were involved in sex trafficking.

Tribe closes hunting for cow, calf moose

Declining moose populations in Western Montana have led the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe to close hunting of antlerless animals on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

No headline

Pool Preparations

Pandemic doesn’t put brakes on Old School House Rock car show

A popular family summer event that recently made the ‘COVID-19 Cut’ is taking place Saturday, June 6.

Operation Mariposa delivers potatoes to those in need

It is a root vegetable native to the Americas, a starchy tuber of the plant Solanum tuberosum, and the plant itself, a perennial in the family Solanaceae.

Plains VFW Auxiliary honors its own

There is no questioning the commitment of the Plains VFW Post 3596 Auxiliary.

Memorial Day tribute

St. Regis students make best of 2020’s unusual graduation

Although cliché, the theme of graduating classes across the country this year was to have a “2020 vision.”

Louise Tenney Cochran, 95

Louise Cochran passed away peacefully in her sleep at home with her family on May 20, 2020 in Missoula, Montana.

Daines honors Sanders County mask makers

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines recognized the Victory Sewers of Sanders County for their tremendous impact on the state of Montana.

Hot Springs residents depend on Buck’s Grocery

The values of hard work and acting in concert are on display at Buck’s Grocery in Hot Springs.

Alberton High celebrates ‘different’ type of graduation

When it was all said and done, the 2020 Alberton High School graduates weren’t going to let social distancing rules dictate every aspect of their ceremony Sunday afternoon.

21st century treasure hunt: Geocaching

Springtime in Montana provides ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. Now is the season for many to take to the forests to hunt for coveted morel mushrooms, or prized deer or elk sheds.

Sheep Mountain Lodge holds tipi raising

Sheep Mountain Lodge sits perched upon the bank of the Clark Fork River just downstream of Superior on what the owner, Perry Jones, calls his favorite stretch of water for fishing.

Mineral Co. commissioners issue position on forest health

Montana’s elected officials will be expected to focus on economic recovery as soon as COVID-19 loosens its grip on the state.

Hiawatha bike trail opens May 22

The Route of the Hiawatha – a scenic mountain bike trail that runs along the Old Milwaukee Railroad bed, opens Friday, May 22.

Community calendar

Plains Public Library

Blackfoot helps schools with remote learning

As part of its ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Blackfoot Communications is committed to helping its communities lessen any challenges during this difficult time.

Law enforcement keeping busy in Mineral County

May 6

Verbally abusive relationship, Part 2

This is the second part of a two-part series on verbal abuse. In this article I will address some ways to manage verbal abuse.

Superior Lions seek applicants for Rodeo Princess

The Superior Lions Club is seeking applications for both a 2020 Junior Rodeo Princess and Rodeo Princess.

Loge, French vie to be House District 14 legislator

House District 14 in Montana encompasses a gigantic chunk of real estate, from from Eastern Plains to Lookout Pass. Then, St. Regis to Western Missoula. Evaro Hill to Valley Creek onward to Dixon. Then Camas Prairie to Hot Springs and Lone Pine.

Three candidates running for Senate District 7 seat

With Montana District 7 State Senator Jenifer Fielder due to term out Jan. 4, 2021, three candidates in Northwest Montana are in the running for the seat.

DUI task force gives aid to H.S. seniors scholarships

As of June 2019, Montana has 35 approved county-level DUI Task Forces serving 40 counties.

Legals for May, 13 2020

Clerk of Courts Office prepares for Mineral County election

Sanders, Mineral voters pick school trustees; St. Regis levy passes

The ballots are back and the voters have spoken in Sanders and Mineral counties on a number of school-related elections.

Online voter registration effort launched

Last week, an online portal was launched to encourage voter registration.

Deputies keep busy in Mineral County

April 15

The Trail Rail Run is still on!

The race is on! At least for in-state runners, so lace up those sneakers and refresh that training schedule the Trail Rail Run is less than a month away. Following an email-based survey sent out to race participants and volunteers Trail Rail Run Director Tyler Cheesman has elected to move forward with the 2020 race.

Food for Thought: Are You in a verbally abusive relationship?

This is the first of a two-part series on verbal abuse. In this article I will discuss some of the dynamics and the various types of verbal abuse. In the next article I will discuss how to handle verbal abuse when it occurs to you.

Mother’s Day a boost to Superior flower shop

Mother’s Day is typically the mother of all flower sales for florists each year. That is both a good but tiring promise for Jackie Callison, owner of Jackie’s Flowers and Espresso in Superior.

