Wednesday, March 29
Community baby shower helps new and expecting moms
The Thompson Falls Elks Lodge on Saturday welcomed new and expecting mothers from around Sanders County for the annual community baby shower.
Public Law 280 hearing draws some opposition
Two men who said they were members of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes spoke Friday in opposition to two bills aiming to shift financial responsibility of overseeing felony offenses in the Flathead Reservation to the state.
Mildred “Millie” Ree (Hale) Preston Joy, 88
Mildred “Millie” Ree (Hale) Preston Joy, 88
Harold Dale Kelly, 71
Harold Dale Kelly, 71
Longtime Superior counselor has touched many lives
Choices for Change Counseling in Superior opened its doors back in February of 2004, led by Nancy Smith.
Kenneth Owings Miller, 76
Kenneth Owings Miller, 76
Spotlight on the Arts: Travis Hill
“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.
Proof of the power of science-based forestry
John Bernard Leiberg was the first scientist to see the Lolo National Forest.
St. Regis shows support for law enforcement after hostage incident
Around 100 people gathered in the St. Regis School gymnasium March 20 as a community assembly was called for those who may need counseling or just want to talk about the shooting incident March 18 where a suspect in an Idaho armed robbery was killed by law enforcement after shooting a hostage near the travel center.
Plains softball opens season at Polson tourney
It was the first pitch, of the first game of the new season.
St. Regis track returns core athletes
Small but mighty. “That’s how we roll,” said St. Regis head track and field coach Jesse Allan with a smile as he describes this year’s Tigers team.
Strong and scrappy young girls join wrestling club
The sport of Little Guy Wrestling has been gaining in popularity in recent years, most notably among strong and scrappy young girls.
State qualifiers return to lead Plains track
It’s been a recurring them this year when it comes to looking ahead at area high school track and field teams: most, if not all, have strong groups coming back and some promising potential moving up in the form of underclassmen.
Clark Fork Soccer Alliance kicks off spring season
By shear numbers alone, soccer is on a par with any other sport in this area.
Wrestleballers defend Superior dodgeball championship
Dodge, duck, dip, dive, dodge.
Superior measures up at Bitterroot track meet
It was the first meet of the season, one which survived the threat of incoming snow and cold temperatures.
Legals for March, 29 2023
SB-99 protects the next generation of Montanans
There is a reason Montana is the Last Best Place in the country. Over the last decade, the Montana Republican Party has made tremendous progress in advancing our priority of protecting the future generation.
Superior track opens season at Blue Devil Invitational
As one of the few teams in the area to have already competed in an early season track meet, the Superior High boys and girls got a sneak preview of their up and coming athletes.
Plains golfers tee off season at Eureka
Mother Nature willing, it’s time for some high school golf.
Montana Indian Child Welfare Act gets a Senate hearing
Roberta Duckhead Kittson Nyomo said she and her brother were among the last Native American children adopted out of Thompson Falls before the federal Indian Child Welfare Act was passed in 1978.
Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls
Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls
COLUMN: I'm coming for you Wally Eye
I’ve officially had it! Enough is enough.
Blue Hawks field deep track roster
A solid core of talented upperclassmen and a very promising group of freshmen and sophomores has hopes high in Thompson Falls’ track and field for the 2023 season.
Gianforte: Montana jobless rate ties all-time low
Montana’s unemployment rate tied an all-time low record in January, Gov. Greg Gianforte announced at a recent press conference.
Wednesday, March 22
Alberton test scores on the rise
Each year Alberton students in grades K-11 participate in standardized testing, along with every other school in the U.S.
Snowmobile club discusses Saltese Trestle with Zinke
U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke met with members of the Montana Nightriders Snowmobile Club in Haugan last week to hear about their valiant effort to repair and bring the Saltese Trestle up to safety standards to motorized and non-motorized traffic.
William "Bill" Harger, 89
William "Bill" Harger
PHOTOS: Plains High School prom
PHOTOS: Plains High School prom
Unruly behavior at commission meetings
I am deeply concerned about what is happening in our county and more specifically, the behavior that is occurring at our Mineral County Commissioners’ meetings.
PHOTOS: Superior High School prom
PHOTOS: Superior High School prom
Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls
Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls
Legals for March, 22 2023
FVCC summer classes begin May 22
Flathead Valley Community College’s summer semester registration is open and classes begin Monday, May 22.
Gianforte visits Meuli Ranch in Dayton
Black cows finished the hay on the feedground as ranchers Mike and Nancy Meuli welcomed Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and First Lady Susan Gianforte to their ranch west of Dayton Monday.
PHOTOS: I love to read at Noxon School
PHOTOS: I love to read at Noxon School
Plains fields promising softball roster
A solid group of returnees from last year’s team that made it to Divisionals, along with some promising newcomers give the Plains Trotters reason to be optimistic heading into their season-opener this Saturday in Polson.
New stars to replace four outstanding track and field grads
It’s a theme fairly common among small town track and field programs and other sports at the high school level.
