Wednesday, March 27
Montana rancher was trafficking, cross-breeding wild bighorn sheep, Justice Department says
A Montana man pleaded guilty March 12 to two felony wildlife crimes – a conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act and substantively violating the Lacey Act – as part of an almost decade-long effort to create giant sheep hybrids with an aim to sell the species to captive hunting facilities.
Legals for March, 27 2024
Application deadline for deer and elk permits is April 1
Application deadline for deer and elk permits is April 1
Lolo National Forest Planning
Lolo National Forest Planning
Longtime Clark Fork Coalition leader retiring
The Clark Fork Coalition is headquartered in Missoula, but their entire mission is dedicated to protecting and restoring the Clark Fork River basin. That includes Mineral County and Sanders County to where the river joins the Flathead River at Paradise.
Local musicians to perform in 'Lamb of God'
This March marks the sixth annual presentation of "Lamb of God." A sacred work created by composer Rob Gardner, it is accomplished by an all-volunteer, interfaith choir, soloists, orchestra and narrators, with seven musicians from Mineral County.
Noxon-Thompson Falls baseball kicks off debut season
Cold, rainy weather with doses of snow between the raindrops.
Golfers tee off season with practice round
It was a most welcome chance to get out on the golf course for a “practice competition” that was a three-way meet in disguise.
Hot Springs looks to overcome injury bug
There are so many variables to the start of a new sports season, including the dreaded injury bug.
Superior Bobcats feature mix of experience and youth
The theme remains the same for spring sports at Superior High School: a good group of experienced athletes with another year under their belts, and a promising core of underclassmen eager for their chance to shine.
Noxon tracksters put in work as season begins
There’s a new competitor in Noxon these days, a high school baseball team. But the existing spring high school sports program is also still there.
Alberton tracksters have high hopes
Slowly but surely the varsity sports program at Alberton High School, now in it’s second year of existence as a non-co-op team, is producing some quality athletes.
Thomson Falls starts track season with firepower
The overall numbers are down for those who came out for Thompson Falls track and field this spring.
Plains track and field stacked with returning athletes
Loaded is not a bad way to be.
St. Regis reloads with top golfers
Last year was a good year for the St. Regis High School golf team.
COLUMN: Caitlin Clark
This is a great American success story playing out in real time.
Plains community health fair draws big crowd
Medical professionals and nonprofit organizations filled the Plains School gymnasium Saturday for the first ever Community Health Fair. Sponsored in part by the Clark Fork Enrichment Corporation and the Clark Fork Valley Hospital, the event was attended by several local businesses.
Plains students organize Super Senior Prom
Plain’s school students outdid themselves on the decorations for the first Super Senior Prom that took place in the gymnasium last Wednesday.
Plains students collaborate on storytime program
A mixture of computer science, reading and storytelling took place last week with kindergarten, second, third and seventh grade students at the Plains elementary school.
Local deputies honored for response to St. Regis standoff
Law enforcement officers from Mineral and Sanders counties filled the Justice Court room in Thompson Falls last week to honor several officers for their participation in the hostage and officer involved shooting last March in St. Regis.
Montana can't have healthy forests without a healthy timber industry
The recent closures of Pyramid Mountain Lumber and Roseburg Forest Products in Missoula County is a warning for Montana and a symptom of broader challenges threatening the region's forest and wood products sect of which is pivotal for thousands of private sector jobs and crucial for federal efforts to improve forest health, mitigate wildfire risks, and cater to the escalating demand for carbon-friendly wood products.
St. Regis sidewalk work begins April 1
St. Regis residents will remember last year that there was discussion of extending the sidewalk for safer travel to the Community Park.
Apothecary in Superior offers natural remedies
The healing power of plants and the study of herbal medicine has become more popular in recent years at many people opt for Mother Nature’s pharmaceutical drug store that has been used for thousands of years by civilizations and tribes.
I-90 bridge work resumes at Alberton
Once again people will need to add a smidgen of time traveling into Missoula as the bridge construction around Alberton has fired back up.
Thursday, March 21
Mack Days: Perfect weather for opening weekend
The 2024 Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake, sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, began Thursday, March 14, and wrap up May 11.
Wednesday, March 20
COLUMN: Gonzaga Kool-aid
Let the Madness begin.
