Ellington

Knudsen, Tester publicize efforts to curb fentanyl abuse

As Attorney General Austin Knudsen recently unveiled his latest effort to prevent fentanyl abuse in Montana, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester highlighted efforts in the Senate to make it easier to detect the opioid along the southern border.

Book Review: Trout Town a fun romp

When Montana author Dave Ames gave me a review copy of his latest book, “Trout Town” I expected a tome of essays on trout and fishing, a la John Gierach.

Legals for November, 30 2022

Montana GOP has a supermajority. What now?

Earlier this month, voters elected the first legislative supermajority since Montana’s constitution was adopted 50 years ago, voting in over 100 Republicans to represent them in the Legislature.

Big game hunting season concludes with harvest totals up

Montana’s 2022 general big game hunting season closed Sunday, Nov. 27 much the way it began five weeks ago, with harvest totals up slightly from last year and cold and snowy conditions prevailing across much of west-central Montana.

Amberson levels up with firefighter training

The three fire academies in Montana all commence with the same basic rules and qualifications: High school diploma or GED, valid Montana driver’s license, 18 years or older, EMT-basic certification, vision corrected to 20/30, pre-employment medical exam and psych test (post offer of employment) and no tobacco use while on the job.

Mack Days posts final results

The 2022 Fall Mack Days event, sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, is in the books.

Permit required to salvage vehicle-killed wildlife

Anyone wanting to salvage a road-killed deer, elk, moose are antelope must obtain a Vehicle-Killed Wildlife Salvage Permit.

Democrats gather in Plains to discuss upcoming session

Democrats from seven counties in Montana assembled Nov. 20 at the Sanders County Fairgrounds to share ideas and strategize for the upcoming Montana Legislature session in January.

VFW spreads cheer with care packages

Monday was a busy day at VFW Post No. 3596 in Plains. Volunteers gathered to honor each of our Sanders County active-duty veterans, both stateside and overseas, with a carefully prepared care package.

Author details Taft's 'wicked' history in new book

Between 1906 and 1909, the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway put track, trestles, and tunnels through the Bitterroot wilderness on the border of Montana and Idaho. This was all part of the Pacific Coast Extension connecting East Coast population centers to China and Japan.

Cummings honored for 70 years of service at VFW

Across America, the Veterans of Foreign Wars are a familiar sight and symbolize a commitment to the nation both at home and abroad. The organization traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service.

Legislative update

From Nov. 15-18, the Montana Legislature met for orientation. A review of that was in last week's paper dealing with the Senate leadership and House Democrat leadership, but not the full Republican leadership.

Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls

Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls

Montana Republicans, Democrats select leaders in advance of 2023 session

Montana legislators selected leadership Wednesday for the 2023 legislative session.

Knudsen elected vice chair of the Republican AG association

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen was elected vice chair of the Republican Attorney General Association (RAGA), a national political advocacy group, over the weekend.

Court order pauses Montana wolf hunts

A Lewis and Clark County District Court judge on Tuesday granted a temporary restraining order truncating the size and scope of wolf hunting season in response to a motion filed last week by conservation groups.

Early risers catch glimpse of meteor over Montana

Early risers Thursday morning may have caught a glimpse of a spectacular fireball seen from Missoula to north of Calgary at 6:26 a.m.

Community Calendar

Community Calendar

Fred Fike

Fred Fike

Counties pressured to object to CSKT Compact

As the deadline approaches to file objections to water rights claims set out in the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes-Montana Water Compact, some local officials are considering the effects of the landmark deal.

Stakeholders discuss public access around Plains

A public meeting was held last week at the Plains County Fairgrounds to discuss acquiring 11,804 acres of forestland south of Plains.

Plains theater students ignite laughter in murder mystery

Friday evening, the community of Plains filled the new school gymnasium to enjoy the first play for the school year, "Clue," directed by Terry Henry and assistant director Cathy Emmet.

Body scanners installed at Mineral County Detention Center

Body searches, also known as strip searches, are generally frowned upon when a person is taken into custody by law enforcement.

Longtime Superior Volunteer fire chief to retire

When Steve and Peggy Temple moved to Superior in 2005, they embraced the community and have been involved in more organizations and causes that you can shake a stick at.

Legals for November, 23 2022

Fall Mack Days posts final results

The 2022 Fall Mack Days event, sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, is in the books.

Second Montana elk found with Chronic wasting disease

Chronic wasting disease has been detected in a cow elk killed by a hunter in Hunting District 622, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reported on Wednesday.

I’m thankful for Montana

As a fifth-generation Montanan, I didn’t choose Montana — Montana chose me.

Native American Heritage Month is a constitutional promise

November is National American Indian Heritage Month. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed a Congressional Joint Resolution establishing this event and called upon governments, interested groups, organizations, and the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

$1M grant will help rid noxious weeds from Great Burn

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation recently notified the Great Burn Conservation Alliance in Missoula that they were being awarded $1 million to restore native habitat in the Great Burn Ecosystem by 2026.

Wolf hunting, trapping regs are unlawful

The general rifle hunting season opened recently across Montana.