Jury convicts Heron man of kidnapping son, fleeing to Costa Rica
A federal jury on Wednesday convicted a Heron man of kidnapping his son in violation of a parenting plan and taking him to Costa Rica, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Savage Heat track boats solid core of underclassmen
How do you replace two of the best athletes to don Hot Springs uniforms in recent memory? With a talented and eager group of youngsters.
T-Falls golf teams optimistic heading into Class B season
Things were pretty good last year for the Thompson Falls golf team, led by Ellie Baxter’s standout junior season.
Lady Cats' draw strong roster for tennis season
Often lost in the chaos that can be part of sports is a simple thought: have fun! Most refs or umpires don’t yell “work ball” at the beginning of a game, they say “play ball”.
Lady Hawks softball returns good crop of starters
There are so many things that come together to make a good softball team.
Track season off and running this weekend
Spring sports fans, cinch up the Velcro, tighten up your wigs and dust off your running shoes.
COLUMN: Lure of coaching
It is, or for sure can be, one of the greatest experiences a sports-minded person can have.
Plains VFW celebrates St Patrick’s Day
Members of Plains VFW Post 3596 sponsored a St. Patrick’s Day gathering on Saturday with a free dinner and music.
Sunday, March 19
First grass fire of season burns 5 acres near Plains
Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District responded Saturday to the first grass fire of the season.
Idaho robbery suspect killed after hostage shot in St. Regis
A suspect in an Idaho armed robbery was killed by law enforcement after shooting a hostage near a travel center in western Montana, authorities said.
Wednesday, March 15
Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls
Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls
Leo Harteis, 77
Leo Harteis
Carole E. Smith Tompkins Howard, 81
Carole E. Smith Tompkins Howard
Community Calendar
Community Calendar
Wildland firefighters train for upcoming season
Wildland firefighters train for upcoming season
Noxon students put science projects to the test
On a cold snowy day, Noxon’s Elementary's kindergarten through sixth-grade classes celebrated their first annual science, technology, engineering, art and math fair, better known as “STEAM.”
Plains considers lease of railroad property
The March’s Plains Council meeting was standing-room only to address the many agenda items.
Local hoopers earn All-State selections
Four players from the 14C basketball conference, two all-state selections from the boys and two from the girls, highlight this year’s 2022-23 recently released post-season honors.
Bigfork girls complete run to State B title
It was, to say the least, a very successful showing for Western Division Class B and C teams as the 2022-23 Montana High School basketball season came to a close this past weekend in Billings.
COLUMN: March's madness begins
One of the strangest events, yet most beautiful to the eyes of sports fans, gets under way this week.
VFW Auxiliary serves up home cooking to local veterans
It’s the sweet aroma that strikes you first, followed by the sight of busy cooks turning potential chaos into a delightful breakfast.
Lady Hawks' Baxter gets All-State nod
As expected, the unbeaten Class B state champion girls from Bigfork dominated the recently released Western 7B all-conference and All-State basketball list, placing the Gunlock sisters, Braeden and Paeten on the first team conference roster and as selections to the Class B All-State team.
Mineral County Fair Board adds 2 new members
The 4-H kids are raising their livestock. The Superior LIONS are working with the stock manager for the Go for the Gold Rodeo.
Sidney Kuhl wins Energy Share art contest
A fourth-grade student from Superior Elementary School won second place in Energy Share of Montana’s statewide art contest.
Rep. Loge recaps first half of session
The Montana State Legislature has 150 seats — 50 for the Senate and 100 for House.
St. Patrick's beer garden benefits Rec Club
"If you’re lucky enough to be Irish, then you’re lucky enough," is an old saying that is heard especially on March 17 of each year.
Obligation to keep county offices open
I am a former resident and former employee of Mineral County, Montana.
Workshops offers guidance on starting a food business
Let’s say that people rave about your salsa and tell you that you should sell it and you’d make a million bucks.
1,356 steps: Lapinski brothers take on firefighter challenge
On the morning of Sunday, March 12, two young men from the small town of Superior competed in Seattle at the 32nd annual LLS Firefighter Stairclimb in support of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
4-Hers vie for spot at state competition
Calm, cool, collected and informative.
Non-partisan forum discusses Montana Constitution
This Sunday, March 19, from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Paradise Center in Paradise, there will be a “Constitutional Forum to Support and Defend Montana’s Constitution.”
Legals for March, 15 2023
Wednesday, March 8
Community calendar
Community calendar
Legals for March, 8 2023
Keep politics out of grizzly review
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has begun a 12-month review of petitions from the states of Montana and Wyoming to delist grizzly bears and remove the protections it has under the Endangered Species Act.
Local schools gear up for inaugural baseball season
As a coach, Rick Powers had no chance, or perhaps no choice.
Plains' activity fundraiser draws big crowd
Plains cares. That’s the plain and simple truth one could take away from the turnout and community donations response at Saturday night’s “Fiesta” fundraiser at Plains High School.
COLUMN: Play ball!
