Ellington

Juvenile suspect arrested after Superior school threat, sheriff says

A juvenile suspect is facing felony charges after allegedly threatening a school shooting at Superior schools, according to Mineral County law enforcement officers.

Legals for September, 25 2024

Mission gets best of Plains in key conference game

For a first half of the season game, the Plains at Mission football game in St. Ignatius this past Saturday was a contest both needed to win in a Western Conference standings race that is taking shape.

Lady Bobcats suffer two losses

It was another challenging week for the Superior Lady Bobcats volleyball team.

Heat sweep Arlee for first volleyball win

There were signs of progress this past week for the Hot Springs Lady Heat volleyball team, highlighted by their first win of the season, a 3-0 on-the-road sweep of the Arlee Scarlets Thursday night.

Trotters bounce volleyball rival Hawks

The Trotters needed the win. For themselves and their fans.

Red Devils rally, again

If this trend continues, they may become known as the “cardiac” Red Devils.

Savage Heat scorch West Yellowstone

In what was a crucial mid-season game between two 6-player playoff hopefuls this past Friday night in Hot Springs, the hometown Savage Heat routed West Yellowstone 50-0.

Boulder spoils Blue Hawks homecoming

After three straight weeks on the road to open the 2024 season, the Thompson Falls Blue Hawks returned to Previs Field for their annual Homecoming game against highly ranked Jefferson High (Boulder) this past Friday.

April Starr Worley

April Starr Worley

Alberton notches first volleyball win of season

This was the victory the Lady Panthers were looking for.

Coop soccer squad falls to Bigfork, Whitefish

In their inaugural season of high school varsity soccer, the Thompson Falls-Plains boys’ and girls' teams are experiencing what might be considered a baptism under fire.

St. Regis tops Superior in I-90 football rivalry

With the new alignment of the Western B 8-player conference, the I-90 football rivalry between Superior and St. Regis will take place each year.

Tulloch sets course record at River Bend

There is something special, and very young, brewing in the Plains-Thompson Falls area this year.

Kvelve's Comments: In full stride

Saturday, as is the case with most every Saturday during the school sports year, was a great day for this guy.

Thomson Falls Homecoming Royalty

Thompson Falls High School Homecoming King and Queen Olivia Fitchett and Kaden Cox. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)

Volunteers help out for Plains cleanup day

Volunteers spruced up a dozen yards on Saturday during the Plains Fall Beautification Day.

Plains School Board looks at declining enrollment

The Plains School Board had a full agenda for its September meeting, which included almost 40 residents attending.

Ardyth Welch, 86

Ardyth Lee “Punky” Welch (Neville) died peacefully Sept. 8, 2024 in Spokane, Washington at the age of 86. She was born to John and Marguerite (Elam) Neville on Aug. 22, 1938 in Superior.

Farmstand offers locally grown and raised options

What in the world did people do before grocery stores were the standard in every town?

Judge endorses Wilson for Supreme Court justice

It is a common refrain that voters know little to nothing about judicial candidates. It is for this reason that I am sharing my experiences with Judge Dan Wilson, candidate for the Montana Supreme Court.

Plan for ADA services in rural areas under review

In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act became federal law which was meant to be an immediate game-changer for people with disabilities.

Rediscovering home: Riverbend underpass

Sometimes it is just a matter of talking to the right person.

Mineral County Help Line prepares for fall bazaar

The Mineral County Helpline is a nonprofit organization that started in 1990 to focus on domestic violence and sexual assault victims.

Blue Hawks rack up 252 yards in loss at Manhattan

It has been, to say the least, a challenging start for the Thompson Falls High football players, coaches and staff.

Gianforte recognizes Army veteran Paul Manson

Gov. Greg Gianforte last week presented the 2023 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation to Army veteran Mahlon ‘Paul’ Manson at the Military Veterans Memorial on Railroad Avenue in Alberton.

