Ellington

Shrine Game rosters released

5 Glacier, 2 Whitefish players selected for West

Bridger Smith, Kobe Dorcheus, Mark Ahner, Carson Baker and Ben Winters from State AA runner up Glacier were all named to the West Roster for the 78 th East-West Shrine Game.

Hot Springs heads into break on high note

The before-Christmas-break basketball games are in the books for Hot Springs and other local hoopsters.

Plains teams snare wins heading into Christmas break

It was the final “tune-up” of the year for the Plains Horsemen and Trotters, and they will go into the Christmas break with a pair of overwhelming victories under their belts.

Plains burns Hot Springs in Sanders County showdown

In what is often an overlooked Sanders County rivalry, it was a good night to be a local basketball fan.

Plains students join robot battle

Plains eighth graders showcased their critical thinking, problem-solving, engineering design and basic coding skills during the 2024 Robotics competition.

Holiday sweep for Thompson Falls hoopers

It was a holiday sweep for the Thompson Falls boys’ and girls’ basketball teams at the expense of Class C Seeley-Swan this past Friday night in T Falls.

Superior boys get gritty win over Darby

With the season just a few games old, there are promising results emerging from the young, talented players on Superior High’s boys' and girls' teams.

Tigers edge out wins over Troy

The St. Regis Tigers boys’ basketball team could get to be known as the tachycardia Tigers if this keeps up.

Legals for December, 25 2024

PHOTOS: Santa joins Superior Lions for donation delivery

The loading dock at Darlow’s Quality Foods was the last stop for a team of Santa’s helpers (Superior LIONS) before delivering food and toys to families in Mineral County. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)

Bobcats swamp Charlo on the road

Saturday evening in Charlo, the Superior Bobcats swamped the host Vikings 68-44 behind the scoring of their dynamic sophomore duo, Landon Richards and Gannon Quinlan.

Wresters in the mix a pair of big meets

Local wrestlers ventured into the world of big school Montana with mixed results this past weekend at the prestigious CMR Invitational in Great Falls, and a second wrestling invitational in Arlee.

Christmas choir fills Plains with joy

An evening of Christmas music filled the air at Fred Young Park this past Wednesday, thanks to the Plains School Choir and a talented group of alumni.

Mineral County Library gets shelving upgrades

Replacing the shelves that books are displayed on in the Mineral County Library may not be exciting, unless you work there and can see the upcoming benefits.

Operation in Superior results in drug seizures and multiple arrests

Montana Highway Patrol troopers in Superior conducted an interdiction operation from Dec. 2-6 to get illicit drugs, firearms used in drug trafficking crimes, and fugitives off the streets, according to the Montana Department of Justice.

PHOTOS: St. Regis Winter Festival

St. Regis Winter Festival in photos.

PHOTO Dance Xplosion performances at the Rex

Dance Xplosion performances at the Rex

Supreme Court largely sides with State in PL 280 ruling

“Justiciable” was the word floating around the Lake County Courthouse last Tuesday as Lake County officials looked for a ray of hope in the otherwise unfavorable Supreme Court ruling regarding Public Law 280.

Cyr Bridge off-ramp closed for two days

The Montana Department of Transportation will be replacing a cattle guard on the Cyr Bridge located on Old Highway 10 west of Alberton.

Clark Fork Valley Press and Mineral Independent celebrate the retirement of Cheri Minemyer and Lisa Larson

The Clark Fork Valley Press and Mineral Independent announce the retirement of two highly regarded longtime employees, Cheri Minemyer and Lisa Larson.

Kvelve's Comments: Christmas break

‘Twas the middle of Christmas break,

Classroom lesson spreads the spirit of giving

Following are comments from students in Mrs. Stacy Crabb's fourth-grade class at Superior Elementary about this year's Christmas shopping trip to benefit local families in need.

Plains School Board discusses grants, appoints new coaches

The Plains School Board convened a special meeting earlier this month to address an end-of-year requirement as a participating school that receives funding through the Montana Advanced Opportunities Grant.

Thompson Falls teams notch wins as Shelby tourney

The field in Shelby was loaded with top-flight Class B basketball teams from around the state providing a good sneak preview of what may be in store for the season.