In our young minds, we were pioneers, the original “boys of summer”.
Superior's Darby Haskins signs with UM rodeo team
Signing Day for the NFL Draft could not hold a candle to the crowd of people on March 1 in the all-purpose room of Superior High School.
PHOTOS: Noxon celebrates 'I Love to Read'
PHOTOS: Noxon celebrates 'I Love to Read'
Bison restoration to focus on expanding tribal herds
U.S. officials will work to restore more large bison herds to Native American lands under a Friday order from Interior Secretary Deb Haaland that calls for the government to tap into Indigenous knowledge in its efforts to conserve the burly animals that are an icon of the American West.
PHOTOS: Superior's Dr. Seuss Day
PHOTOS: Dr. Seuss Day
Sharon Kaye (Stenberg) Rogers
Sharon Kaye (Stenberg) Rogers
Sharon Ann Wilson
Sharon Ann Wilson
PHOTOS: Alberton High prom
PHOTOS: Alberton High prom
Library storytime celebrates Dr. Seuss
His first book, "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street," was rejected 27 times before it was finally published by Vanguard Press in 1937.
Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls
Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls
Region 1: Big game licenses on sale
March 1 was a big day when it came to hunting and fishing in Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 1.
St. Regis FFA Week
National FFA Week took place the week of Feb. 20-24.
Plains drama students explore life choices in 3 skits
Time spent at Friday’s evening performance with the Plains High School Drama group was rewarded with three thought-provoking skits.
Hot Springs students perform 'Emperor’s New Clothes'
The Hot Springs Artist Society, Hot Spring School and the Missoula Children's Theater gave two performances of "The Emperor’s New Clothes" on March 3.
I love reading program ends with a mess
Elementary school students in Plains ended the “I Love Reading” program for 2023 with a mess to clean up.
Work group discusses Plains growth policy update
Sanders County residents met last week at the Paradise Center to discuss future growth in and around Plains.
Wednesday, March 1
Mineral County Performing Arts Council presents 'Jaca'
The Mineral County Performing Arts Council was formed in 2007 and sponsored a set of informal concerts to immediate public enthusiasm.
Legals for March, 1 2023
Kalispell man charged for threats to Senator Tester
A Montana man has been charged with threatening the life of Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester via voicemails left at his Kalispell office, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Fish and Wildlife Commission gains two new members
Ravalli County Commissioner Jeff Burrows and Bozeman-based campground owner Susan Kirby Brooke are officially joining the Fish and Wildlife Commission, the governor-appointed body charged with establishing hunting and fishing regulations and reviewing Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks land acquisitions.
Glacier Park to reopen Avalanche campground
Glacier National Park will reopen the Avalanche Campground this year after being closed since 2020.
Glacier opens reservations for July
The next round of Glacier National Park vehicle registrations begins Wednesday, March 1 at Recreation.gov.
Legislators react to GOP's break with Racicot
State legislators in the Flathead Valley are — like the former governor himself — unsurprised by the Montana Republican Party’s public break up with Marc Racicot.
Charlo boys and girls eliminated at Western C
For Charlo’s boys and girls basketball teams the journey to frozen Butte and the Maroon Activities Center ended way too soon.
Top-seeded Tigers find early exit at Western C
Maybe it was a weird form of climate change.
COLUMN: Winter sports wrap up
I will miss this basketball season and the group of characters who took to the courts from Sanders, Mineral and Lake counties.
Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls
Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls
Lady Bobcats' season wraps up at Western Divisonals
There are two fairly well-known sayings in the grand game of basketball that most folks know: speed kills, and you can’t coach kids to get taller.
T-Falls girls bounced from divisionals
The playoffs in any sport often produce unexpected results, mostly because the level of talent and ability of the players increases as the postseason ladder gets steeper.
Blue Hawks make strong run at Western B tourney
For the Thompson Falls boys basketball team, the Western Divisional Class B tournament in Anaconda this past weekend was like a microcosm of their season.
Community Calendar
Community Calendar
Legislation to fund Public Law 280 advances in Senate
After a hearing that included testimony from several local officials, legislation that could help Lake County fund law enforcement under Public Law 280 is advancing in the Senate.
Injured Western Montana trooper faces long recovery process
Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Lewis Johnson made a brief public appearance to thank supporters and well-wishers at Logan Health Medical Center on Sunday, 10 days after he suffered critical injuries while pursuing a vehicle in Lincoln County.
Hot Springs sixth-grader claims county spelling bee title
The top spellers from six Sanders County school districts took part in the annual county spelling bee last week.
Semi-truck wreck downs power lines near Plains
Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District and Montana Highway Patrol Officer Thomas Tafoya were dispatched Feb. 22 to a semi-truck non-injury accident on Montana 28, just north of Plains.
Legislature hits transmittal break
This letter deals more with the process of the Legislature than with the actual legislation.
Clinton ranch home to Montana's largest herd of Highland cattle
The Highland Cow is the oldest registered breed of livestock in the world and is a Scottish class of rustic beef cattle.
