Wednesday, April 30
The family brand: Tradition lives on at Charlo ranch
From eight months to 80-plus years, the crowd gathered at the Weible Ranch south of Charlo for Saturday's branding represented generations of family and friends.
Spring Mack Days shaping up as a record-breaker
Fish on! Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake is on course for a new record of lake trout entries.
PHOTOS: T-ball time in Superior
The Superior Youth Baseball T-Ball teams play every Thursday evening in Superior at 6 p.m.
PHOTOS: Students build shed for Job Site Ready program
St. Regis High School students participated in a job readiness program sponsored by Missoula College.
Loyola Spring Swing tests local golf teams
For local high school golfers, the Loyola Spring Swing, a two-day tournament at two Missoula area golf courses last week was a learning experience and an opportunity.
Native American Culture Day held at Superior Schools
Superior history teachers Chris Clairmont and Vicky Nytes attended the Montana History Conference last September, where they learned about the Traveling Medicine Show, a program from the Glacier Art Museum.
Western Montana’s Mental Health Clinic to provide therapist for Plains Schools
Two teachers submitted their resignations during the April school board meeting: Fourth grade teacher Nichole Cockrell and music teacher Rhiannon Greenwood.
Meetings will focus on comingling of wild and domestic sheep
A series of free, public meetings will be held in Montana communities in April and May to discuss the Wild and Domestic Sheep Comingling Project.
PHOTO: Trail cleanup day
Several members of the Mineral County Rec Club participated with the trail cleanup between Crystal Springs and Tarkio that became part of the Mineral County Rails-to-Trails system last year.
PHOTOS: Meat processors convention visits Superior Meats
Two busloads from the Montana Meat Processors Association state convention in Missoula were treated to a field trip to witness how Jerry Stroot and his team processes approximately 1.3 million pounds of meat every year. Superior Meats signature 20-hour roasted pig served almost 100 attendees’ lunch on Thursday. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
Noxon-Thompson Falls baseball claim wins over county rival
This year’s unofficial and non-existent local high school baseball wars trophy goes to the Noxon-Thompson Falls co-opers who could lay claim to the title following a pair of wins over Sanders County rival Plains-Hot Springs this past week.
Kvelve's Comments: Out of this world
Maybe it’s a case of I’ve maxed out on sports, or maybe it is a simple matter of curiosity, but the other day I was cruising along in Big Red, my legendary Dodge Ram, and I began wondering what outer space aliens may think of some of these events we Earthlings call sports.
Legals for April, 30 2025
Trotters tally wins over Deer Lodge
The split of a four-game week, even with two losses, can be viewed as another step in the right direction for the young Plains-Hot Springs Trotters fastpitch softball team.
Sen. Loge and Block Management
Despite his 1.5 seconds of fame appearing as a lawmaker on the show Yellowstone, there’s nothing Hollywood about Senator Denley Loge.
Lady Hawks stay on winning trajectory
There are teams who peak at the right time, while others fly or flop out of the gate.
Local track teams flex strength at ARM meet
As the 2025 high school track and field season heads toward the inevitable collision with playoffs on the way, the Whitefish ARM Invitational provided an intriguing look at athletic issues to be settled.
Local throwers go long at Top 8 meet
The “Top 10” and “Top 8” high school track competitions for this part of Montana featured athletes from most of the Class AA and A schools in Western Montana, with some solid showings from local (Sanders-Mineral) tracksters sprinkled among the results.
Performing Arts Council Spring Gala features Pollo Loco
It was an experiment when a group in Mineral County sponsored a set of informal concerts in 2007, and the public enthusiasm was what they had hoped would happen.
Doubles duo Jasper and Quick rally for upset win
In a very ambitious schedule, Superior tennis team played against some of the top teams and players in the state, including Simms, Loyola, Valley Christian, and Mission.
Body of missing Missoula woman found in Clark Fork River
Authorities over the weekend recovered the body of a missing Missoula woman from the Clark Fork River.
Superior's Cataldo cards low score at Gary Thompson Invite
On a mostly sunny skies day, albeit a chilly morning start, the Gary Thompson Invitational high school golf event at River’s Bend Golf Course near T Falls crowned a pair of team and individual champions this past Saturday.