Farmers market has full harvest of offerings

Peggy Stewart is finishing up her 16th summer as market manager of the Superior Saturday Market held on the old Superior School lawn along River Street.

U.S. health care system is broken

It’s clear that Sen. Jon Tester is a desperate man doing desperate things, including spreading outright lies, fearmongering and misleading Montanans — particularly on health care.

Adult education classes keep locals active

As the weather turns cooler and daylight hours are quickly waning, it’s that time of year for Montanans to find recreational activities indoors.

SeptemBEAR hunt in St. Regis

250 rocks were hidden in the wooded areas along the St. Regis Community Park. Bears that were painted gold were prize bears, as well as bears painted with ice cream cones won ice cream from Winki's.

Montana mine to lay off hundreds of employees

The Sibanye-Stillwater mining company announced Thursday it plans to lay off around 700 employees in Montana as part of a restructuring due in part to a dive in palladium prices and the loss of more than $350 million in Montana since the start of 2023.

Spotlight on the Arts: Django Oakcedar

“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.

Gianforte meets with Sanders County lavender farm on statewide tour

Gov. Greg Gianforte stopped in Plains last week to meet with one of Sanders County's small businesses.

Prescribed burns planned along Montana 200

The Kootenai National Forest is planning to conduct fall prescribed fire projects along Montana 200 when weather, fuel conditions and air quality become favorable.

Crews control small fires in Sanders County

Crews were able to contain the Bemish Fire in the Swamp Creek area west of Plains last week.

Barbara Darlene (Barb) Kincaid

Barbara Darlene (Barb) Kincaid

Plains XC runners off to fast start

It would be easy to get really excited about the youthful group of runners on both the girls and boys cross-country teams at Plains High this year.

Kvelve's Comments: What's a sport anyway?

It can be a fine line, other times it is not up for debate.

St. Regis-Mullan sneaks past Arlee

One of the questions coming into the 2024 high school football season was how St. Regis would fare playing their games back in Montana after several years as an Idaho competitor via their co-op arrangement with Mullan, Idaho.

Savage Heat bury Big Sandy, 45-0

It was not a good day for the Pioneers.

Hot Springs volleyball falls to 0-4

It has been a tough start to the 2024 season for the Hot Springs volleyball team, but with the core of players they have, things are likely to get better.

Plains volleyball notches two wins

Here come the Trotters. No trotting here, it's out of the gate and moving.

Noxon outlasts Lincoln in shootout, 55-53

There may not be a more exciting game this year, especially the second half, than the Noxon-Lincoln thriller this past Friday night in Lincoln.

St. Regis volleyball snares first win

St. Regis’ volleyball team split a pair of games this past week, picking up their first win of the 2024 season before running into a perennially tough opponent who swept them at home.

Lady Hawks volleyball back on track with wins over St. Ignatius, Superior

Nothing like a pair of sweeps to lift the spirits of a team that struggled a bit out of the gate.

Plains' Tulloch finishes first at Corvallis Invite

This is shaping up to be an excellent year for the area’s two cross-country schools.

Thompson Falls-Plains play to draw with Libby

Being the new kids on the block, or in this case, the pitch, progress can be frustratingly slow.

Sheehy’s plan hurts rural hospitals

I am a retired CPA and former CFO of hospitals in Whitefish, Dillon and Miles City. In addition I am a past president of the Montana chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

Heath care workers support Sheehy

As health care providers, hospital leaders, nurses, and support staff who serve or have served rural Montana communities, we condemn the recent television ads and full-page advertisements by Jon Tester’s campaign and the absolute lies being told to our fellow neighbors.

Anglers hauling in good numbers at Fall Mack Days

The lake trout anglers fishing 2024 Fall Mack Days are reeling in good numbers.

Legals for September, 18 2024

Bobcats swamp Trojans 65-14

After a season-opening 35-20 loss to Valley Christian last week in Missoula, the Superior Bobcats were ready to play as they hosted Troy in Superior.