Superior music students compete at band and choir festival

Debbie Merrill’s music class at Superior School District has four students that just competed, or will compete, in the University of Montana All-Star Band or All-Star Choir Festival.

Red Devils topple Missoula's Valley Christian

After going 1-1 in the Hamilton Invitational one week ago, buoyed by 30 points from senior post Shane Murray, the Noxon Red Devils were looking to show their lopsided 69-39 win over Darby was no fluke.

Delivery driver rescued after vehicles gets stuck

Last Friday at approximately 9:20 p.m., the Superior Volunteer Fire Department received a request from the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office to assist with locating a stranded motorist up Verde Creek.

Plains teams score wins over Two Eagle River

It was a pair of early season basketball games with a mid-season fan atmosphere as the Plains Horsemen and Trotters hosted a pair of contests with Class C Two Eagle River this past Thursday evening.

Local teams hit the mat at Bob Kinney Invite

Sanders and Mineral counties were well represented in this year’s Bob Kinney Invitational wrestling tournament in Superior, led by local favorite Turner Milender from the host school.

Locals shine in Christmas Concert and Sing Along

Last Friday’s annual Community Christmas Concert and Sing Along highlighted the talents of local residents.

PHOTOS Alberton School Christmas Decorating

Sunday afternoon in the Alberton School cafeteria, families were having a wonderful time making and decorating gram cracker houses while enjoying warm beverages and snacks.

Hot Springs, Superior clash in showdown

These were two games local basketball fans likely had circled on their sports calendars: Hot Springs boys and girls versus Superior boys and girls.

Alberton takes losses on the road

It was a long, as in 176 miles each way, for the Alberton Panthers and Lady Panthers, who journeyed to Troy for a pair of games this past Friday night.

Hot Springs teams bury Prospectors

The trip to Philipsburg was a good one for the Hot Springs boys' and girls' basketball teams as the Savage Heat boys tripped up the host Prospectors 62-52 and the Hot Springs girls downed the Lady Prospectors in a thriller, 54-52.

St. Regis defense smothers opponents at Cascade Tip Off

When the phrase “defense wins championships” is uttered, it is most often linked with football or baseball and good defense via good pitching.

Dixon bar still making history

In 1812, David Thompson established a trading post near his namesake town of Thompson Falls and began traveling up the Flathead River exploring and trading furs with the Native Americans.

Deborah Davis-Quitt, 76

Deborah Davis-Quitt

Document details investigation of discrimination complaints by former Plains officer

A state investigation regarding claims of discrimination and retaliation against a former Plains Police officer were among the documents submitted by local business owner Matthew Jaramillo to the Plains Town Council at its last meeting as he questioned the integrity of the police chief.

Plains man sentenced to five years in prison for gun charge

A Plains man who admitted to a firearms crime after trying to sell a gun with an obliterated serial number was sentenced Dec. 12 to five years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

Shirley Joanne Conrow

Shirley Joanne Conrow, 78, of Superior passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, at her home surrounded by loved ones.

Plains Christmas concerts draw a big audience

After weeks of practice, band and choir members with the Plains Junior High and High School music programs performed to over 200 attendees during Tuesday evening's annual Choir and Band Christmas Concert.

Danna Fitzwilliams, 87

Danna Fitzwilliams

Recruiting bull riders to the fair is getting more difficult

The last Sanders County Fair Board meeting for the year included a full agenda starting with updates on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Convention.

Todd Logan is shifting gears at Rehbein Ford

After nearly 20 years of shifting gears in the automotive world, Todd Logan is ready to park his career at Rehbein Ford.

PHOTOS DeBorgia Christmas tree lighting

The DeBorgia School hosted the annual Christmas tree lighting Thursday with Santa, refreshments, roasting marshmallows, singing Christmas carols, and fellowship. No snow this year, but enthusiasm and plenty of Christmas spirit was evident. (Bruce Charles photos)

Kvelve's Comments: Who's on Santa's list?

