Monday, January 31
Mineral County Health Department provides Covid tests, vaccines
Mineral County Health Department will be visiting communities this month to provide COVID-19 vaccines/boosters and free rapid antigen COVID-19 home testing kits provided by the state health department.
Sunday, January 30
Wanted fugitive arrested in Mineral County
A fugitive wanted after a series of burglaries and vehicle thefts in Washington and Idaho was arrested while hiding in a camper in Mineral County on Friday morning, according to Mineral County Sheriff Mike Toth.
Wednesday, January 26
Thompson Falls wins two of three
As the recently departed Meatloaf sang, “two out of three ain’t bad”.
Improving Hot Springs gets victory
With Covid once again rearing its ugly head, athletic directors have had to get creative to keep their boys and girls basketball teams playing.
Thompson Falls hosts Ted Kato Memorial tourney
Local teams and individuals had good showings against a big field of wrestlers who came to Thompson Falls Saturday to compete in the Ted Kato Memorial tournament.
Local coaches favor new shot-clock rule
It’s looking like Montana high school basketball will join most of the rest of the country next year in implementing and installing 35-second shot clocks.
St. Regis boys remain unbeaten in 14C play
When the dust had settled from this past week in the Montana 14C conference only one team stood alone on top.
St. Regis girls tip Hot Springs
A win over the Hot Springs girls basketball team was the bright spot in brutal week on the schedule for the St. Regis Lady Tigers this past week.
Water rights board faces urgent task list
A new water management board for the Flathead Reservation faces a hefty punch list of to-dos ahead of registering scores of pre-existing water rights now under its purview.
Kids get hooked at Frenchtown ice fishing day
The weather was perfect with a robin’s egg, blue sky day for kids who went ice fishing at Frenchtown Pond on Saturday — many for their first time. The organizers of the event were happy and helpful as over 150 kiddos registered, some as early as 8 a.m.
Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls
Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls
Ruth Juris
Ruth Juris
Board resumes talks about Paradise sewer project
Like an anxious Dr. Frankenstein hovering over his “creation” looking for a sign of life, members of he Paradise Sewer Board kept a wary eye on the laboratory table, while at the same time scanning the gathering of upset villagers who are intent on snuffing out the monster sewer project they say is riddled with unfairness and uncertainty.
Local groups take part in March for Life walk in Thompson Falls
The Knights of Columbus Council, in conjunction with the national organization of March for Life, marched on the streets of Thompson Falls last week to raise awareness of the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling which legalized abortion.
Woodcarver Henry Larum is Plains' home-grown artist
Mounted on the wall in the Plains high school gymnasium is a large wood carving of a horse. Beside that carving is a plaque dedicated to the memory of Bev Minemyer, a Plains High School student who passed away from a brain tumor at the age of 15 in 1976.
Candidate filing opens for state and local elections
Most filing for state office occurs electronically in Montana, but candidates can file in-person at the Secretary of State Office. More than 60 legislative candidates had filed as of January 13, which was the first day candidates could file.
Lady Tigers rebound with 2 wins
No longer an easy win on anyone’s schedule.
St. Regis man carves passion for woodworking
According to Proverbs 16:27, idle hands are the devil’s workshop. In Keith Morris’s quaint wood working shed outside his home in St. Regis, his hands aren’t idle, and the things he creates are simply meant for sharing with others.
T-Falls boys top Plains, fall at Libby
The Thompson Falls Blue Hawks had a .500 week.
Wednesday, January 19
Blue Hawks dominate Deer Lodge
By the time the Deer Lodge Wardens rolled into Thompson Falls this past Saturday, the Blue Hawks were anything but welcoming hosts.
Sandra D. King
Sandra D. King
Larry D. Loberg
Larry D. Loberg
Local group assists veterans facing homelessness
At a recent meeting in Durango’s, a couple of local veteran organizations found out that honorably discharged veterans that are homeless or struggling with rent have a shoulder waiting for them to lean on.
Sheriff's Office dispatch a rewarding and challenging job
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.
Dog training service opens in Superior
It’s been said that frustration can be a valuable motivator. For Kayla Papesh, that was certainly the case when she found herself propelled into a new career direction, all thanks to a new pet.
Washington Companies to terminate Montana Rail Link lease
Montana Rail Link, the Missoula-based railroad company owned by billionaire industrialist Dennis Washington, announced Monday that it will terminate a long-term lease of its tracks through southern Montana and return them to owner BNSF Railway.
State approves Big Arm archery range project
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is moving forward with a proposal to develop a public archery range at the Big Arm Unit of Flathead Lake State Park.
Charlo trips Hot Springs in hoops thriller
The ball rotated slowly on its way to break dozens of hearts, as if it were part of an old-time movie.
Charlo girls earn victory at Hot Springs
Sometimes, sports are purveyors of “ifs”.
St. Regis and Superior split rivalry games
Like the freeway nearby, the Interstate 90 rivalry renewal was a split success this year.
Bigfork girls top T-Falls in battle of unbeatens
Here in horse country the old saying goes “if you get knocked off the horse, get right back up in the saddle”.
