Ellington

West End department builds its own truck to fight wildfires

A Type 6 Fire Truck is required which is a powerful pickup that carries a water tank, pump, and hose on the back flatbed.

Woman’s Club continues Christmas stocking tradition

The Christmas season is just around the corner, which means there is another opportunity for members of the Plains Woman’s Club to be of service by making and stuffing Christmas stockings.

Hunting season totals still up with one week left in the season

With just under a week left in big game general hunting season, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks west-central Montana hunter check stations continue to report elk and deer harvest totals that are up slightly compared to last year. The general season closes on Sunday, Dec. 1.

PHOTO DeBorgia Schoolhouse Bake Sale

The annual DeBorgia Schoolhouse Bake Sale on Saturday brought people in from all parts of the county shopping for home baked goods for the Thanksgiving holiday or to just enjoy delicious goodies that are sometimes only available at this sale. (Photo by Susan Charles)

Spotlight on the Arts: Garrett Brown

“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.

Pesticide education tour stops in Thompson Falls

Montana State University Extension’s Pesticide Education Program will host the Columbia River Basin Watershed Pesticide Tour from Dec. 9 to 12.

PHOTO Fall gives way to winter

Fall loses its grip along the Thompson River welcoming the early snows of November that will soon be covered by a blanket of snow silencing the mountains and valleys of Sanders County.

Teen harvests bull and cow elk in same day

Nicholas Cooper started hunting through the FWP Apprentice Hunter Program at 10 years old. He’s taken a turkey, a doe and a couple of young bucks, but he’s never fired a shot at an elk, until a few weeks ago.

Do you bleed Grizzly maroon or Bobcat blue?

There are many things’ Montanans can agree on. A common loathe of road construction season along with dawdling drivers in the passing lane on Interstate 90. And most would say that a summer day is nearly perfect after fishing for trout, grilling an elk burger, and watching the sunset from a secret huckleberry patch.

Kvelve's Comments: Montana fans

In case you live in a cave and missed it, the Brawl of the Wild football extravaganza was this past Saturday, and the Bobcats won 34-11 in sunlit Bobcats Stadium in Bozeman.

Horsemen tip off hoops season with varsity experience

There is “guarded” optimism afloat for this year’s version of the Plains Horsemen boys’ basketball team.

Gingerbread contest planned for Dec. 7

The Old Jail Museum will be hosting their annual Gingerbread contest on Saturday, Dec. 7 in conjunction with the Thompson Falls Christmas Parade and Bazaar.

Trotters to rely on solid core of returners

Experience and exuberance are two factors being counted on to propel the Plains Trotters girls’ basketball team to the upper echelons of the Western 7B conference this season.

Rediscovering home: Court decides Brady dispute

Micah Allard’s personnel file will remain expunged of the allegations that led to his firing by the former Mineral County sheriff, according to a court ruling filed last Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. (Judge Shane Vannatta was working late.)

Plains School Board looks at SkillsUSA chapter

The Plains School Board and local residents filled the school library Monday, during the regular school board meeting in recognition of the school's top athletes.

Plains 3rd grader is the top gardener in Montana

What do you get when you start with a small cabbage plant, add water, sunshine, and the tender loving care of a 9-year-old from Plains, named Damien Paquet?

Blue Hawks earn All-Conference nods

In what will likely be the first of more honors to come for Thompson Falls multi-sport standout Bryson LeCoure, selection to the Montana B-11 (player) football team will be hard to beat.

Kermit Ott, 89

Kermit Ott

Sanders County youth take top 2 spots in lamb contest

The Montana State University Extension Service, the Montana 4-H and FFA Programs and Montana Woolgrowers congratulate all our youth and are proud to sponsor this program.

Schober’s Towing and Repair sold after 48 years in business

Schober’s Towing and Repair started in 1976 with a one-ton Chevy and Chevron gasoline on the corner of Highway 135 and old Highway 10, where Doc’s Casino now sits today.

Legals for November, 20 2024

Turkey Trot raises donations for Mineral County Food Bank

How many guests, on average, did Thanksgiving hosts expect to serve in 2023?

Veterans honored at Plains ceremony

Sanders County veterans took part in several activities during this year's Veterans Day ceremonies honoring their service and sacrifice.

Kvelve's Comments: It's Brawl time

Wow! And that is a multi-faceted “wow.”

Local resident makes pitch for derby contract

The Sanders County Fair Commission has received a proposal for a new demolition derby management team for the next contract cycle.

Hot Springs falls in 6-man semifinal thriller

After scoring 111 combined points with a trip to the state six-player football finals on the line, it figured that a single play might as well decide the outcome.