'Staff Infection' wins dodgeball tourney
The Superior BPA Dodgeball Tournament Champions were the returning teacher's team, "Staff Infection." They took down a high school boys' team called the "Skippers" to take the title. From left to right, Samijo Firestone, Jake McElroy, Byron Quinlan, Christopher Quinlivan, Jeff Schultz, and not pictured, Colin Bishop. (Mineral Independent/Amy Quinlivan)
Law enforcement officers earn medals of valor for heroic actions
The county commissioner’s room at the Mineral County Courthouse in Superior was packed last Wednesday evening, full of officers, local first responders, citizens and friends gathering to reflect and honor those who answered the call to protect the community last March during an officer involved shooting.
Supplemental property tax bills to arrive this spring
The Montana Supreme Court determined that the Department of Revenue has the authority to direct counties to levy above the current mill levy calculation limitation each year if reserved mills are determined to be available.
PHOTOS: Superior High School prom
Students dazzle at the Superior High School prom on Saturday night.
PHOTOS: St. Patrick's Day at Old DeBorgia Schoolhouse
St. Patrick's Day at Old DeBorgia Schoolhouse
Travis Edward Deardorff, 56
Travis Edward Deardorff, 56
Wayne H. Fryxell, 78
Wayne H. Fryxell, 78
Plains bowling scores
Plains bowling scores
Rex Theater owners open doors for Thompson Falls council meetings
The March Thompson Falls Council meeting was standing room only, which has been a frustration for many city residents over the last few months.
Application deadline for deer and elk permits is April 1
Hunters have until April 1 to apply for deer and elk permits and nonresident combination licenses. Hunters can buy licenses and apply for permits on the FWP website.
Spring Mack Days off to hot start
The 2024 Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake began Thursday March 14 and wraps up on May 11.
Noxon and Thompson Falls form co-op baseball team
Two ballparks. Two Montana towns. Two groups of baseball hungry young men.
Students excel at 4-H Communication Days
Perhaps among the group of 4-H presenters is a future orator of great skill.
Lady Hawks have high hopes for softball season
Last year, coach Jared Koskela and the Thompson Falls girls softball team made it to state.
Trotters softball opens season Saturday
Last year’s Plains Trotters softball team was like a tale of two teams. They opened the season losing six straight before picking up a win against Troy.
Thompson Falls golf teams tee off season
Building on the success of last year is no doubt a goal of this year’s Thompson Falls High golf team.
Carey and Sneed to lead Plains golfers
A smaller than average turnout this year has Plains High School counting on quality over quantity.
Bobcats golfers ready to hit the links
There is a common thread that runs through the high school golf coaching community around here, and perhaps everywhere.
Legals for March, 20 2024
Monday, March 18
Committee plans for Plains Beautification Day
Members of the Plains Beautification Day Committee spent Wednesday evening planning for the upcoming cleanup day, which will take place May 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday, March 14
Officials look for answers from U.S. Attorney on Public Law 280
Frustration seemed to be the tenor this week at the Lake County Courthouse as public officials contemplate their withdrawal from Public Law 280, which has given the county felony jurisdiction over tribal members on the Flathead Reservation for nearly 60 years.
Wednesday, March 13
Senior Citizens Center has new kitchen manager
The St. Regis Senior Citizens Center has been open since 2009, and in that time, they have had growing pains, as businesses do, ranging from lines outside waiting for their meals to almost closing the doors.
Crews respond to Tarko field fire
A field fire in the Tarkio area got loose Saturday and burned a little over 30 acres. Jake Fallis with the 9-Mile USFS supervised a small crew on Sunday as it was still a threat with the wind. Nathan Tomascak, with the same unit is below working the hot spots. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
St. Regis seamstress has lifetime of experience
Since she was knee-high to a grasshopper, or in this case, a Singer Sewer, Gayle Johnston’s remarkable seamstress profession has come together over the years one stitch at a time.
Council approves plan for ambulance purchase
March’s Plains Council meeting centered around financing a new ambulance for Plains Community Ambulance.
Plains students bring 'Peter and Wendy' to stage
The new Plains School gymnasium was full of laughter and song during the two performances Friday of "Peter and Wendy."
Spotlight on the Arts: Catherine Shear
“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.
Beatrice Lolita Blanchard Neely Carney, 85
Beatrice Lolita Blanchard Neely Carney
COLUMN: Spring is my season
It is perhaps the most under-appreciated thing in our lives.
