Ellington

Large animal vet in Heron now serving region

Dr. George White has been a veterinarian for nearly half a century and he will now be operating out of his clinic in Heron on a full-time basis.

Reflecting on 2023: Neighbors helping neighbors in River Road East Fire

In mid-December, it’s hard to remember that only four months ago several areas across western Montana were contending with forest fires.

Superior hoopers net dramatic wins over Darby

If the Superior basketball teams, boys and girls, go on to have a successful 2023-24 seasons, the spotlight will fall on Darby.

Hawks boys and girls post convincing wins over Wardens

Thursday night was a great night to be a Blue Hawks basketball fan.

Noxon posts 78 in win over scrappy Alberton squad

It may have been a lopsided score, but the real story in Noxon’s 78-47 win over Alberton Thursday night was the heart involved.

Plains basketball teams roll over Trojans

It was a Class B stampede in Troy this past week.

Lady Savage Heat topple Lady Tigers

As complicated as they can be, sports are also as basic as the numbers used to designate success on the field or court of play.

St. Regis outlasts Hot Springs in clash of top teams

It was a clash of top area boys basketball teams.

COLUMN: Failed resolutions

I really don’t make New Years’ resolutions any more.

Columbia River settlement threatens Montana's economic stability

At the Montana Chamber of Commerce, we are deeply concerned by recent developments in federal energy policies that threaten our state’s power supply and economic vitality.

A way to address high property taxes

I just read the editorial “Lets end the property tax blame game” by Kendall Cotton in which he begins by blaming local governments for property tax increases, echoing Gov. Greg Gianforte’s attack on greedy county governments.

Plains bowling scores

Plains bowling scores

What’s next in the push to restore southern Montana’s passenger rail service

Last week the Federal Railroad Administration announced that it awarded a $500,000 grant to the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority to explore the feasibility of restoring passenger rail service along the North Coast Hiawatha route, which passed through many of Montana’s largest cities along its Chicago-to-Seattle route before the service was scrapped four decades ago.

Legislation would assist in tribal management of bison

Leaders from the Blackfeet Nation and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes praised legislation introduced in Congress last month that centers tribal sovereignty into the management of bison herds on tribal lands.

Founder of Salish Kootenai College remembered for contributions to community

Many flags across the Flathead Reservation are flying at half-mast this week in honor of Dr. Joe McDonald, a visionary educator and tribal leader who died last Thursday, Dec. 14. The founder of Salish Kootenai College was 92.

Mysterious morel mushrooms at center of food poisoning outbreak

A food poisoning outbreak that killed two people and sickened 51, stemming from a Montana restaurant, has highlighted just how little is known about morel mushrooms and the risks in preparing the popular and expensive delicacy.

Sheriff Funke recaps first year on the job

Mineral County Sheriff Ryan Funke was a keynote speaker at the Mineral County Central Republican Committee meeting last week.

Major federal grant awarded for I-90 repairs

This past summer, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester wrote a letter of support for I-90 repair and bridge funding in Western Montana.

St. Regis Christmas light display contest

First place winner goes to Trina Lohman with her bright and colorful display on Main Street. Her decorations even included a Tiger with a Santa hat, which was fitting being across from St. Regis School.

The 12 days of Christmas, legislative edition

We’re all familiar with the Christmas carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” In recognition of the holiday season, I’d like to share some of the good work your state lawmakers accomplished in the legislative session at the beginning of the year, in a shortened format of the song.

Legals for December, 27 2023

Thompson Falls teams split weekend games

A split against two good teams is not perfect but it ain’t bad.

Plains girls hand Hot Springs first loss in OT thriller

It may be way too early to label a game so young into the new season as the “game of the year,” but the clash this past Tuesday between Hot Springs girls and Plains girls would get some votes.

I-90 bridge work wraps up for winter

When you see the geese migrating north next spring, watch for the orange cones and barrels to return on I-90.

Commissioners find savings by taking on new duties

When Dawn Terrill left her position as commissioner assistant and human resource director with Mineral County last year after her appointment as a county commissioner upon Laurie Johnston’s retirement, those hired for the position have not stayed.

Superior students shop for Christmas donations

Every year, Stacy Crabb’s 6th grade students in Superior have a wonderful time shopping for kids in the area that could use some extra Christmas presents.

