Ellington

Golf tourney to benefit hospital foundation

The Mineral County Medical Foundation is the fundraising arm for Mineral Community Hospital. The foundation has its own volunteer board of directors (and are looking for more currently) while they work in step with the hospital board of directors and CEO.

Legals for August, 28 2024

Plains cross-country stacked with fast fleet

Plains 2024 cross country can be at least partially summoned up by one word: loaded.

Long-term care residents enjoy Hawaiian luau

The weather for the Return of the Luau was ideal for the residents and family members of the Long-Term Care Facility of Mineral Community Hospital.

Locals embrace the friendly 'driver's wave'

The Rural Shake. A Cowboy Salute. The Drivers Wave. It has several names, but it’s acknowledging the driver coming from the other direction usually on a frontage road or on Main Street if it’s not busy.

Five seniors lead Lady Hawks volleyball

This could be a very interesting and rewarding season for Thompson Falls volleyball fans. With Plains, Eureka, Florence and Missoula Loyola in the mix, it can’t help but be challenging.

Lady Tigers reload volleyball roster

By St. Regis' standards, last year would be considered an off year, even a rebuilding year as the young squad struggled with consistency.

Plains volleyball returns top talent

They will be without some key players from last year’s 9-8 team, but the Trotters volleyball team has some solid talent and experience returning for new head coach Kim Lakko.

'This is our time': Noxon led by groups of seniors

Over the summer, during voluntary weight and conditioning workouts, members of the Noxon High Red Devils six-player football team spent a significant amount of time thinking about the opportunity at hand.

Blue Hawks head into season with confidence

Despite the loss of two college bound players, Thompson Falls head football coach Jared Koskela is optimistic his current group will have the grit to compete in the Western B 11-player conference this season.

Horseman ramp up for season with scrimmage

Two things from the Plains High School pre-season football scrimmage this past Saturday: The Horsemen are going to be a factor this year, and watch out for mama!

New ADs take the helm at Plains, Thompson Falls

A pair of home-towners were recently named activities directors at the two biggest schools in Sanders County.

COLUMN: Kids these days

In my life as a sports reporter roaming the highways and byways of these two counties, I have had a wonderful opportunity to dispel a millenniums old perception about today’s youth.

Plains school staff tests emergency procedures

Plains School staff members spent last Thursday practicing new emergency procedures.

Planning underway for Plains Beautification Day

Plains Beautification Day committee members Lana Dickens, Deborah Warren, Mary Helliwell and Anita Marsh met Wednesday evening to start planning for the Fall Beautification Day scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Plains preliminary budget reviewed

The Plains preliminary budget was the topic of Monday evening’s two public meetings at City Hall.

Mineral County Sheriff's Office report

Mineral County Sheriff's Office report July 28-Aug. 3

Prescribed burns OK'd near Rock Creek

The Lolo National Forest issued a final decision memo for the Rock Creek Ecosystem Maintenance Burning project to conduct prescribed burns on up to 19,855 acres to reduce wildfire hazard and improve wildlife habitat.

St. Regis Senior Center host family fun 'bear hunt'

Though its technically a day early for “bear” season in Montana, the St. Regis Community Park will turn into hunting grounds on Saturday, Sept. 14, for what hopes to become an annual event called the SeptemBear Hunt.

Poet Laureate to speak at Superior library

Chris La Tray is a Métis storyteller. He is a descendent of the Pembina Band of the mighty Red River of the North and he is an enrolled member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

New Alberton superintendent ready for school year

Alberton School District this school year welcomes Monte Silk as the new superintendent.

PHOTO: Pangaea River Rafting

Pangaea River Rafting

Thompson Falls, Plains form co-op soccer team

Soccer fans, your time has come!

Grizzly bear euthanized after cattle depredations near Ovando

An adult male grizzly bear was euthanized last week after four livestock conflicts in the upper Blackfoot Valley during the past month, said Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Property tax task force delivers recommendations to Gianforte

Gov. Greg Gianforte on Thursday listened to recommendations for property tax reform presented by members of his appointed task force while offering limited insight into his support or disapproval of specific proposals that will likely be debated in the upcoming legislative session.

