Ellington

Plains boys enter basketball season with high expectations

No doubt about the cyclical nature of high school sports, especially in small towns.

COLUMN: Turkey games

So, just how intertwined are sports in the American experience?

Plains locals brave snowy Turkey Trot

It has, over the years, become a Thanksgiving tradition.

Locals strut their stuff at Turkey Trot

It was 33 degrees at 9 a.m. when the airhorn blast was the starting signal for the Turkey Trot 5K run/walk from the parking lot of the Mineral County Food Bank.

PHOTO: 9-mile Turkey Shoot

PHOTO: 9-mile Turkey Shoot

New pet rescue group believes anything is 'pawsable'

“We had a tiny kitten that had been attacked by a dog dropped off, and we had to get veterinary help. We raised more than $500.00 in less than eight hours. Unfortunately, the baby passed despite our best efforts and all our prayers. It’s part of rescue that Debbie and all of us volunteers have to handle,” shared Glenda Wallace with the newly formed SOAR 54 (Supporters of Animal Rescue 54).

PHOTO: Holiday Bake Sale

PHOTO: Holiday Bake Sale

Legals for November, 29 2023

Plains kicks off holiday season with parade, shopping deals

The streets of Plains were full of holiday shoppers Saturday taking advantage of discounts being offered by local vendors.

Judge’s order halts wolf trapping and snaring season in most of Montana

Wolf trapping and snaring in Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks regions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and in Hill, Blaine and Phillips counties won’t start until Jan. 1 and will run through Feb. 15, according to a federal court injunction issued Tuesday.

Five seniors to lead Trotters girls basketball

There is a quiet sense of optimism pervading the Plains High gym these days as the Trotters prepare for the upcoming girls basketball season.

Lake County initiates withdrawal from law enforcement agreement

The Lake County Board of Commissioners sent a certified letter to Gov. Greg Gianforte on Monday, formally announcing their intention to withdraw from Public Law 280, the nearly 60-year-old agreement that gives the state jurisdiction over felonies committed by tribal members on the reservation.

Zinke's Fill the Lake Act meets mixed reactions

Shortly after Rep. Ryan Zinke introduced legislation aimed at keeping Flathead Lake at full pool during the height of summer, operators of the SKQ Dam called the congressman’s proposal unworkable.

Montana Supreme Court says counties wrong on 95-mill tax issue

The Montana Supreme Court Wednesday ruled against Montana county governments in a dispute over the Montana Department of Revenue’s authority to order the full collection of the 95-mill state-level school equalization levy, a formerly obscure piece of tax bills that became a flashpoint this fall as state and local officials contended with frustration over rising property taxes.

Judge limits Montana wolf trapping season over threat to grizzly bears

A federal judge in Missoula issued an order late Tuesday afternoon that will limit Montana’s wolf trapping season to Jan. 1 to Feb. 15 next year in hunting Regions 1 through 5 and three counties along the north-central border, citing the possibility that endangered grizzly bears get caught in wolf traps or snares.

Thompson Falls Elementary 1st Quarter Honor Roll

Thompson Falls Elementary 1st Quarter Honor Roll

Forest district honored for recreation program

The West Zone Recreation Program on the Lolo National Forest received the Regional Forester Honor Award for Interdependence, Partnership, and Public Engagement this year.

Public takes part in revision of Lolo Forest plan

The Wildland Urban Interface is the lands that are in proximity to structures as mapped by County Wildfire Protection Plans. It is the culmination point where state, federal and local land management plans and programs must merge in an equitable and functional manner.

Applications open for art scholarships

Sandpiper Art Gallery and Gifts in Polson has opened the application period for their art scholarship program.

Choose to believe

Choose to believe

Susan Lee (Lammert) Flory, 82

Susan Lee (Lammert) Flory, 82

Legals for November, 22 2023

Prep basketball drops 1-and-1 free throws

Last spring, the National Federation of State High School Associations struck the traditional one-and-one foul shots from its basketball rule books. The move was made to speed up games and eliminate rough play during the first foul shot.

Underclassmen step up for Blue Hawks basketball

The changing of the guard continues in Thompson Falls.

Superior Bobcats ramp up for hoops season

As is often the case given the cyclical nature of high school athletics, rosters change yearly, sometimes in a major way that launches a rebuilding effort.

Sources: Alberton won't field girls basketball team

It was, in the end, a matter of numbers.

Locals earn All-State volleyball honors

The votes are in and the outcomes are mostly what was expected.

Plains teacher bags massive bighorn

For 30 years, Mike Tatum has been waiting for the chance.

COLUMN: Eating crow

I’m sure of only one thing….it tastes really sour and I haven’t had a bite yet.

Holiday season kicks off in Sanders County

The spirit of giving is alive and well in Sanders County.

My first muley: Persevering and pushing onward

For the last three rifle seasons, I’ve set out to harvest my first mule deer buck.

Energy Share helps keep the lights and heat on

Many Montanans have heard about Energy Share of Montana but may not realize exactly what it does.