St. Regis High School Winter Concert

St. Regis High School Winter Concert

St. Regis Winter Festival

St. Regis Winter Festival

Public Law 280: The path forward

“You have my commitment that – no matter what happens going forward – if you call 911, we're coming,” Lake County Sheriff Don Bell said during a crowded meeting at the Lake County Courthouse last Thursday.

Slide repairs planned near Heron

The Montana Department of Transportation is planning work that will address landslides along Montana 200 near Heron.

Spotlight on the Arts: Maddox VanElswyk

“Spotlight on the Arts” by The Paradise Center honors and encourages students in the arts by highlighting their talent and acknowledging the support they receive through their schools and teachers.

Virginia Carol Hayen Brown, 89

Virginia Carol Hayen Brown, 89

Deadline extended for migratory bird stamp art contest

The deadline for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks new Migratory Bird Stamp art contest is now Jan. 31. The Wetlands Protection Advisory Council will select the winning piece of art in February. The winning artist will receive a $2,000 cash prize and be featured on promotional materials throughout 2024.

Plains boys win two at home

Good vibes are the name of the games at Plains High school this year as it relates to sports.

COLUMN: Christmas wish list

Ordinarily, when the world does not seem like it’s upside down or inside out, I usually ask Santa this time of year, to bring good things to folks I know.

Local wrestlers impress at big meets

Montana has some really good wrestlers. No doubt about it. And it’s not just in the Class AA and A schools, there are some outstanding wrestlers in the B and C categories also.

Plains girls cruise over Noxon

One of the pleasant surprises of the new season, at least for Plains fans, has been the play of the Trotters, who ran their season mark to 6-1 with a 35-17 win over Noxon Saturday evening in Noxon.

Lady Bobcats lose to Seeley-Swan, Charlo

The season is young and the good news for the Superior girls is the only place to go is up.

Quinlan leads Superior Bobcats in two losses

Every now and then, its called a cycle in small town basketball, graduation can be a not so good thing.

Madelyn L. Faller, 91

Madelyn L. Faller

Legals for December, 20 2023

Paradise woman killed in multi-vehicle crash in Missoula

Two people were killed and five others injured in a three-vehicle accident in Missoula on Saturday evening.

Taxi driver serves Mineral County

There is a new 24/7 taxi service serving Mineral County.

Sheriff's Office reports recent drug busts

Efforts by the Mineral County Sheriff's Office to take a bite out drug trafficking in the region have made recent strides, according to Sheriff Ryan Funke.

Legals for December, 13 2023

Spotlight on the Arts: Lyndsie Anzar

Spotlight on the Arts: Lyndsie Anzar

Paradise Players solve the mystery of who stole baby Jesus

Who could be so diabolical as to steal the baby Jesus from the Second Trinity Church’s nativity scene?

Fire damages Plains home

Emergency personnel were paged out Friday at 12:43 p.m. for a house fire at 304 Clayton Street in Plains.Emergency personnel were paged out Friday at 12:43 p.m. for a house fire at 304 Clayton Street in Plains.

Plains Council mulls Harvest Church construction project

The Plains Town Council meeting last week was standing room only for the 23 attendees in support of Harvest Church’s construction project.

Flag retirement takes place at VFW Auxiliary

A day that will be remembered and was made famous by President Roosevelt’s iconic speech, “YESTERDAY, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”

Jan Delmont Carter, 84

Three weeks shy of his 60th wedding anniversary, Jan Delmont Carter passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Dec. 7, 2023.

COLUMN: Big league payday

In the future, archaeologists sifting through the rubble of a past civilization may stumble on a curious place of worship.

Alberton boys open season 1-2

Four games into the season and the Alberton Panthers boys basketball team already has a victory in hand.

Lady Heat improve to 3-0 with win over Arlee

For basketball purists, the clash Saturday night between the Hot Springs Lady Heat and the Arlee Scarlets in a key regional girls basketball game was as good as it gets.

Arlee shows off depth in win at Hot Springs

For the first eight minutes of their game Saturday night in Hot Springs, it looked like experience versus youth was maybe, in this case, overrated.

Bobcat wrestlers take 3rd at Bob Kinney Invite

Some day they may rename the Superior High School gym the “Crabb Pot” in honor of long-time wrestling coach Charlie Crabb.

