Wednesday, September 30
Food for Thought: What can pets do for us?
Pet ownership can be one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have.
Sanders County Justice Court
Sept. 16, Jimmy Lee McCracken, Habitual offender operating motor vehicle
Planning Ahead for Disaster Recovery
Every five years the Federal Emergency Management Agency requires counties to update their pre-disaster mitigation plans to qualify for both pre-disaster and post-disaster mitigation assistance.
Mineral County law roundup
Deputies responded to an assault in St. Regis case is still on going.
Free online classes available for caregivers
There are several upcoming online classes which can provide powerful tools for caregivers, including those who take care of their parents and grandparents raising grandchildren.
Sanders County celebrates 4-H week Oct. 4-10
Every year, National 4-H Week sees millions of youth, parents, volunteers and alumni come together to celebrate the many positive youth development opportunities offered by 4-H.
Montana FWP's Bradley honored for work with wildlife
Each year, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks presents the Governor’s Awards to two different departments that exemplify their mission.
I-90 bridge work continues in county
Most everyone is putting their lawn furniture away.
Plains gridders celebrate homecoming with big win
On a rainy night when holding onto the football became a challenge in itself, Plains High running back Gavin Regalado had the answer.
Hot Springs volleyball drops hard-fought match to Seeley
On paper, this shaped up to be a dandy of a high school girls volleyball match.
Trout Creek bridge open to all travelers
The Clark Fork River Bridge near Trout Creek is fully open.
St. Regis volleyball collects first win
This was the one that was bound to happen and a glimpse of future potential for the young St. Regis Lady Tigers volleyball team.
Amid COVID-19, St. Regis School BPA moves forward
As local school districts diligently navigate new restrictions and health code regulations due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, sports and extracurricular activities look starkly different this year. This new reality is also true for the St. Regis Business Professionals of America chapter.
Plains residents seek crackdown on speeders
For a group of concerned Clayton Street residents, enough is enough. The spark that triggered their call to action came earlier this month when a speeding motorist narrowly missed hitting a young child riding a bicycle.
Plains resident proof good things come in small packages
Some people accept defeat. Others make lemonade out of lemons. Such is the case with Plains resident Jennay Ovitt, who has turned life’s lemons into something very palatable. As a result, she and many others may soon be able to do the same.
Legals for September, 30 2020
Legals for September, 30 2020
Fall open burn season begins Oct. 1
Fall open burning season begins Oct. 1 and runs through Nov. 30.
Plains crowns homecoming queen, king
Plains homecoming queen is junior Adelle Ercanbrack and king senior Tucker Foster. (Chuck Bandel/Valley Press)
Stevens retires after 39 years of shepherding Silver Dollar Inn
Sept. 25, front desk clerk Naomi Stevens donned her name tag for one last shift.
Clark Fork football team bounces back
One thing for sure about this year’s Clark Fork football team is that when they get knocked down, they get back up and do some knocking down of their own.
Thompson Falls football team keeps rolling
The Blue Hawk football machine keeps rolling along.
Area volleyball roundup: Clark Fork wins a thriller
A hard-earned weekend split, highlighted by five-game thriller on the road left the Clark Fork High volleyball team with a 3-3 season mark.
Kvelve's Comments: There oughta be a law
There ought to be a law.
Plains man recovering from kidney transplant surgery
Francis Church, a newspaper editor from years ago, is credited with the saying, “yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus”.
Superior man pleads guilty to assaulting teen at county fair
A Superior Army veteran accused of assaulting a teenage boy at the Mineral County Fair and Rodeo more than a year ago because the youth didn’t remove his hat during the national anthem has pleaded guilty.
LTE-Rumor has it there's a critical election coming Nov. 3
Rumor has it there's a critical election coming Nov. 3. Rumor has it the very fabric of our Republic and U.S. Constitution is at stake. Rumor has it your vote should count only with proper validity.
Wednesday, September 23
Sanders, Mineral counties to craft housing plan
A few months ago, residents of Mineral and Sanders counties were asked to fill out a survey via social media, word of mouth and from an article in this newspaper on individual opinions concerning housing.