First phase of 1,000-yard range in Mineral County underway

The Mineral County Shooting Sports Association recently received $80.000 from the Montana FWP Shooting Range Development Grant Program for Phase 1 of its 1,000-yard range.

Superior home destroyed in fire

The home of David and Gala Rice on Riverbend Road in Superior was destroyed by fire early Saturday afternoon. The Superior Volunteer Fire Department and Lolo Nation Forest firefighters contained the fire, and no one was injured. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)

Pew: Late summer is skunk season in Montana

Yes, there are more skunks killed on roads in late summer than any other time of year. It’s not your imagination.

Superior standoff suspect taken into custody

Local law enforcement apprehended a suspect following a standoff Sept. 4 in Superior.

Poet Laureate Chris La Tray visits Superior library

Montana’s Poet Laureate Chris La Tray reads from his newest book "Becoming Little Shell," on Tuesday afternoon at the Mineral County Library in Superior. He also read some of his newest poetry and answered questions on his Métis heritage and being a member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)

Dude Sheffer, 77

Dude Sheffer, cashed in his poker chips and left on his Harley for one last ride on May 28, 2024.

Wayne D. Bricker, 90

Wayne D. Bricker, 90

Trio is suspicious fires start near Ninemile

Firefighters from the Ninemile Ranger District on the Lolo National Forest and Frenchtown Rural Fire Department responded to three fires last weekend within the same vicinity. The fires were all located approximately 7 miles northwest of Ninemile, and a half mile north of Ninemile Road on National Forest lands.

Thompson Falls felon admits to gun charges

A Thompson Falls man with two prior federal felony convictions today admitted to illegally possessing a firearm and to possessing a shortened rifle after law enforcement found numerous guns at his residence, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

Independent candidate Elena Evans cleared to run for PSC

Political newcomer Elena Evans of Missoula has qualified to appear on the November ballot as an independent candidate for the Public Service Commission, which weighs the interests of monopoly utilities against the concerns of customers.

Kvelve's Comments: On the pitch

This may be a shocker to folks who know me.

Barry Fowler fundraiser at Plains Golf Course

This past weekend’s Barry Fowler Clark Fork Valley Hospital fundraising golf tournament was just the latest example of the generosity prevalent in Plains.

Horsemen fall in battle with Tigers

Decades ago, a national TV network opened its weekly sports show with the phrase, “the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat.”

Trotters fall in five-set thriller with Loyola

If the first match of the 2024 season is any indication, the Plains Trotters volleyball team is going to be an improved, edge-of-your-seat squad.

Lady Tigers notch win in season-opener

It may have been a pretext of things to come this season in the newly combined District 13C West volleyball conference season openers for the St. Regis Lady Tigers.

Lady Bobcats volleyball take on Wardens

One thing is for certain, the young Superior Lady Bobcats volleyball does not give up.

Lady Panthers fall in conference play

The combination of Western C conferences 13 and 14 one large 13C conference brings some new foes together on a regular basis this season.

Blue Hawks lose in Joliet, 23-14

It will likely be good for some home cooking for the road-bound Thompson Falls Blue Hawks B-11 football team.

Lady Hawks finish fifth at Timberlake Farragut Invitational

The two best words to describe the status of the local high school cross country scene could be: youthful and talented.

Thompson Falls girls soccer battles Polson

As newcomers to the world of Montana high school, varsity soccer, the Thompson Falls boys’ and girls’ teams are in the “curve”.

Lady Hawks open season 0-2

The Western Conference class B volleyball race is going to be a grind it out matter from the looks of the opening week of conference play.

St. Regis Tigers score big win over Charlo

For the St. Regis Tigers, the football game versus Charlo was just what the gridiron doctor ordered.

Hot Springs goes 0-2 in opening week

One traditional power, Drummond, and one traditionally average team, Lincoln, were on the menu this past week for the Hot Springs Lady Heat volleyball team.