Plains boys and girls split games with Darby, Two Eagle River

Two teams, four games, two wins, two losses.

Blue Hawks top Salmon, Idaho for first win

When you’ve had an encounter with a group of Wildcats that didn’t come out like you hoped, what could be better than smoking some salmon?

Lady Hawks go 1-1 at round-robin tourney

It was a mixed bag of results for the Thompson Falls girls basketball team during a round robin tournament in Anaconda/Deer Lodge this past weekend.

Plains hospital ends home health services

Clark Fork Valley Hospital will close its Medicare certified home health agency at the end of the year.

Federal grant to fund passenger rail service planning project

“We just crossed a major hurdle in our work to restore passenger rail service to southern Montana when we learned of our inclusion in the Corridor ID Program,” smiled Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority chair Dave Strohmaier.

PHOTOS: St. Regis Christmas bazaar

PHOTOS: St. Regis Christmas bazaar

PHOTOS: Pearl Harbor remembrance

PHOTOS: Pearl Harbor remembrance

Local delivery service makes runs to Missoula

To live in rural Montana and love the quiet life of Mineral County there is the ever-present necessity of traveling for what you need. Whether it’s a monthly trip to Missoula for groceries, doctor visits, or getting snow tires put on, everyone out here knows about the commute.

DeBorgia gets festive for holidays

People gathered Sunday afternoon inside the old DeBorgia School house, which is the community center from town hall meetings to funerals to weddings for the west end residents. In this case, it was their celebratory Christmas tree lighting and Santa arrival.

PHOTOS: Ecumenical Community Concert

Ecumenical Community Concert

Seeking positive change

It is the epitome of irony that there are people more offended and outraged by certain behavior being exposed, than I am as a target of that bad behavior.

Plains bowling scores

Plains bowling scores

Superior wrestling takes on Class B ranks

So how do you top a state team wrestling championship from the previous year?

Plains, Hot Springs girls roll at Tip-Off Tourney

I’m dreaming of some threes for Christmas. Like the ones my team can drain. Where the gym walls rattle, and outside the cattle, think we humans must have gone insane.

Grapplers begin season at Owen Invite

Perhaps nowhere is it more appreciated to be competing against non-teammate opponents than the conclusion of preseason training among high school wrestlers.

Blue Hawk's Hanks earns All-State nod

The picks are in for the 2023 Western B Football All-Conference teams, and to no one’s surprise, Thompson Falls’ massive down lineman Hayden Hanks brought home the most hardware.

COLUMN: Life of a referee

Let me be perfectly clear about this (lots of politicians use that phrase these days), I’m a fan of referees — for the most part.

Montana Capitol Christmas tree harvested from Lubrecht Forest

GREENOUGH – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the harvest of the 2023 State Capitol Christmas tree from a Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) State Trust Lands plot in the Lubrecht Forest.

Paradise Players Christmas play this weekend

The Paradise Players this weekend will present the Christmas play "The Charitable Sisterhood of the 2nd Trinity Church Christmas Spectacular" by Bo Wilson.

Lions Club brings vision screening to local schools

Plains Montana Lions Club District 37 completed its countywide school vision screening tests last week.

Care packages sent to active-duty troops

Volunteers at the Plains VFW Post 3596 last week continued a long-standing tradition of assembling care packages for each active-duty service member from Sanders County.

30-voice choir to perform in Mineral County

“My main concern is that the article clearly states that Superior's performance is on Saturday, Dec.16 as a 3 p.m. matinee,” writes Jim Goss, Treasurer of the Mineral County Performing Arts Council.

Plains students crack the case of the Elf on the Roof

On a cold and snowy Friday morning, Plains elementary students were presented with a perplexing puzzle. How can their school principal, Kevin Meredith, be in two places at once?

Volunteers spruce up Superior thrift store

During this season of giving, it’s always encouraging to reflect on the year and see how far you’ve come.

Legals for December, 6 2023

Thompson Falls wrestlers bring back strong core

A good core of returnees, including a defending state champion, are fueling optimism on the Thompson Falls campus as the Blue Hawks wrestlers kick off the 2023-24 season.

Superior gets into the spirit of Christmas

When the crowd started gathering, there was maybe an inch of snow which turned to light rain for the Christmas tree lighting that took place in Superior on Saturday night.