Superior Food Bank steps up and meets needs during crisis

With the recent COVID-19 related job layoffs and families seeking unemployment benefits Superior’s Food Bank has also been increasing their hours and providing extra assistance to those in need.

Sanders County Coalition battles child abuse

Crystal Buchanan, her husband and daughter had their work cut out for them last week when they placed 875 pinwheels in the grassy strip in downtown Plains.

Montana State-Tribal Committee supports tribal COVID-1 restrictions

We, the below signed members of the State-Tribal Relations Committee, the Montana Legislature’s liaison with tribal governments, write to encourage the public, residents and nonresidents alike, to comply with restrictions tribal governments adopt to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Candidate Al Olszewski receives passionate support from his sister

I’m biased, but even if Dr. Al Olszewski wasn’t my big brother, what other candidate would buy a bus, put his face on it, and drive it around our large state of Montana?

Sen. Cuffe supports Fielder for Public Service Commission

Senator Jennifer Fielder is my choice for Public Service Commission, and I think you will like her, too.

Community gets speed limit reduced on Montana 135

How many times have you been entering St. Regis on Montana 135 and as you crest the hill the flashing sign reports you are going 50 or even 60 miles per hour?

Plains residents orchestrate own ‘Spartan Race’ runs as scheduled

The COVID-19 pandemic may have forced the cancellation of countless events in Montana and across the world, but Plains resident Mike Tatum didn’t let it stop him from putting on an abbreviated version of the famed Spartan Race.

Thompson Falls Schools welcomes Scully, Schrock

When students return to school in Thompson Falls in a little more than three months, they will be greeted by a new superintendent and high school principal.

House fire leaves Plains couple hospitalized

A house fire in Plains Sunday night has left a married couple hospitalized.

Western Montana mourns passing of Hot Springs child

A little girl from Hot Springs who inspired thousands of people across Western Montana as she battled brain cancer during the past year has died.

Harlee Joanne Salmi, 6

Harlee Joanne Salmi, 6, earned her wings and flew to heaven on May 6, 2020 after a year long battle with cancer.

St. Regis finds innovative way to honor its Class of 2020

With senior classes missing out on so much over the course of the COVID-19 outbreak St. Regis Schools Fan Club wanted to find a special way to give these students recognition and honor their hard work.

Mineral Co. schools plan their next steps

As COVID-19 restrictions are eased, there is a light at the end of the tunnel after several weeks of home-confinement as life is beginning to return to normal. Or, the “new” normal we have been told to expect.

Milder winter means more promise for elk, deer

Just because the 2020 U.S. Census was on ice waiting out the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order doesn’t mean ‘individuals’ are not being counted.

Two bald eagle chicks relocated

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks worked in close partnership with the Montana Raptor Conservation Center to relocate two orphaned bald eagle chicks last week in southwest Montana.

Hummingbirds make welcome return

Iconic St. Regis Memorial Day flea market canceled by COVID

Memorial Day weekend in St. Regis, Montana means traffic backing up at its four-way stop in what is usually a sleepy little town. It means kettle corn and concession stand burgers.

Does worrying help?

Today many people are worried about the COVID-19 virus. What does the future hold? Will I get sick or worse? Will I lose my retirement because of the stock market? When can I resume a “normal“ life?

Missoula residents get prison time

Missoula meth

Regional Housing Task Force is looking for way to fight shortage

The housing shortage in Mineral and Sanders counties isn’t new, just as it has been an ongoing problem across Montana.

Sanders County schools finalize year-end plans

School officials in Sanders County have mostly finalized plans for the end of the 2019-20 school year.

Justice Court

Sanders County

National Bison Range remains closed

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service temporarily suspended public visitation and use at the National Bison Range April 9 and there is no word on when it may reopen.

Student running flower business

Although school has been out for students, St. Regis freshman Macy Hill has a morning routine she maintains.

First responders make youth’s birthday very memorable

How do you tell an almost 8-year-old that he will not be able to have a birthday party?

Thompson Falls’ High Bridge hits anniversary mark

Northwest Montana is blessed with countless destinations and sights to see, but one of the more family friendly ones is the Historic High Bridge in Thompson Falls.

Sanders, Mineral voters pick school trustees; St. Regis levy passes

The ballots are back and the voters have spoken in Sanders and Mineral counties on a number of school-related elections.

Legals for May, 6 2020

Missing Spokane man found dead in Mineral County

The search for an elderly missing man from Washington ended Monday evening when his body was found.

Mineral County authorities search for missing man

Mineral County officials are searching for a 74-year-old Washington man after he was reported missing from his home in Spokane April 29.