All-conference selections from Plains, Thompson Falls

As might be expected the 7B Western Conference volleyball all-star selections were dominated by the top three teams, Thompson Falls, Plains and Eureka.

Class C volleyball standouts named All-Conference

Four players from the old Western 14C volleyball conference were named to all-star teams released this week.

Plains Woman’s Club marks a century of service

It was teatime at the Paradise Center this Saturday as residents gathered to celebrate 100 years of service by the Plains Woman’s Club.

PHOTOS: St. Regis Veterans Day

St. Regis School Veteran's Day Breakfast.

Montana FWP Director Dustin Temple to retire at end of the year

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Director Dustin Temple will retire at the end of this year, Gov. Greg Gianforte announced Friday.

Lloyd Ridings VFW post organizes Veterans Day ceremony

On Monday, Nov. 11 at 0800 hours, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Lloyd Ridings Post #6238 held a small, but significant, flag assembly for Superior Elementary School on their playground.

Logan Galloway, 44

On Nov. 7, 2024, Logan left this world to join his family on the other side. Logan touched so many people in his short life with humor, kindness, and love.

Teacher talk: 'What is the best thing about being a teacher?'

Superior schoolteachers share “What is the best thing about being a teacher?”

PHOTO: Operation Christmas Child New Day Fellowship

Left, Mary Burrows, and Julie Thomas work to fill boxes in the basement of New Day Fellowship in St. Regis for Operation Christmas Child a project through Samaritans Purse. This is New Day Fellowships fourth year participating, they started with 14 boxes the first year. (Mineral Independent/Amy Quinlivan)

Stakeholders develop wildfire protection plan

In response to increasing wildfire risks, Mineral County has contracted SWCA Environmental Consultants to work in collaboration with the Mineral County Resource Coalition and other stakeholders to develop a Mineral County Community Wildfire Protection Plan update.

Judith A. 'Judy' Pearce, 79

Judith A. 'Judy' Pearce

Pile burning operations to begin

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Missoula Unit plans to conduct pile burning today, Nov. 18, on state trust lands pending favorable weather and fuel conditions. Additional pile burns are planned through Dec. 1, as conditions allow.

Hunter check stations report less activity at season’s midpoint

At the midpoint of big game general hunting season, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks hunter check stations near Anaconda, Bonner and Darby all reported relatively quiet weekends, compared to the start of the season, but harvest totals remain up compared to last year.

Trotters go 1-2 at 7B divisional tourney

The Plains Trotters have had, by all accounts, a successful 2024 volleyball season.

Mineral County standouts earn All-State selections

Two eight-player All-State selections will be back again next year for fans in Mineral County.

Hot Springs advances to semifinals

Before the game began, there were notably several Hot Springs High football players limping during warm-ups, testing their season’s injuries as they prepared for their quarterfinal playoff contest against Highwood.

Order of the Eastern Star holds fundraising dinner

Members of The Mary Baldwin Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star served lasagna, garlic bread, Caesar salad and dessert as a fund raiser to help the Superior Recycling Center and the Mineral County Food Bank on Sunday at the Masonic Lodge in Superior.

Kvelve's Comments: Never give up

Yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Hunters play key role in understanding CWD

Chronic wasting disease was recently detected in a white-tailed deer in Kalispell. This is the first time CWD has been detected in a wild herd in Hunting District 170.

Standout Superior students eye future plans

Abby Wheeler is a senior at Superior High School and in the running for a $20,000 scholarship from Coca-Cola.

How did Mineral County vote?

How did Mineral County vote?

How did Sanders County vote?

How did Sanders County vote?

Historian revisits Mullan Road at 'Jail Break' event

Sanders County Historical Society and the Old Jail Museum resurrected memories from the early days of early Clark Fork River, Heron, Belknap, Trout Creek and Thompson Falls on Saturday during its “Jail Break" event.

Elks Lodge kicks of giving season with 'Keep Em Warm' program

Clark Fork Valley Elks Lodge has kicked off its season of giving back to Sanders County with the “Keep Em Warm” program.

Rediscovering home: Mineral County's 'Brady' lawsuits

Police officers consider “Brady cop” a bad word.

Legals for November, 13 2024

Blue Hawks finish 3rd at divisional tournament

In a season that began with a brief struggle as they found their rhythm, the Thompson Falls volleyball team rallied for success.

Trick or treating around Plains

A host of Halloween activities were available around Plains, keeping both adults and children busy during this year’s celebration.

Big game harvest trends ahead of last season

After the first two weekends of big game season, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks hunter check stations near Anaconda, Bonner and Darby in west-central Montana are collectively reporting elk and deer harvest totals and hunter numbers slightly ahead of last year.