Wild Sustenance: Innovative course introduces UM students to hunting

As a salmon pink sunrise bathed the nearby Rocky Mountain range, a group of University of Montana students gathered, bundled against the chill, with their instructors and two eager pointing dogs for an introduction to upland bird hunting.

Moose hunt a test of perseverance

Hunters who have been in the game for any appreciable length of time know they must exercise great patience and perseverance in the pursuit of success.

Local organizations awarded grants from Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation

The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation has selected 100 food banks, food pantries, rescue missions, homeless shelters and Salvation Army organizations across Montana to receive a combined $350,000 in additional grant funds to aid them in helping Montana’s most vulnerable citizens during the holiday season.

Town Pump holds annual food bank fundraiser

As Montana’s food banks deal with record demand in the wake of soaring food costs and other everyday expenses, the Town Pump Charitable Foundation is matching $1 million to help raise $4 million during its annual fundraising campaign for food banks across the state.

William Cenis

William Cenis

Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls

Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls

PHOTO: Paradise Players concert

The Paradise Players performed for enthusiastic audiences over the weekend at the Paradise Center, “Salute Our Troops” which was a replica of a radio broadcast from 1942. The actors played characters that had connections with the Clark Fork Valley during World War II. Their next production will be the first part of the new year. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)

Bobcats No. 4 seed in FCS playoffs; Griz get home game

South Dakota State and Sacramento State earned the top two seeds in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs when the 24-team field was announced Sunday.

Cats ground game steamrolls Griz in annual Brawl

Tommy Mellott, Montana State’s superb sophomore quarterback out of Butte, is as direct at a postgame press conference as he is hitting the gap on a zone running play.

Mission falls in 8-man championship

The Belt Huskies broke out in the second half of the Class C 8-Man championship game at Mission High School to top the Mission Bulldogs 52-24 and claim their first title since 1994.

Fish Creek check stations stays busy

On the eve of the end of the fourth week of the big game season, the Fish Creek game check station had two biologists standing around a fire pit dressed in Arctic clothing and quite happy.

Funke elected Mineral County Sheriff

Republican Ryan Funke was elected Mineral County sheriff in the Nov. 8 general election.

Groups discuss plans for rail-trail project

When the Great American Rail-Trail construction is completed, it will connect the U.S. coasts from Washington D.C. to Washington State, a distance of 3,700 miles.

St. Regis honors veterans at school assembly

St. Regis students decorated the school cafeteria for Veterans Day with red, white and blue balloons, posters, crepe paper and thank you cards.

West End fire crews get hands-on training

Training exercises can be ho-hum when it’s the same routine or project time after time.

Superior gets decked out for the holidays

There are some quaint Montana towns that simply radiate with Christmas spirit. Downtowns that are decked out in twinkling lights.

Local 4-H members celebrate award winners

Sanders County 4-H members and volunteers came together Sunday, Nov. 6 to celebrate and award their young members during their annual 4-H Achievement Days banquet.

Plains Council OK emergency repairs to water line

It was a busy agenda for the Plains Town Council last week, with the public filling all available seating in the council room.

Plains ceremony honors service of veterans

This past Wednesday, students and staff at the Plains School sponsored the program Honoring All Who Served.

Veterans present a memorial wreath ceremony at Plains Cemetery

Veterans from local VFW Post 3596 gathered on a brisk cloudy day to honor their military brothers and sisters, during the annual wreath presentation ceremony at the Plains Cemetery.

Anita Carol Wise

Anita Carol Wise

Edith Adell Loder

Edith Adell Loder

Joseph A. Waldoch

Joseph A. Waldoch

Community calendar

Community calendar

COLUMN: That's a wrap for fall sports

Wow! Can it really be three sports seasons have sped by in my retirement days of writing for the Valley Press and Mineral Independent?

Lady Hawks battle at state volleyball tourney

When they first distribute schedules each season there are a few places players look first.

B-C football championship roundup

So who are the new State champions in the Fall sports B-C world?

All-State volleyball honors awarded

Three players named to the 2022 Western 14C conference were also chosen as All-state performers in recently released postseason honors tabulations.

Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls

Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls

VFW hosts anniversary party

Plains VFW Post 3596 held their annual anniversary party last Saturday with door prizes, a silent auction, lasagna dinner and music. Post Commander Ron Kilbury presents the final door prize of the night, a 22-250 Remington Savage rifle to winner Tony Larson.

Legals for November, 16 2022

Region 2 elk and deer harvests up

Hunter check stations in west-central Montana continue to report elk and deer harvests up from last year and the five-year average.

Holiday craft fair and bazaar in Superior

The Holiday Craft Fair and Bazaar at the old school in Superior had a wonderful turnout on Saturday November 12.

Montana voters support local marijuana taxes and sales

Two years after Montana voted to legalize adult-use marijuana, residents of more than a dozen counties and cities returned to the ballot box this month to consider local measures to either ban sales or add taxes to adult-use and medical marijuana.

Gianforte reveals budget for 2023 Legislature

Gov. Greg Gianforte unveiled his proposed budget Thursday, a fiscal roadmap that he said is poised to represent the largest tax cut in Montana history.