Dr. William Jerome 'Jake' Doyle
Dr. William Jerome “Jake” Doyle
Trout Unlimited backs Clark Fork restoration project
The illustrious Clark Fork, Montana’s largest river that stretches the length of Mineral County.
Rail summit discusses passenger service in Southern Montana
Railroads played a large role in the development of the United States from the industrial revolution in the Northeast
Alzheimer's Foundation to host free virtual workshop
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America will host a free virtual educational conference as part of its national Educating America Tour to help Montana residents affected by Alzheimer’s disease during the COVID-19 crisis on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
Legals for September, 23 2020
Lady Savage Heat win on senior night
Coming off a hard loss to league rival Charlo last week in Montana high school volleyball, their first of the year, Hot Springs figured to take it out on visiting St. Regis.
Time to end the sewer nightmare
When I read the Opinion article in the Valley Press by Dan Risland, I realized that there may be a lot of us here in Paradise that are going through a lot of stress and worry as a result of this ongoing, and unwelcomed, sewer project here.
Sanders County Justice Court
Sanders County Justice Court
Auction supports Plains-Paradise Rural Fire
On an overcast day with a light rain falling in the Plains area, a group of hearty volunteers and an equally hearty bunch of buyers came together Saturday morning to support a good cause.
Longtime trap club caretaker Harry Greene says goodbye
With or without a firearm, Harry Greene is a straight-shooter.
Blue Hawks roll Darby, 56-0
One of the basic elements in football is seeking to dominate the opponent.
Titans tip Mountain Cats
Remembering the Titans may well be something the Clark Fork Mountain Cats will not want to do.
Hot Springs spikers sweep Darby
They opened with a streak of four wins and now they have another one going.
A conversation with candidate 'Z'
It must have been a dream.
Lady Hawks volleyball overpowers Plains
Paced by a powerful front line and dominating serves, the Thompson Falls Lady Hawks overpowered Plains last week in high school volleyball action.
Massage therapist opens business in Plains
Fueled by corona virus concerns, unhealthy air from forest fires, a contentious political climate and a host of other issues, stress is on the rise in Montana and across the country.
Mineral County Shooting Sports Association hosts fall banquet
Just like clockwork, the Mineral County Shooting Sports Association (MCSSA) holds a fall banquet that is extremely popular because of the great chow, auction items you dream of owning and camaraderie that is second to none.
Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls
Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls
Wednesday, September 16
St. Regis artist makes handmade jewelry
Following a rewarding career working in various medical laboratories, St. Regis resident Cathy Hansen retired and discovered her niche, this time it’s in her home workshop making unique handmade jewelry.
St. Regis principal happy to see students again
The laughter and chatter of students fill the St Regis Schools halls and classrooms once again, even if muffled by masks and face shields. Having children back in school warms the heart.
Florida man admits trafficking 78 pounds of meth
A Florida man admitted Wednesday to a drug trafficking crime after the Montana Highway Patrol seized 78 pounds of nearly pure methamphetamine
Friends of Scotchman Peaks wraps up trail work
The Friends of the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness has a few dates left on its trail maintenance schedule.
Fraud Alert: Scammers claiming to be with DOJ, preying on elderly
The Montana Department of Justice is advising the public of an imposter scam in which persons claiming to represent the department are calling individuals and appear to be targeting the elderly.
LTE-Man questions county commissioners about election
Respectfully to the County of Sanders Montana Commissioners - an open letter to the media in Sanders County
Clark Fork volleyball sweeps St. Regis
In what turned out to be a fast-moving volleyball match, I-90 rivals Clark Fork (Superior/Alberton) and St. Regis faced off on the Tigers home court Thursday night with Clark Fork sweeping the host team three games to zero.
Superior Schoolhouse hosts outdoor concert
With the sun setting behind the maple trees that line the old Superior Schoolhouse lawn locals gathered in family unit socially distanced squares to take in a delightful end of summer outdoor concert.
David John Henry, 101
David John Henry was born on July 30, 1918 and passed to heaven on July 7, 2020, 23 days from his 102nd birthday.
Plains man ready to take flight in latest creation
There are creative, ambitious people in this world. Then there’s Ned Beighey.