Savage Heat drops close game in Centerville

Yogi Berra, the legendary Yankees catcher famous for head-scratching sayings, would have said it was “deja vu all over again”.

Legals for September, 11 2024

Foust steps down as Plains councilor

Plains Town Council members last week said goodbye to longtime council member Connie Foust, who will be leaving for warmer climates in the Southwest.

Plains refuse site closed Sept. 11-15

The refuse site in Plains will be closed for renovations starting Sept. 11 through Sept. 15.

Tester seeks funding for Noxon Bridge replacement

U.S. Senator Jon Tester last week sent a letter the Biden administration asking for assistance in replacing the Noxon Bridge and fully restoring access to Noxon’s downtown area.

State wildlife officials propose changes to fishing regulations

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is recommending 48 fishing regulation changes this year ahead of a fall Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting. While most of the changes are aimed at simplifying regulations, there are a few significant changes that anglers could see for the 2024-25 season.

Rediscovering home: Cedar Creek gold rush

Wouldn’t you know it, with the dearth of women living in the gold rush that rushed up Cedar Creek two would get in a fight over one man.

Horsemen dominate in 51-8 win over Victor

Not even a column of smoke from a nearby wildfire could deter the Plains Horsemen from the mission they were on.

Blue Hawks seal opening win over Conrad

An interception with less than 15 seconds to play was the final act in a dramatic opening day football game between Thompson Falls and host Conrad this past Friday.

Co-op boys soccer ties Lone Peak 1-1

On a bright, blue-sky day with temperatures hovering in the low 90s and upper 80s, a group of high school athletes were part of history on a field in Thompson Falls.

Sheehy says deadly Afghanistan withdrawal prompted his run for Senate

Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy spoke to around 100 people in the St. Regis Senior Citizens Center last week.

St. Regis-Mullan opens with loss

As a student of the sports he coaches, St. Regis head football coach Jesse Allan has a saying indicative of his approach at the bottom of emails he sends.

Superior volleyball shows toughness in loss

It may not be the outcome they hoped for, but the Superior Lady Bobcats volleyball team is going to be better this year.

Bearcats escape Hot Springs with win

If this is how the Montana six-player high school football season is going to go, fans should bring Velcro to the games they attend.

T-Falls harriers open season at Ronan

It was a great day for a run, with the Mission Mountains close enough to reach out and touch.

COLUMN: Little slugger

I was kicking back in front of the boob tube the other day when a glimpse of action from this year’s Little League World Series flashed across the screen.

Clark Fork Soccer Alliance accepted into U6 program

Clark Fork Soccer Alliance has been selected as one of 20 soccer clubs across the U.S. to participate in an innovative pilot grant project by US Youth Soccer.

Little Joe Road closure extended

The closure order for Little Joe Road, Forest Road 282, has been extended to October 1 while contractors replace the culvert at mile post 7.4 with a precast concrete bridge.

Sanders County Fair sets attendance record

The 2024 Sanders County Fair more than doubled its attendance over last year.

Music concerts return to the Sanders County Fair

The Sanders County Fair brought back a tradition by starting off the fair with a concert by Levi Blom.

Rescuing Cujo helps abused, neglected pets

Tucked alongside the steep slope of Thompson Peak west of Superior, a shady property filled with evergreens and gentle hills has transformed into the new home and safe haven for dogs needing a second chance.

St. Regis travel pillow tradition continues

For the past 23 years Rose Gotcher, from St. Regis has taken to her sewing machine each school year to provide homemade green and gold patterned travel pillows for the high school student athletes. This treasured fluff filled tradition provides some comforts of home during long bus rides to and from games. What started back when her granddaughter was playing volleyball, has now culminated with Gotcher's great granddaughter now receiving a pillow of her own as she plays for the Tiger's. (Photo courtesy/Jesse Allan)

Mechanical Bull World Championships

Mechanical Bull World Championships

Legals for September, 4 2024

Labor Day weekend ideal for a river float

The unofficial end of summer could not have been better weatherwise.