St. Regis picks up wins against 14C foes
Even with some of the luster buffed out of tonight’s game with Hot Springs for the Western 14C lead due to a narrow Hot Springs loss to Charlo, the St. Regis Tigers will not take their opponent lightly.
Solid performances at wrestling meets
Covid or not, all three Sanders and Mineral county high school wrestling teams saw tournament action this past weekend in a pair of high quality events in Choteau and Missoula.
Wednesday, January 12
Teen swims in the St. Regis River all year long
On a hot summer day, you’d count yourself pretty lucky to drive up to the swimming spot that St. Regis locals refer to as “Scribner’s”, or the Joe, and find no other rigs there.
Old Glory: Moiese family installs Montana's tallest flagpole
Across from the entrance to the Moiese Bison Range on Highway 212, is the south entrance to the Moiese Valley known for cattle and dairy operations, wheat, alfalfa, and corn fields — and now the tallest flagpole in Montana.
Winter storm slams Sanders, Mineral counties
A major winter storm slammed into Western Montana last week, causing local school and road closures, and plenty of plowing out.
Plains council: Old jail repairs to begin soon
Plains Mayor Dan Rowan welcomed in the newly elected council members last week.
James Edward Cork II, 44
In memory of James Edward Cork II, 44, of Thompson Falls.
Elizabeth Marie Lampshire
Elizabeth Marie Lampshire
Birth announcements
Birth announcements
Lady Hawks stay unbeaten
It’s one thing to be the only team around with an unbeaten record, and quite another to be the only team around who whupped Mother Nature.
Superior girls run past Hot Springs
Those rumblings you may hear from the southern territory of the Western 14C girls basketball conference have been traced to Superior.
Hot Springs tops Superior in conference play
Here's the Superior boys vs Hot Springs write-up, pictures will be coming from Kami sometime this morning.
Lady Red Devils split games
When you take on the conference leader, then play the conference cellar-dweller you can expect, in most cases, mixed results.
Noxon boys drop two
Snow was not the only nemesis for the Noxon Red Devil boys basketball team as they dropped a pair of games, including a 62-54 loss to previously win-less Two Eagle River last Tuesday in Pablo.
Plains teams search for wins
It will come. Maybe not today or this week or next week. But it will come and how sweet it will be.
Legals for January, 12 2022
CSKT Tribal Council elects McDonald as chairman
The Tribal Council of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes held its quarterly meeting Friday at the Tribes’ headquarters in Pablo, with the selection of new Council leadership high on the agenda.
Resource committee discusses local timber projects
The monthly Mineral County Resource Committee meeting that was held in the county commissioners conference room Jan. 4 was close to a 50-50 split with in-person and Zoom participants. It was even mentioned that so many people are "zoomed-out" and attending meetings in person is much more productive.
Mineral County Sheriff's Office log
Mineral County Sheriff's Office log
Superior crow crowds something to caw about
Alfred Hitchcock revealed on the "Dick Cavett Show" (1968) that 3,200 birds were trained for the movie "The Birds."
Wednesday, January 5
Partnership Health Center to Close Satellite Clinic in Superior
Partnership Health Center closed its satellite clinic in Superior on Dec. 30.
Keg Bowl gridders brave frigid temps, snow
One potential participant, surveying the snow and wind-swept frozen “tundra” east of Thompson Falls, summed up why he was not going to be taking part in the two-hour game this year.
Second half of girls' hoops season gets underway
While boys basketball fans get ready for the second half by velcroing down, girls fans might be advised to tighten the bleacher seat belt and hang on.
Basketball returns to action following Christmas break
Velcro down basketball fans, the boys are back from winter break and ready to rumble.
Mineral County receives funds to assist with water, sewer projects
Mineral County has been allocated funds from the American Recovery Act to assist in meeting the critical need for investments in projects that improve access to clean drinking water and improve wastewater and storm water infrastructure systems.
Explore the great outdoors around Thompson Falls
As the winter tightens its grip on Montana, most of us head for the warmth of our homes and fireplaces.
Paradise sewer project scaled down; dispute continues
Snow flies and settles gently on the lawns and roof tops of this quiet Sanders County town, in stark contrast to the simmering tensions still boiling in the background.
Rowan sworn in as Plains mayor
Dan Rowan was sworn in Thursday in a fairly hastily arranged ceremony to begin serving a second, four-year-term as Mayor of the Town of Plains.
Longtime seamstress Betty Martel sells business
Her husband ran their North Dakota farm near Bottineau every day of the week. They had a young son with special needs who required 24/7 assistance as well as a few other family members who depended on help.
The year ahead for Mineral County Sheriff's Office
Dissecting the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, you have three departments that are intertwined, but each has separate specific responsibilities and duties.
Mineral County Sheriff's Office report
Mineral County Sheriff's Office report
New owners take over historic Bellevue Hotel
If you are a native of Mineral County or have lived here any time after 1908, you’ve driven by or perhaps even been a guest at the Bellevue Hotel at 110 Mullan Rd. West in Superior.
Legals for January, 5 2022
Sanders County Justice Court
Sanders County Justice Court
Michael “Mike” Phelps Prescott Reeder, 66
Michael “Mike” Phelps Prescott Reeder, 66