Yo, ho, ho...it almost Christmas

Legals for December, 18 2024

Banham: No legitimacy to claims against police chief

Plains Mayor Joel Banham stamped out accusations against the town’s police chief after his creditability was questioned at Monday’s Town Council meeting.

PHOTOS Helping Hands Auction

Left to right, Aaron and Sandye Adams along with Glen Babcock worked as ‘greeters’ at the Helping Hands Auction held at the River Edge Resort & Steakhouse in Alberton. Babcock is the chairman of Helping Hands and said that this time of year, their mission is very simple: “To help kids and families at Christmas that are in need of food and clothes.” They team up with the PEAK Foundation who organizes the Giving Tree for the area and help as many people as financially possible from the Missoula area through Mineral County.

Gingerbread contest winners

The gingerbread contest was held this past Saturday at the Old Jail Museum in Thompson Falls. This is the 27th year of the event that is sponsored by the Sanders County Historical Society.

Bobcats wrestling team led by underclassmen

The Superior Bobcats wrestling team lost a solid corps of seniors to graduation and they have just six wrestlers, all underclassmen, out for the team this season.

Fred Darwin-Miller, 70

Fred Darwin-Miller, 70

Alberton trafficker sentenced to prison

A federal judge Nov. 26 sentenced an Alberton man to eight years and seven months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a drug trafficking scheme in which he worked with sources in Mexico to bring meth to Montana and to launder the proceeds, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

Rediscovering home: Spread a little joy

This column is going to be different.

Thompson Falls wrestling led by new coach

A group of 15 boys and six girls turned out for wrestling this year, the first under new Thompson Falls head coach Nate Block, who took over this season from long-time coach Mike Thilmony.

Plains wrestlers return top talent

Five state qualifiers from last season's team return for another go at it this year as part of a promising group of wrestlers take to the mats at Plains High School.

Local wrestlers warm up at Owen Invite

The 2024 version of the Owen Invitational wrestling tournament in Polson is in the books.

Noxon boys, girls go 1-1 at Tip Off

One thing for certain in the wake of this past weekend’s Hamilton Tip-off tournament is this could be an up for grabs year for local Class C basketball teams.

Bobcats notch wins at Tip Off

As anticipated, good things are in the works for the young Superior Bobcats and Lady Bobcats who each split their two games at the Hamilton Tip-off basketball tournament this past weekend.

Hot Springs shows strength at Tip Off tourney

The long-awaited future appears to be here for Hot Springs basketball.

Mineral Moms cookie frosting event builds camaraderie

The third annual Mineral Moms Community Christmas Cookie Frosting.

Plains art students spread Christmas cheer

Early Thursday morning, around 30 art students from Kristen Coles’ class descended on 14 Plains businesses. Their canvases for the day were the windows of businesses along Railroad Avenue.

Rehab work on I-90 bridges near Alberton complete

The Montana Department of Transportation and Frontier West have completed the rehabilitation of four I-90 bridges located east of Alberton.

Community calendar

Community Calendar

Legals for December, 11 2024

VFW retires flags on Pearl Harbor Day

Dec. 7, a day in U.S. history that President Franklin D. Roosevelt called “a day in infamy,” is the day chosen by members of the Plains Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3596 to retire U.S. and military service flags.

Muzzleloader heritage season opens Sunday

Muzzleloader heritage season opens on Saturday, Dec. 14, and runs through Sunday, Dec. 22. This season is for heritage muzzleloaders only; no other means of taking game, such as archery, is allowed.

Paradise Players put new twist on Christmas classic

Just when you thought you have already seen every rendition of the play “A Christmas Carol,” the Paradise Players put their own spin to the old classic.

State Rep. Loge nets a few seconds on hit show 'Yellowstone'

Being an extra on the "Yellowstone" production set can be both interesting and exciting, but one thing the extras, or seconds, agree on is that it also can be boring.

Kvelve's Comments: A fan of sportsmanship

If a meathead is someone who is dead from the neck up, is a bonehead someone who is so thick in the skull there is little room for brain matter?

Kvelve's Comments: A fan of sportsmanship

If a meathead is someone who is dead from the neck up, is a bonehead someone who is so thick in the skull there is little room for brain matter?

