Monday, February 28
Superior spelling bee winners
The Superior school spelling bee was held last week, with seventh-grader Liam Wheeler winning with the word "weird." Sixth-grader Ava White took second place.
Wednesday, February 23
Legals for February, 23 2022
PHOTOS: Plains basketball action
Plains in the District 7B Tournament in Bigfork Thursday.
Political courage
Courage is a virtue that we Americans value in our culture. An act of courage transcends ideology, it is a personal characteristic that belongs to the individual or group and to call it bravery without thought of personal consequences is as good a definition as any. We award medals for it.
Column: Montana has been discovered
Montana has been discovered. We were the second-fastest-growing state in the country last year. Our rapidly increasing population presents many challenges and opportunities, and it’s also driving a lot of unease among many of us who’ve lived here for a long time.
Lake County presses state for law enforcement funding deal
Attorneys representing the Lake County commissioners sent a letter to Gov. Greg Gianforte last week in the hopes of finding a resolution to a longstanding dispute regarding costs of law enforcement on the Flathead Indian Reservation.
Beetle picked to battle Flathead’s flowering rush invasion
A Missoula-based invasive weed workgroup is eying the prowess of a European weevil to nibble down flowering rush at Flathead Lake, where the exotic aquatic perennial thrives.
Harvey Mervin Gould, 94
Harvey Mervin Gould, 94
Hot Springs boys, girls take 3rd at 14C tourney
Close but not quite is the word with the Hot Springs boys and girls basketball teams following the Western 14C tournaments this past weekend in Ronan.
Western B tournament tips off Thursday in Ronan
A pair of No. 1 district seeds and a pair of fourth place district qualifiers will represent Sanders and Mineral counties in this week’s divisional playoffs beginning Thursday.
Sanders County Justice Court
Sanders County Justice Court
Superior woman takes reins at Superior Mountain Herbs
Seasonal influenza viruses strike year-round in the United States, but most cases of the flu are accounted for during the fall and winter, according to the CDC.
New practices fills need for mental health services
Partnership Health Center closed their office location in Superior in December, inviting their patients to continue their health care at the Missoula location, 401 Railroad Street West.
Trumpeter swans flock to Flathead River for winter
Even if you weren’t looking for them, there is no way you could miss all the swans on The Flathead River, especially between Dixon and Paradise.
Trumpeter flock to Flathead River for winter
Even if you weren’t looking for them, there is no way you could miss all the swans on The Flathead River, especially between Dixon and Paradise.
Paradise: Water board members call for split from sewer board
There has been progress made in the controversial Paradise Sewer construction project.
Superior's Reese signs with Carroll
Superior’s loss is Carroll College’s gain.
Thilmony leads local wrestlers at state
Three appearances in the title matches and three straight State Championships for Thompson Falls standout wrestler Trae Thilmony, who made it a trifecta with his win at 145 pounds at the state tournment in Billings this past weekend.
St. Regis, Charlo thrill in 14C championship
Sound can be many things. It can bring joy or be a harbinger of pain. Produce happiness or deflating sorrow as when someone unties the end of a balloon and the energy keeping it pumped up escapes into thin air.
Superior girls clip Charlo for 14C title
There are mountains, folks say, that just can’t be climbed.
Christensen heads to Carroll for track and basketball
For the past several years Katelyn Christensen has been a Hot Springs High mainstay and standout athletically and academically.
Lady Hawks earn No. 4 seed
After getting a bye in the first day of the 7B girls basketball playoffs in Bigfork, the Thompson Falls Lady Hawks had reason to feel optimistic.
T-Falls boys get fourth seed in Divisionals
Things were looking good following the first day of the Western 7B District tournament for the Thompson Falls High boys basketball team.
Sunday, February 20
Trapper education work group to meet in Polson on Feb. 23
The group responsible for developing Montana’s new trapper education program is meeting Wednesday, Feb. 23 in Polson.
Wednesday, February 16
Blue Hawks falter against Bigfork, Mission
When you are getting ready for a conference tournament its always good to know how the boys on top are doing.
Flushed pillowcase blamed for Alberton sewer backup
The city of Alberton on Dec. 31, 2021 became aware of a sewer system failure that created an issue of sewage backing up in a manhole on the west end of Parkway Drive. When the manhole became full, the sewage overflowed and was pushed back into at least one resident’s home.