FWP recruiting AmeriCorps applicants

After Hunter Sickerson graduated from MSU-Billings with honors, he knew he wasn't ready to settle down in a typical 8-to-5 job. He worked in the field of archeology, conducting surveys on archeological sites for a private firm until he heard about an opportunity for national service through Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks AmeriCorps.

Salish Language School visits Alberton

“Our people were the first people to live on this land, and our people will be the last ones to leave it,” Allen Pierre told the student body of the Alberton School District recently.

Plains Elementary School 1st quarter honor roll

Plains Elementary School 1st quarter honor roll

Legals for November, 15 2023

Commissioner regrets text message

I recently sent a text I deeply regret.

PHOTO: Superior Christmas decorations

With a 60-foot hoist, volunteers hang Christmas lights on the Mineral County Courthouse and Trail West Bank trees on Saturday. This is all in preparation for the Dec. 2 tree lighting event from 4 to 6 p.m. for a festive beginning of the season. (Photo from Randy Russ)

Alberton students honor local veterans

The entire student body of Alberton School held a special Veterans Day ceremony last Thursday in their gymnasium.

St. Regis veterans breakfast celebrates service and country

In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the allied nations and Germany in World War I, then known as “the Great War.”

Biologist reports no cases of CWD found in Region 2

Last Tuesday, the Mineral County Resource Coalition met in the county commissioners room and attendance was light. So light that there wasn’t a quorum, but the agenda moved forward.

Larry Bennett is the 'Road Report Guy'

“Hit the road, Jack” … so the beloved 1961 Ray Charles tune goes.

Plains Council looks at water loss, parking, new equipment purchases

November’s Plains Council meeting addressed several important issues.

Plains' veterans honored at school assembly

Sanders County veterans were honored last week by Plains students.

Sanders County Fair Board looks for new fair manager

November’s Sanders County Fair Board meeting saw a larger than normal attendance in anticipation of finding a new fair manager.

Plains bowling scores

Week of 10/24/23: Tuesday Senior Mixed Standing

COLUMN: Stakes are high for Brawl of the Wild

Let the zaniness begin! Make that outrageous bet as you search through the drawer for your favorite game day shirt.

Football recap: Local teams post memorable seasons

Of all the high school varsity sports played, perhaps none is more impacted by chance happenings throughout the season than football. Even the bounce of the double-pointed ball during a game can change the course of play up and down the various leagues

Volleyball recap: Rebuilding year for area spikers

It was not a banner year for Sanders and Mineral County high school volleyball teams this fall. But there were some very promising signs of better times ahead as the 2023 season came to an end last week.

Officials tout progress with new statewide election software

After putting Montana’s new election management software through the paces in a series of local elections this year, state officials appeared confident Thursday that the system will be ready for the flurry of statewide primary and general election activity next year.

For mountain goats, snow proves solace from bugs

A big snowfield in Glacier National Park might look like a great place to cool off in the heat of summer, and plenty of mountain goats are drawn to them.

States reconsider religious exemptions for vaccinations in child care

More than half the children who attend Munchkin Land Daycare near Billings, Montana, have special needs or compromised immune systems. The kids, who range in age from 4 months to 9 years, have conditions that include fetal alcohol syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and Down syndrome, according to owner Sheryl Hutzenbiler.

Mineral County Chamber reboots with first meeting

About 24 business owners, community members, retired residents and a few new faces attended a recent meeting of the Mineral County Chamber of Commerce, which is reopening after years of dormancy.

LifeFlight drops in to DeBorgia for training day

LifeFlight from Missoula made a flight to DeBorgia for the West End Volunteer Fire Department and St. Regis Volunteer Fire Department to train first-responders on landing zones and the safety on hot and standard loading procedures.

Popular Alberton watering hole reopens under new ownership

The business news in the county travels at record speed or at the pace of a glacier — but the Sportsman’s Bar in Alberton has sold.

Hot Springs nipped in 6-man playoff loss

A couple years ago, another McAllister used to be called “rodeo tough” McAllister for his strong play and ability to mix it up.

Thompson Falls tops Plains in Western B volleyball rematch

The meeting between Plains and Thompson Falls in the Western B Divisional volleyball tournament was actually their fourth meeting of the season, with T Falls ahead 2-1 in games played prior to that.

St. Regis-Mullan finish football season 8-2

Another good season is in the books for the St. Regis-Mullan, Idaho co-op football Tigers.

Superior's Hunter Haskins wins saddle bronc at Kalispell rodeo

As Hunter Haskins explains it, he learned if he wanted to be a good saddle bronc rider, he had to ride a lot of broncs.

COLUMN: A fall sports season to remember

And just like that, seemingly in the blink of an eye, the local high school fall sports season has come to an end.

Plains bowling scores

Plains bowling scores

Myers leads Mack Days heading into final weekend

One week remains in the 2023 Fall Mack Days fishing event on Flathead Lake.