Emergency services committee reviews hazmat spills

The Mineral County Disaster and Emergency Services aims to build, sustain and improve the ability to prepare, protect against, respond to and recover and mitigate hazards in Mineral County.

Plains boys, girls take losses to Crusaders

No one was certain what kind of teams Flathead Valley Christian would bring to Plains, but in the end, it was crystal clear: they play pretty good basketball, with the Flathead boys winning 54-50 and the Crusader girls taking a 32-20 win.

Blue Hawks hold off Florence in Western B action

The matchup between two Western B foes was an early season barometer of where the teams are at in their first games of the year.

Big Sky Forest Products plans expansion

Mineral County's largest forest products manufacturer is set to undergo a major expansion after it was rewarded two federal grants to build a treatment plant at its St. Regis site.

Blue Hawks have high hopes in new season

A strong group of seniors and a love for the game of basketball are two of the things that give head coach Jake Mickelson optimism as the Blue Hawks prepare of the opening of the 2024-25 high school season.

Thompson Falls purchases two new police vehicles

The streets of Thompson Falls will soon see two new police patrol vehicles thanks to a grant from the Montana Department of Commerce.

Lady Hawks loaded with talent

A returning all-state forward and an outstanding point guard are just two of the reasons Thompson Falls’ Lady Hawks basketball team are expected to be one of the top teams in the Western 7B conference and Western B division this season.

Tigers return deep roster for new season

It would possibly be impossible to better the 19-5 overall record the St. Regis Tigers boys basketball team posted last season.

Thompson Falls looks at street repair plans

A pre-bid meeting was held this past week at the Thompson Falls town office for road improvements scheduled for the upcoming construction season.

Lady Tigers lean on varsity experience

It was a season of highs and lows last year for the St. Regis girls basketball team, a situation they hope to reconcile this year.

Lady Tigers lean on varsity experience

It was a season of highs and lows last year for the St. Regis girls basketball team, a situation they hope to reconcile this year.

Superior Turkey Trot: Run now, gobble later

The Mineral County Turkey Trot 5K, hosted by the Mineral County Rec club had a simple motto. Run now, gobble later.

Lanterns sent skyward to benefit cancer network

Rising toward the heavens in the dark skies of Plains, lanterns were dedicated and launched last week in memory of loved ones lost and affected by cancer.

Herman Berneking, 80

Herman "Herm" Fredrick Berneking, 80, of Superior, passed away on Nov. 18, 2024 after a two-and-a-half-year battle with mesothelioma lung cancer.

Superior girls aim to build on last season's success

The best thing about inexperience is that it eventually, with persistence, gives way to experience.

Bobcats optimistic about young talent

This could be the start of something big for the young Superior Bobcats boys basketball team.

Red Devils' roster shows size and speed

This is the year for which Noxon boys’ basketball fans have been longing and waiting.

Raymond Frederick Hood, 73

Raymond Frederick Hood

Matthew "Matt" Denison, 70

Matthew "Matt" Denison

Legals for December, 4 2024

Plains gets in festive spirit with Christmas parade

Plains started off the Christmas season in a big way this past Saturday.

St. Regis clinic joins Mineral Community Hospital

The Jack Lincoln Memorial Clinic in St. Regis is now operated by Mineral Community Hospital after the clinic's medical director Dr. Randy Lovell opted to focus on his practice in Thompson Falls.

Kvelve's Comments: The future is bright

I wish everyone in this great land could spend some time watching small town high school sports or other events involving students from rural communities, especially in Montana.

Women's Auxiliary keeps care package tradition going

Volunteers with the Plains VFW Post 3596 Women’s Auxiliary last week continued a long-standing tradition of creating Christmas care packages for active-duty military troops from Sanders County.

Mike Benson new coach for Hot Springs boys

As is the case with most schools in Sanders and Mineral counties as the winter high school sports seasons get underway, hope springs eternal.

Lady Savage Heat hoops roster shapes up

They lost only one player, but she was a key component of last year’s Lady Heat basketball team, graduated senior Lauryn Aldridge, a solid rebounder and scorer from the 2023-24 team.