Property tax rebate claims now open

Eligible Montana homeowners may now claim a property tax rebate.

Montana State University President Waded Cruzado to retire next year

Montana State University President Waded Cruzado announced Monday that the upcoming school year will be her last as the head of the flagship campus in Bozeman. Cruzado will retire effective June 30.

Plains Horsemen plan to ride high this season

After two winless seasons and three losses in 2023, the Plains Horsemen exploded for a streak-busting 68-6 thrashing of Troy, getting a taste of victory. They apparently liked it.

Spotlight on the arts: Dominic Nelson

“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.

Hoot-owl restrictions lifted around western Montana

After recent rain and cooler temperatures, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks lifted fishing restrictions on several rivers around the state last week. Water temperatures have cooled enough in some areas to meet the criteria to lift fishing restrictions.

Tester's attacks on veteran-run business are shameful

Bridger Aerospace started with four veterans in a barn in Montana. Our next mission became using battlefield technology to serve Americans at home.

Marjorie "Margie" (Heilman) Teeters, 82

Marjorie "Margie" (Heilman) Teeters, 82

Blackjack Roping Arena winners

Blackjack Roping Arena winners

COLUMN: Lift off

There should have been a NASA-like countdown. Three, two, one ... lift off!

Rural transportation program needs drivers for new hub

As many years as the Mineral County Pioneer Council has been in operation, numerous people are unfamiliar with the program.

History tour explores Cedar Creek ghost town

On Saturday, Sept. 7, one of the most popular historical field trips is taking place.

Back porch 'saloon' offers escape to the old West

Plains residents Dan and Pat Johnson were looking for a good way for friends and family to “come over, relax” and forget about everything going on these days.

Three fly free in northern Idaho

Birds of Prey Northwest releases eagle, hawk, osprey on the same day

The Veltkamps also set a red-tailed hawk free to fly above a rolling hay field that had just been mowed off Voeller Road near Worley, and then drove to Heyburn State Park to release an osprey.

Final preparations made for Sanders County fair

Final preparations for the 2024 Sanders County Fair took place during the August Fair Board meeting.

Hot Springs Savage Heat warming up for season's start

There was a quiet confidence, augmented by an aura of optimism, as the 2024 Hot Springs Savage Heat football team hit the field for its first official practice of the season.

Thompson Falls' cross country squad boasts plenty of youth

There is definitely a youth movement afoot among local high school cross country teams.

St. Regis Tigers happy to return to Montana football

This year’s St. Regis High School homecoming football game will be at home. That seems like common sense, but for the past several years the Tigers have been part of a co-op arrangement with Mullan, Idaho and have played the majority of their games in the Gem State.

Lady Heat boast veteran squad

A summer of hard work by a group of nine returning players can never be a bad thing in sports.

Superior Bobcats hoping youth, speed will lead to victory

The Superior Bobcats may be the most interesting high school football team around.

Rediscovering home: The story behind the repair work at Nine Mile Bridge

The bulldozers pushed scrapers until full of rock and dirt. The material was then hauled off to be used for fill on other sections of the new Interstate 90.

Viola Bernice (Nash) Allestad, 87

Viola Bernice (Nash) Allestad, 87, lived an ideal life; a daughter, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother and devoted child of God.

Volunteers descend on St. Regis River for clean up effort

The Buddy Spangler Memorial River Clean Up, held Saturday, Aug. 18, was a massive success, organizers say.

Legals for August, 21 2024

Toxic algae found in Lake Mary Ronan

An algal bloom that can sicken people or pets has been confirmed in Lake Mary Ronan, near the northeast shoreline of the lake just west of Flathead Lake, warned officials with Lake County Environmental Health.

Falls sports season gets into gear

For Sanders and Mineral county high school sports fans, the 2024 season is about to kick into gear.

Lolo Forest rescinds Stage 2 fire rules

Recent storms have brought much-needed rainfall to the Lolo National Forest, prompting officials to rescind Stage 2 fire restrictions last week.

No bull: Mechanical bull riding championships come to Haugan

In 1980, the hit movie "Urban Cowboy" made mechanical bull riding popular.