It was a summer to remember in Plains, Montana
As Yogi Berra once said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.”
Plains woman inspired to author children's book
Rescuing an abandoned, mistreated dog changed Karen Olson’s life.
Flat Rock Fire does little damage after swift response
An impressive and swift response by area fire crews on the afternoon of Sept. 8 kept the Flat Rock Fire north of St. Regis from spreading and getting out of hand.
Mineral County law roundup
Deputies responded to an attempt of someone breaking into a fifth wheel. Case still on going.
LTE-In support of Tranel for Public Service Commission
I'm writing to express support for Monica Tranel for Public Service Commission.
LTE-Thankful for Patriot Parade participation
I would like to thank the VFW Post 3596, the American Legion Post 129, every one that participated in PATRIOT PARADE.
Mask's big night keys Mountain Cat win over Mission
What do these statements have in common? Einstein was a pretty smart guy. Navy Seals are pretty tough guys. Bryan Mask had a pretty good night.
St. Regis celebrates homecoming with big win
The co-op St. Regis Tigers ran away from visiting Arlee on their way to a convincing 76-36 Homecoming win Friday night in St. Regis.
Victorian-style bed & breakfast opens in Plains
Amid the proliferation of bed and breakfast establishments sweeping the nation, it would be hard to find one more intriguing than the J&J Bed & Breakfast now open for business in Plains.
Red Cross schedules blood donor events in Northwest Montana
The American Red Cross needs people of all races and ethnicities to give blood to help ensure a blood supply as diverse as the patients who depend on it.
Reimagining Rural events set for Thompson Falls
Reimagining Rural sprung from an idea and desire to help create a vibrant future for Montana’s rural communities.
MSU webinars for estate planning, wills
Montana State University Extension will collaborate with AARP Montana for a three-part webinar estate planning series in September.
Need for speed: Savage Heat scorch Gardiner
In six-man Montana high school football, speed is key.
Superior High School celebrates homecoming
No one would have imagined in March that the COVID-19 pandemic would last this long.
Clarence M. Fried, 89
Clarence M. Fried
Legals for September, 16 2020
Wednesday, September 9
Covid is ruining my sports world
This past week was one for which I had been waiting many agonizing months. Sports, live sports, lay before me.
Plastic keeps St. Regis band making beautiful music
Sometimes you’ve just gotta’ roll with it. Such as rolls of plastic, or in this case hordes of plastic table cloth coverings.
Plains, Noxon football teams win big
The Plains Horsemen and Noxon Red Devils were both big winners in their respective season openers last Friday in high school football action.
Savage Heat race past Valley Christian
If you are a fan of scoring in a football game, this one was for you.
Food for Thought: How will you impact someone's life today?
As coronavirus cases continue to increase in Montana many people are becoming impatient, less tolerant, unkind, and in some times rude. For the most part this is due to their overwhelming frustration, a change in their lifestyle, limiting activities they are used to doing, financial stress, high anxiety and uncertainty.
Tigers hammer Wallace, Idaho, 64-22
Heading into Friday night’s 8-man football game at Wallace, St. Regis/Mullan coach Jesse Allan said the team needed to diversify from the potent running game they used to dispatch Lakeside in their season opener.
Second Amendment alive and well in Plains
The Second Amendment to the Constitution is alive and well in Plains, Montana. That was evident by the packed Veterans of Foreign Wars hall Saturday as more than 35 exhibitors and a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd of customers and gun fanciers flocked to the Annual Plains Gun Show.
Paradise man has other plan for sewer system
Hello America! I just had to sit down and write a few lines to relieve a little pressure!
Some experts say Paradise sewer project price too high
With the embers of anti-sewer protest still glowing, a new development in the issue may further fan the flames of discontent in the small town of Paradise.
Sheriff works to put department in better shape
New Sheriff Mike Toth was appointed by the Mineral County Commissioners and sworn into office Aug. 3 and he has been hoofing it since then.
Daines effort keeps program alive to help rural firefighters
When Bruce Charles of De Borgia took over as the West End Volunteer Fire Chief in 2005, the department had a 1962 fire engine in a tiny red building.