Legals for November, 8 2023

Chili cookoff draws support for West End fire department

With so many activities going on in St. Regis and at the taverns in Saltese and DeBorgia last Saturday, West End Volunteer Department Fire Chief Frank Magee was very appreciative of the turnout for the second Chili Cookoff.

Nutrition program a critical component of Plains schools

The Plains School Nutrition Program is a sometimes-overlooked part of the Plains school system, yet an especially important part of each student's day. For some children, school breakfast or lunch is their only source of a nutritious meal each day.

Halloween activities a treat for Plains children

Witches, ghouls, ghosts and vampires haunted the streets of Plains on Halloween.

Superior Bobcats fall to Fort Benton, 44-30

For the first half of the game, it was as close as it gets. But in the second half, the third quarter to be precise, Fort Benton managed to pull away from Superior as the Longhorns kept their post-season Montana Class B football hopes alive with a 44-30 victory over the visiting Bobcats.

Hot Springs volleyball ousted at divisional tourney

After a late-season surge propelled them into the District 14C finals, which in turn sent them to the Western Division finals as the No. 2 seed volleyball team from the district, the Hot Springs Lady Heat ran into a buzzsaw in the form of teams waiting to take them on.

Superior opens playoffs with convincing win at Forsyth

If you could choose a time to peak in the world of sports, as in reach the peak, not take a peek, just before playoff time would be a great time.

Region 1 deer and elk harvest lags behind 2022 season

The percent of hunters with game continues to lag behind last season’s average two weeks into Northwest Montana’s general rifle season.

Community Calendar

Community Calendar

Herbert “Herb” Stelling

Herbert “Herb” Stelling, 94, of Superior passed away Sept. 18, 2023 at his home in Superior surrounded by loved ones.

Plains bowling scores

Plains bowling scores

Plains band and choir hold first concert

The first choir, band and percussion ensemble concert of the school year took place Tuesday evening at Plains High School.

4-H Achievement Night

Achievement Night recognized the livestock kids of the Mineral County 4-H program for the calendar year and monies from the livestock sale and fair premiums were distributed. Plans and policies were discussed on what will be needed, especially when the Mineral County Fair (Aug. 1-3) arrives, and the 4-H Livestock Auction occurs. Dave Brink and Emily Parks (left), MSU Extension Agents for the county, sort out the belt buckle trophies and achievement certificates before the meeting which was followed up with a potluck.

Local timber company honored with forestry award

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte traveled to Plains last week to honor and bestow the annual Forest Products Award to a family-owned business based out of Libby.

Superior students invited to participate in All-Stars Band Festival

Debbie Merrill is the band instructor for the Superior School District and is very proud of every one of her students, especially the four who were recently invited to participate in the All-Stars Band Festival.

Hunting success

Hunting success

Ornelas honored for work on DUI Task Force

Montana has 36 approved county-level DUI Task Forces serving 39 counties. Officials say effective DUI task forces are an important mechanism for decreasing the state's alcohol-related injury and fatality rates.

Young students take part in flying field trip

The flying field trip took place on Saturday, Oct. 21 with four sixth-graders and eight seventh-graders from Superior participating.

Scarecrow Row in St. Regis

Scarecrow Row in St. Regis

St. Regis celebrates the season with Fall Festival

St. Regis celebrates the season with Fall Festival

St. Regis local offers mobile mechanic service

When the check engine light is flashing, or you can no longer ignore the unsettling sound coming from under the hood of your car it’s time to get your vehicle into the shop.

Legals for November, 1 2023

Hunter check station totals tracking just above average

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

Lady Hawks second at Western 7B volleyball

This one followed the script. Four favorites to advance out of the six team Western 7B District volleyball tournament this past week in Plains did just that.

Hot Springs takes second at district volleyball

In the end, after eight grueling hours of volleyball in one day, one team walked away with the No. 1 seed in this coming week’s Divisional tournament at Manhattan Christian High School in Churchill, MT, just outside of Manhattan.

Savage Heat top Valier in playoff game

It was a good day to be a Hot Springs sports fan.

Montana solicits input on wolf management plan

Montana has a new draft plan to guide its management of wolves, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks announced late last week.

Noxon holds Great Pumpkin and costume contest

Noxon students participated in the Great Pumpkin Contest and costume party last week.

A productive legislative session for hunters and landowners

Hunting season has arrived! As hunters flock to the hills in pursuit of Montana’s treasured big game species, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the good work that was done in this spring’s legislative session for hunters, landowners, and conservationists alike.

Meetings will discuss proposed hunting regs

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host a series of virtual and in-person public meetings around the state to present proposed hunting regulations for 2024/2025 hunting seasons.

Red Lodge ends Thompson Falls' season with shutout

Top seed Red Lodge showed why they are a prime contender for a state title in Class B-11 player football with a convincing 42-0 win over Thompson Falls Saturday in Red Lodge.

COLUMN: Intestinal fortitude at 14C tourney

Intestinal fortitude, otherwise known as courage and stamina, among other definitions as outlined in Webster’s Dictionary, were on full display this past week in Hot Springs.