Big Mountain Farm Stand brings European flair to St. Regis

Early in the morning as you pull up to Big Mountain Farm Stand along Highway 135 in St. Regis, there is almost an alpenglow of warmth beckoning you into the European-style hut. Inside the rounded arch wooden doorway, you’ll find a lovely collection of homemade and heartfelt creations to fill your pantry and serve at your dinner table.

Jazz performance lights up Paradise Center

Plains High School students were the opening act for The Jazz Legacy Project performance at the Paradise Center last week. Keegan Huffman played the baritone saxophone and Stanley Decker played the tenor saxophone.

Superior Halloween witches ride

On the night before All Hollow's Eve, the Mineral County Rec Club sponsored its first ever no host Halloween Witches Ride. Bicyclers were encouraged to meet at Eva Horning Park in Superior right before dusk with their witch costumes and decked out bikes. Lights and brooms were attached and the group departed for a playful pedal around town in their outfits. For its inagural "flight" the witches who attended enjoyed themselves and hope to see the event grow more each year. (Mineral Independent/Amy Quinlivan)

Mary Elizabeth Cook

Mary Elizabeth Cook

Mary Elizabeth Cook

Mary Elizabeth Cook

Abandoned puppies rescued along I-90

Saturday morning, a motorist on East Mullan near the Mineral County Airport called the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office to report a frenzied dog in the middle of the road. It was wandering from side to side, looking over its shoulder, obviously lost and panicked, the caller reported.

Legals for November, 6 2024

Wardens investigating pair of elk left to waste north of Libby

Wardens investigating pair of elk left to waste north of Libby

Fiber optic work continues along I-90

Motorists who traveled I-90 the last three days in October undoubtedly noticed more road crews, detours and equipment than during the busiest time of the summer.

Plains fisherman Jerry Benson wins Fall Mack Days

The 2024 Fall Mack Days concluded on Sunday, Nov. 3 with a total of 18,414 lake trout entries, 151 anglers out of 436 registered entered one or more lake trout.

Glacier Country seeks board applicants

Glacier Country, the official tourism marketing, management and stewardship organization for Western Montana, is seeking applicants for positions on its volunteer board. Applicants must live in Lake, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula or Ravalli counties, and work in a tourism-related business or organization.

Kvelve's Comments: Mega 13C

In theory, it was and probably is, a sound move.

Playoff football schedules

After the first round of the football playoffs, only one of three Sanders and Mineral counties schools will be moving on.

Rediscovering home: Local law enforcement

Law enforcement was light for those growing up in Superior in the 1970s.

St. Regis outlasts Hot Springs in volleyball showdown

As is often the case, play-in games for on-the-bubble teams and their hopes for post-season action can be the most intense and hard-fought matches of the tournament.

Lady Bobcats test Mission

For the Superior Lady Bobcats volleyball team, a win in the Western 7B conference tournament play-in round would be a boost to a frustrating season.

Lady Devils volleyball team battle to the end

It was a busy and no doubt tiring couple of days for the Noxon Lady Devils volleyball team this past week.

St. Regis volleyball season comes to end

The first of the new Western 13C conference district volleyball tournaments have come and gone for the St. Regis Lady Tigers who faced a gauntlet of the league’s best teams after beating conference rival Hot Springs in a Wednesday play-in match.

Hot Springs outsprints Custer-Hysham, 78-51

Fans who attended the Hot Springs at Custer-Hysham playoff contest, must have thought they went to a track meet and a football game broke out.

Blue Hawks knocked out at Malta

There will be a time when the Thompson Falls Blue Hawks enter a playoff game with an unbeaten record in 11-player Montana high school football.

Belt Huskies tame Tigers in playoffs

A fierce, game-long pass rush disrupted the St. Regis Tigers’ offense while the Belt Huskies potent running game ran up a big lead during their 57-6 Western B-8 player first-round playoff game this past Saturday in Belt.

Crunch Time program advocates for healthy choices

It was crunch time at the Plains elementary school, thanks to the annual Montana Crunch Time program.

Plains clinches third seed in divisional tourney

It’s been a whirlwind finish and a successful season for the Plains Trotters volleyball team.

Lady Hawks earn top seed at divisional

The year 2024 will be remembered in local volleyball lore as the year the rivalry between Thompson Falls and Plains reached a new level.

New additions at Trunk or Treat

This year’s Plains School Trunk or Treat Halloween festivities went off with only a few rain drops. It was a marked improvement over the blistering cold day last year. Several new sponsors were also added this year for a total of 19 candy filled trunks to visit.