Christmas tree permits now available

Lolo National Forest Christmas tree permits are now available for finding the perfect tree for your home this holiday season.

Plains Mayor Dan Rowan elected to county commission

Plains Mayor Dan Rowan scored a decisive victory Tuesday night in his campaign for the Sanders County Commission seat in District 1, while John Holland secured the county commission’s District 2 seat.

Input sought for hospital's needs assessment

Clark Fork Valley Hospital is gearing up for their 2023 Community Health Needs Assessment and is asking community members to participate in a county wide survey focusing on healthcare.

Sanders County Medicare enrollment

Medicare open enrollment is going on now until Dec. 7. We wanted to make sure that you are aware that the ONLY Medicare Advantage Plan that Clark Fork Valley Hospital is in network with is Humana Medicare.

Lady Hawks punch ticket to state

Welcome to the Department of Redundancy Department, Volleyball division for volleyball.

Superior ends season in frigid loss at Culbertson

Football is a crazy game. Everyone knows it, and it is strangely why so many people love the game with the oblong ball.

Lady Bobcats battle at divisional tourney

They battled their way out of the tangled world that is Montana Western 14C high school volleyball.

COLUMN: No whistling in sports

You know who you are.

COLUMN: The Greatest Generation

It’s a memory that will stay with me forever.

Daniel Ward Noonan

Daniel Ward Noonan

Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls

Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls

PHOTO: Fire departments host chili cook-off

PHOTO: Fire departments host chili cook-off

Meeting to discuss water rights in Flathead Compact

You’ve heard that water will be the next gold for years, and it appears it’s coming to fruition.

Hunters discuss public access on MKH lands

Losing the privilege to hunt on property that has become your favorite spot over the years stings. Big time!

Superior asked to help name new Bobcat mascot

Thirty years is pretty old for a Bobcat. And this particular kitty needs much more than a bath and a makeover – in fact it’s time for a complete upgrade.

Community calendar

Community calendar

Legals for November, 9 2022

Wild winds challenge Mack Days anglers

Big, whopping, unrelenting wind hit Flathead Lake over the eighth week of 2022 Fall Mack Days.

PHOTOS: Halloween fun in Plains

PHOTOS: Halloween fun in Plains

Halloween at Clark Fork Valley Hospital

Trick or treaters visit the long-term care Halloween event at Clark Fork Valley Hospital.

Polson museum offers free admission to veterans

The Miracle of America Museum in Polson will honor all veterans on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, by offering them free admission to the museum, along with their spouses.

Legals for November, 2 2022

PHOTOS: Plains district volleyball action

PHOTOS: Plains district volleyball action

PHOTOS: Thompson Falls district volleyball action

PHOTOS: Thompson Falls district volleyball action

Valier upends Noxon in playoffs

In the days of late summer, hope springs eternal on football fields everywhere in this land.

Hot Springs' season ends in playoff heart-breaker

For all its purported roughness and toughness, football can also be a cruel breaker of hearts.

Bobcats rebound with dominant playoff victory

The good teams all have it and all do it.

COLUMN: The fall classic

Anyone else notice something missing lately?

Elections workgroup gives update following system examination

Montana’s elections practices were found to be “safe and secure” following an examination from a workgroup made up of representatives from organizations and stakeholders across the state.

Applications for trail grants now open

Recreational Trails Program 2023 application cycle opens November 1

Above average hunter success for west-central Montana’s opener

After the first two weekends of big game season, west-central Montana hunter check stations are reporting elk and deer harvest totals that are up from last season and the five-year average.

Spotlight on the arts: Hayley Fausett

Spotlight on the arts: Hayley Fausett

Meet the candidate: Colleen Hinds, Democrat for HD13

Meet the candidate: Colleen Hinds, Democrat for HD13

U.S. House candidates Tranel and Lamb discuss issues at Paradise debate

The Paradise Center last week hosted a debate attended by two of the candidates for Montana's District 1 U.S. House seat, Democrat Monica Tranel and Libertarian John Lamb.

FWP opens online survey for Fish Creek

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is working with the University of Montana to develop a framework for managing recreation on its lands in the Fish Creek watershed, located approximately 30 miles west of Missoula.

St. Regis hosts fall festival

On the evening of Saturday, Oct. 29, Tiger Street in St. Regis was marvelously transformed into the first of its kind, Fall Festival. From 4-6 p.m., the road was closed to traffic so that little ones dressed up as princesses, ninjas, witches, and skeletons could safely stroll along the street lined with carnival games and trunk or treating.

Jody Lyn Valerio, 67

Jody Lyn Valerio, 67

I-90 road work wraps up for season

Say goodbye to the orange cones, candles and barrels on I-90 on both sides of St. Regis, at least until next year.

Big grant awarded to De Borgia Fire Department

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester's office announced that about $287,000 has been secured for the De Borgia Volunteer Fire Department through the Federal Emergency Management Administration’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants.

Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls

Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls

PHOTOS: St. Regis Scarecrow Row

PHOTOS: St. Regis Scarecrow Row