Legals for August, 14 2024

Cabin Fever Quilters Guild breaks its own record

While Paris was hosting the 2024 Olympics, records were being broken at the Mineral County Cabin Fever Quilters 23rd Annual Quilt Show.

Clark Fork Valley Hospital receives Heart Association award

Clark Fork Valley Hospital received an American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines and Mission: Lifeline achievement award for demonstrating commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of stroke, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer readmissions to the hospital.

Rediscovering home: The county fair

Nothing has changed during my time away as much as the Mineral County Fair.

COLUMN: Out of the darkness

Once again, Father Time has defeated the forces of “darkness.”

Superior Dino Dig

Superior Dino Dig

Clark Fork River Pedal and Farm Tour this weekend

Get ready for an unforgettable journey through the heart of Western Montana's agricultural landscapes with the inaugural Clark Fork River Pedal and Farm Tour.

Alpine Air CEO questions Postal Service data for air service in Montana

The U.S. Postal Service said it shifted the majority of mail in Montana that was going through air to ground transport several months ago, but the chief executive of the air transport company said the federal agency relied on bad data to do so.

Some fishing restrictions lifted in western Montana

Cooler weather and some rain led Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks on Tuesday to rescind fishing restrictions on the North Fork Flathead River in late July and loosen some of the restrictions that went into place on the Big Hole River late last week.

Bennetts celebrate anniversary

Delbert and Barbara Bennett

Family fun at Trout Creek's Huckleberry Days

If you are a parachutist, being under the chute is a good place to be. If you attended this year’s Huckleberry Festival in Trout Creek, under the parachute was THE place to be.

Memorial held for victims in Mann Gulch fire at Conrad Cemetery

A memorial was held Thursday for two Kalispell natives who died in the 1949 Mann Gulch fire as part of commemorations surrounding the 75-year anniversary of the tragic blaze.

John Allen Thompson, 75

John Allen Thompson, 75

Spotlight on the Arts: Melodie Cook

“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.

Program explores youth in the digital age

Do you ever wonder if all that time on the tablet is harmful to your 8-year-old? Or has your pre-teen become withdrawn and depressed since joining the land of social media? What about constant struggles with your highschooler in simply getting them to engage in a meaningful face-to-face conversation?

Gianforte declares disaster after storm wallops Mineral County

Gov. Greg Gianforte issued an executive order last week declaring a disaster in Missoula and Mineral counties.

Mineral County Fair parade in photos

Mineral County Fair parade in photos

Sheehy rallies support at Thompson Falls campaign stop

He came to Thompson Falls to meet with a packed hall of energetic voters, telling his supporters the “average” person needs to get involved in the election process.

Fire safety team visits Mineral County

Federal, state, tribal and local fire personnel are encouraging residents and visitors to take precaution to prevent human-caused wildfires and to be aware of fire restrictions in place.

Sheriff makes case for raising deputy wages

The cost of living is stretching wallets, but for the men and women doing their best to make public safety a top priority in the county, it is taking a toll.

Mineral County solicits survey on wildfire plan

A Community Wildfire Protection Plan is designed to assist the county and property owners in mitigating wildfire risk by assessing areas at risk and recommending measures to decrease those risks.

Gianforte, FWP say grizzly translocations shows Montana ready for delisting

After announcing on Friday that two grizzly bears from an ecosystem in northwest Montana had been translocated to Yellowstone National Park and Wyoming, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and several others said at a news conference Monday they believe states have done enough to show the federal government that grizzlies are ready to be delisted from Endangered Species Act protections.

Legals for August, 7 2024

Superior rodeo packs the grandstands

It was by summer rodeo standards a grand time.

Hot Springs basketball camp teaches the basics

The future of basketball in Hot Springs appears to be in good hands.

COLUMN: Olympic bummer

You had one job France: put on an Olympics.

Norman Reinicke, 88

Norman Reinicke, 88

Loretta Mae Laursen Porter

Loretta Mae Laursen Porter left this world to be with her parents and siblings on July 23 in Plains.

Mineral County Sheriff's Office report July 28-Aug. 3

Mineral County Sheriff's Office report July 28-Aug. 3

Northwest Montana enters stage 1 fire restrictions

Northwest Montana moved to stage 1 fire restrictions that prohibit campfires last weekend.