Resource Coalition talks federal land work, timber harvest
“The lumber market has never been this good so it’s great to be in full operation with almost 100 employees.”
Letter writer considers evolution
The Republican religious oligarchs would lead us to believe that God is on their side.
Blue Hawks shut out Clark Fork Mountain Cats, 42-0
A pair of eight-man state semi-finalists from the 2019 Montana football playoffs collided in Superior Friday night in what promised to be a hard fought battle. While both teams gave it their all, Thompson Falls was the clear winner as they pounded the Clark Fork Mountain Cats 42-0 in the Cats home opener.
Hot Springs volleyball off to strong start
It’s early in the season, but initial results indicate something special is in the works with the Hot Springs Lady Savage Heat volleyball team.
Trotters take down St. Regis in volleyball action
See-saw games in a see-saw match which was settled by untimely miscues in game four. That was the story of the Plains Trotters versus St. Regis Lady Tigers Thursday night in St. Regis. In the end those miscues proved to be the decider as the Trotters came away with a thrilling 3-1 victory over the host Lady Tigers before an energized, vocal crowd.
What are Mineral County's wolves up to?
Bringing up the subject of wolves remains touchy. A flashpoint for many who have nothing good to say about them for reasons of their own. How the deer population has dropped. The elk are gone, at least in the areas many hunters always could find them.
Clara Fay Vannice
Clara Fay Vannice, 78, of Plains, Montana, died peacefully in her sleep Aug. 30, 2020.
Wednesday, September 2
Mineral County law roundup
Deputies responded to a report of a stolen vehicle case is still under investigation.
Oregon bowhunter killed by wounded elk
Authorities say a bow hunter was killed when an elk he had wounded charged at him and gored him in the neck with its antlers.
St. Regis, Clark Fork football squads win big
With an opponent found for a cancelled non-conference game, the big question for the St. Regis/Mullan, Idaho football team was what will the running game look like this year? Gone from the backfield was all-stater Ian Farris, a speed merchant with a nose for the end zone.
Sanders County Justice Court
Sanders County Justice Court
Firefighters battle blazes across Western Montana
Firefighters are battling a number of fires across Western Montana, but rain in the region was expected to give them a welcome break Monday.
Charles Willis Swope
Friday August 21, 2020 Charles Willis Swope took his last breath and reunited with his parents Fredric and Ellen Swope sisters Fern Merritt, Bertha Goethlich, Kathleen Jacobson and Evelyn Fulton plus his brother Clarence.
Trump stagecoach makes stop in Plains
The national campaign to “ride the Trump train,” a slogan meant to encourage support for President Donald J. Trump, took on a distinctly Montana twist Friday in Plains.
Plains man's love of nature evolves into photography
There are some things in life that just go good together. Ketchup and mustard. Salt and pepper. Beer and Pizza. Add Orvall Kuester and nature to that list.
Sharon (Jensen) Booth
Sharon (Jensen) Booth passed away on July 27, 2020.
Doris Marcella Ruthford (Mencel)
Doris Marcella Ruthford (Mencel), 89, died of natural causes Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, in Superior. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family.
Flint Creek illness forces cancellation of Plains game
In the end, Covid-19 won another game.
Yes, wheat does grow in Mineral County
Starting around mile marker 55 along Interstate 90, you may have noticed over the years golden fields of…wheat.
Mineral County community meets new sheriff
August 29, spread between the Old DeBorgia Schoolhouse and the West End Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department there was a bit of yard saling, baked goods buying, quilt raffling, hamburger eating, and some meeting and greeting.
Lincoln Memorial Clinic welcomes Cadena
The Jack Lincoln Memorial Clinic is welcoming new medical staff to its list of providers. Marissa Cadena is a Certified Physician Assistant and she will be working under the supervision of Dr. Lovell Monday through Friday in St. Regis.
Blue Hawks hold off Mission, 38-32, in season opener
A key defensive play and two touchdowns in the last 22 seconds of the first half keyed the Thompson Falls Blue Hawks to a 38-32 win over the Mission Bulldogs as the 2020 high school football season kicked off in St. Ignatius.
Kvelve's Comments: Time for some new sayings
Life is full of sayings.