Hannum and LeCoure earn All-State awards
As expected the top two teams in boys and girls Western 7B dominated the recently released state and district all-star teams for 2023-24.
Producer Partnership looks to work with ranchers in Western Montana
The idea started in 2020. The demand for beef was very high and the availability of processing could not keep up.
Legals for March, 13 2024
Box Elder wins Class C title with perfect season
It was a great season for Loyola Sacred Heart basketball teams.
Youth Conservation Corps recruits summer workers
Last call for teens between 15 and 18 to apply for quite possibly the coolest summer job they'll ever have.
Resource coalition discusses upcoming aerial survey
The Mineral County Resource Coalition is a diverse group of citizens who meet regularly to find resolutions to the complex issues facing natural resource management on public lands in Mineral County and other areas in western Montana.
Sunday, March 10
Sinus infection turns life-threatening for Thompson Falls teen
He was flown to Logan Health Children’s hospital in Kalispell the next day for emergency surgery and then would need a second brain surgery that night. On Friday he was headed in for a third brain surgery.
Wednesday, March 6
Republicans filing for Montana Public Service Commission
Republicans hold all five offices with the Public Service Commission — and as of Friday, only Republicans had filed for three open seats.
Outdoor briefs
Outdoor briefs
New Lolo Forest plan must prioritize active management, incorporate local input
The revision of the Lolo Forest Plan by the U.S. Forest Service, a comprehensive guide for managing the 2-million-acre on National Forest in Montana, is not merely a bureaucratic exercise, it is a plan that impacts both the economy and the environment in Montana, especially for the local communities and county governments hosting this vast expanse of federal lands.
Teams gear up for dodgeball tourney March 14
It’s a day that teachers and students, parents and children eagerly look forward to each year. It’s not Christmas or Halloween, but the annual Superior Business Professionals of America Dodgeball Tournament.
St. Regis' Daisy Sansom wins county bee
At the start of the competition to determine which student would represent Mineral County in the state spelling bee, about three dozen students sat nervously in the Superior High School gymnasium last Thursday evening.
Theatrical couple open Montana tour in Superior
Over 50 attendees enjoyed dinner and dancing from Nic & Desi on Thursday evening in the multipurpose room of Superior High School.
Blue birding season begins in Mineral County
The calendar and Mother Nature can sometimes oppose one another. But no matter what, longer days in any weather condition will trigger migrating birds to return north, and some of the first to arrive are the bluebirds.
Fun and games fill final day of Love to Read program
Plain’s Elementary School students last week received recognition and prizes for their participation in the Love to Read program.
Looking back: Toby's Tavern continues to hold onto its legacy
NOXON – As you pull into Toby’s Tavern, you do not expect to find anything out of the ordinary. The bar is situated on the main stretch of Noxon, a setting that is both calm and quiet.
Clarence Orla Bras
Clarence Orla Bras
Smokey Carry, 60
Smokey Carry, 60
Gregory V. Welty, 62
Gregory V. Welty, 62
Plains bowling scores
Plains bowling scores
Legals for March, 6 2024
COLUMN: Go, Joansie, go
Phone. For the love of God, where is my phone?
Montanans deserve a fair and impartial judiciary
It’s time to let you in on a little secret about America’s judicial system: we’re doing it wrong.
Archie F. Tamietti, 77
Archie F. Tamietti, 77
Ralph H. Parkin, 81
Ralph H. Parkin, 81, of Superior, passed away on March 1, 2024. He was born on Feb. 22, 1943, in Superior.
St. Regis' Pruitt earn All-State honors
Had it not been for St. Regis, this year’s 14C conference basketball would have had a distinctive purple hue, aka Charlo’s Vikings.
Thompson Falls and Noxon form co-op baseball team
Get ready for the crack, or ping, of the bat.
12 teams join new 13C conference
Now that the Class C basketball season is almost over, with only the state championships this weekend left to be played, it’s time to bid a fond adieu to the existing 14C conference.
Monday, March 4
Montana Department of Transportation director to retire
Montana Department of Transportation Director Mack Long will retire later this month, Gov. Greg Gianforte announced Friday.
Governor appoints Trout Creek senator as Lottery Director
Gov. Greg Gianforte appointed Sen. Bob Brown, R-Trout Creek, to serve as the state’s Lottery Director, Gianforte’s office said Thursday.