Humble and hardworking: Cowboy HOF inductee Hamel reflects on ranching, rodeo life
His folks bought the ranch in 1944, he thinks, and moved his brother and himself there from Dixon as they were getting into trouble and running with the wrong crowd.
Alberton Early Learning Center helps kids thrive
Affordable housing, affordable health insurance, and affordable child care can all be placed under the "staples of life" umbrella. Housing and health care have drawn national attention and have movements in action, but daycare is a rung down on the ladder.
Plains council discusses internet fiber fees
The regular Plains City Council meeting held Feb. 7 addressed several important items on the agenda.
Water management board adds final members
Members of the Flathead Reservation Water Management Board selected an aquatic biologist and educator to serve as its fifth member. Georgia Smies was picked by the board following closed-session interviews held during its second official meeting last week.
New elk regs affect Region 1 hunters
Elk hunters sighting the northwestern reaches of Montana already tagged a brute ahead of the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Ronald K. Steinebach
Ronald Keith Steinebach
Kay (Mathies Minemyer) Tompkins
Kay (Mathies Minemyer) Tompkins
Amelia A. Best (Sorenson)
Amelia A. Best (Sorenson)
Hunter and bowhunter education classes offered
Hunter and bowhunter education classes are scheduled for west-central Montana communities this year
Public access secured on 1,040 acres near Lolo Creek
The Missoula District of the Lolo National Forest recently became the steward and manager of an additional 1,040 acres of high-quality resource lands just west of Lolo.
Guides and outfitters lament murky minimum wage rule
A newly-enacted executive order requiring an increased minimum wage for federal contract workers has left local outfitting and rafting companies scrambling as they try to determine what the new rule means for their future.
Rockfall mitigation work planned near St. Regis
The Montana Department of Transportation is taking public comment on a proposal to stabilize a rock cut slope about 400 feet long on Montana 135, 14 miles northeast of St. Regis.
Montana rights, liberties and freedoms protected
Montana Republicans protected your rights, liberties and freedoms during the 2021 legislative session.
Hot Springs girls nip the Plains Trotters, 51-50
Good karma begets good karma?
Hot Springs boys split final games
With the 2021-22 class C basketball regular season in the rear view mirror, the Hot Springs Savage Heat boys closed things out with a split of their final two games this past week.
T-Falls girls secure No. 2 seed with win over St. Ignatius
With the District 7B second seed on the line, Thompson Falls’ Lady Hawks dug deep and came up with a 52-51 win over now fourth-seeded St. Ignatius during a hard-fought conference battle Thursday night in St. Ignatius.
Plains hoopers conclude regular seasons
Going into the final game of a season in which your team has yet to enter the win column, playing a traditional B/C powerhouse is perhaps a fitting way to wrap things up.
St. Regis' Tanner Day joins 1,000-point club
It tournament time. All the regular season games are over.
Lady Tigers close season with victory
For a pair of senior girls playing their last regular season home game at St. Regis High School, Thursday was a big night.
Lady Bobcats tune up for postseason
The Superior High School girls tuned up for this week’s Western 14C basketball tournament with a positive split of their final three regular season games of the year.
Thilmony earns 3rd state wrestling title
Action from the all-class state wrestling tournament in Billings.
Legals for February, 16 2022
Wednesday, February 9
St. Regis Tigers look good heading into postseason
With the District playoffs looming in the near future, now is a good time to pick up a couple “tune-up” wins and get playing time for non-starters.
Burnham nets 20 to lead Lady Tigers
With a playoff seeding no doubt in the back of their minds, the St. Regis Lady Tigers took to their home court Thursday and routed Two Eagle River 60-24.
Area wrestlers advance to state meet
It was a good day for Sanders and Mineral County wrestlers at the Montana High School Western Divisional B/C meet in Butte this past week.
Hot Spring boys ride hot streak into postseason
It’s always good to close the season on a roll, especially if you are heading into playoff territory.
Christensen leads Lady Savage Heat with 30
A win and a loss marked the final conference games of the 2021-22 season for the Hot Springs Lady Savage Heat.
Legals for February, 9 2022
Thompson Fall High School honor roll
The following is the first semester honor roll for Thompson Falls High School. The "A" honor roll requirement is 4.0-3.50. The "B" honor roll requirement is 3.49-3.00.
Update from Helena
This past week I was in Helena for an interim Transportation Committee meeting.
Program assists landowners with wildlife damage
Between June 15 and July 15 each year, hunters can register to be on call if damage is being caused by deer, elk or antelope on private property.
Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls
Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls
Alaska couple open B&B retreat in Superior
Directly across the Forest Grove Fishing Access on East Mullan Road is a big, beautiful lodge that was built to be a bed and breakfast many years ago. It’s still a B&B, but the new owners have created this cozy setting into a retreat center like none other anywhere in the area.
Superior's Sorren Reese signs with Carroll
Superior High School senior and cross county track athlete Sorren Reese, is headed to the capitol city next fall after signing with Carroll College for track and field.
Hot Springs residents celebrate Chinese New Year
The residents of Hot Springs braved the wind and cold to put on another community parade to celebrate the Chinese New Year, the year of the tiger.
Dixon's Hamel, Polson museum headed to Cowboy Hall of Fame
Dixon cowboy Gerald Lee “Jerry” Hamel and the Miracle of America Museum in Polson are among the 14th class of inductees into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Lady Hawks earn No. 2 seed for 7B tourney
With a critical final weekend of the regular season coming up next, the Thompson Falls Lady Hawks staked a claim for the Western 7B number two playoff seed with a 63-42 win over the Eureka Lions Saturday night in Thompson Falls.
Thompson Falls boys snag 2 wins
After a rocky start to their week following a 56-39 home loss Tuesday to Western 7B foe Mission of St. Ignatius, the Thompson Falls boys were looking to make things better.
Plains teams have tough week
The carnage continues for both the Plains boys and girls basketball teams as they battle through high school’s version of a rebuilding program, young but promising teams.
Charlo boys and girls win at Superior
Charlo and basketball have become synonymous in these parts.
Wednesday, February 2
Lady Hawks split games
After a hot start, the Thompson Falls girls basketball team has cooled, albeit slightly, as the 2021-22 Montana high school girls regular season nears its final two weekends.
St. Regis Tigers clip Heat in 14C battle
The echoes of “wow!, what a game” had barely quit reverberating through the walls of the Hot Springs gym when the second game of the night got underway.
Uski sinks game-winner for Hot Springs
If you were in the gym at Hot Springs High School Saturday night you no doubt have one or more of the following:
Letter: Help preserve county's Covid test supplies
In a previous message I reviewed how our free, self-referred, drive up antigen testing has been heavily used during the current Covid-19 surge.
Western Montana lions offer unique hunting experience
High in the snow-covered mountains along the I-90 corridor houndsmen across Mineral County run Forest Service roads with hunting partners and their dogs, scanning for mountain lion tracks and ready to set their canines loose on a fresh cat trail.
Andy Dietrich
Andy Dietrich
Richard Hugh Johnson
Richard Hugh Johnson
St. Regis BPA students compete
St. Regis BPA students compete
Mineral County Sheriff's Office call logs
Mineral County Call logs
Plains drama students stage heart-touching play
Plains High School drama members performed the heart-touching play "A Little Piece of Heaven" last week.
Locals rally to rescue lost and injured pig
Local residents come together last week to rescue an injured Kunekune pig along Montana 28 near Hot Springs.
Mineral County dispatcher explains Sheriff's Office calls
Each week the Mineral Independent publishes the Mineral County Sheriff’s Report to help people paint a better picture of what deputies are doing during their shifts.
Legals for February, 2 2022
Wolf hunting and trapping down despite added opportunities
Following years of record regional harvests, hunters and trappers in the northwestern corner of the state have so far achieved less than a third of total state-sanctioned wolf kills for the season.
Trio of Superior wrestlers undefeated at Mission Invite
Superior wrestling coach Charlie Crabb is a modest man of few words.
Superior girls get hard-fought win at St. Regis
It was a week against the conference’s “big three” and Superior’s girls came out of it 2-1.
St. Regis smothers Superior in I-90 rivalry
The big guy in the middle for Charlo could be a problem for a couple more years.
Thompson Falls gets back on track with 2 wins
Back on track before the playoffs begin?