William (Bill) Burrell, 72
William (Bill) Burrell, 72
PHOTO: St. Regis holds cleanup day
Friday, April 25, was Community Clean Up Day for the students at St. Regis School.
PHOTOS: Americanism essay winners
This year's Americanism Essay Award winners were all from Vicky Nytes eighth grade U.S. history class in Superior.
Legislature passes law to increase penalties for drunk driving fatalities
A bill strengthening Montanan’s DUI laws had its first hearing before a committee in mid-January, and is now inches away from crossing the legislative finish line.
Former undersheriff pens new novel
What do you get when you cross a drifter, a biker, a college graduate and an undersheriff from Sanders County?
Former Forest Service law enforcement officer pleads guilty to fraud
A Thompson Falls man accused of falsifying time and attendance records admitted to charges last week, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Wednesday, April 23
Legals for April, 23 2025
Construction season begins on I-90 near Exit 5
As a reminder, the bridge construction on I-90 between 9-Mile and Alberton is done, with smooth driving over the two bridges that were rebuilt in the last two summers.
Plains-Hot Springs baseball co-op notch first victory
Not to be outdone by the counterparts on the Trotters, the young Plains-Hot Springs baseball co-op (Savage Horsemen) won their first game of the season last week in a big way.
Savage Horsemen go 0-3
The quest for victory number one goes on for the Thompson Falls-Noxon baseball team after a tough week gone by.
Prep golfers tested on Eureka course
In more ways than one, the Tobacco Valley Invitational golf tournament this past week in Eureka was a sneak peek at post-season play.
Superior tennis off to strong start
A whirlwind schedule this past week for the Superior Lady Bobcats tennis team saw them emerge with a solid trio of unbeaten players, including their top singles and number one doubles team.
Mack Days on track to set new record
Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake is on course for a new record of lake trout entries.
Trotters outlast Lady Lions for first win
Even in the talent-laden ranks of the Western conference fastpitch softball skirmishes, they had to break through.
Savage Hawks softball post mixed results
It was a mixed bag for the Thompson Falls-Noxon varsity fastpitch softball team this past week as the team routed Eureka 14-1 Tuesday on the Lady Lions’ home field, their third straight win.
Hundreds scramble for prized eggs at annual Easter event
Around 250 Easter egg hunters, baskets in hand, turned out for this year’s combined Pancake Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt at the Sanders County Fairgrounds pavilion.
Simulation in motion trains first responders in Mineral County
Simulation in Motion-Montana, based in Bozeman, operates statewide, with employees living in the communities they serve, all dedicated to improving emergency health care.
PHOTOS St. Regis egg hunt
St. Regis hosted its Easter egg hunt last weekend.
Thompson Falls rejects skate park proposal
The Thompson Falls Council chambers were packed for the April city council meeting, with standing room only as around 30 residents showed up to weigh in on the proposed skate park.
Plains sweeps team titles at T-Falls Invitational
Plains continues to roll in track and field as they swept the men’s and women’s team titles at this past week’s Thompson Falls Invitational meet in T Falls.
Local track teams compete at Seeley Swan
The Plains women’s track team placed fifth at the Seeley Swan High School track and field meet this past Friday at Missoula County Public Schools stadium.
Kvelve's Comments: Track dreams
This track and field stuff amazes and befuddles me in a good, envious kind of way.
Superior begins upgrades to sewer system
The town of Superior’s long-awaited sewer system improvement project is officially in motion, with construction that began in March and scheduled for completion by November of this year.
Rails to Trails spring clean up this Saturday
“When we wrote the Trail Stewardship Grant, we committed to holding an annual cleanup day and this is the first one!” beamed Diane Magone, chairperson of the Mineral County Rails to Trails chapter.
Linda Paske, 75
Linda Mae Paske
Lori Dove Memorial Easter Egg Hunt
The Lori Dove Memorial Easter Egg Hunt at Eva Horning Park in Superior was held last weekend. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
Wednesday, April 16
Rachel Jean Booth, 44
Rachel Jean Booth
Student work on display at Zootown Arts
Five students at Superior High School applied for a show in the youth gallery at the Zootown Arts Community Center in Missoula.
Trotters win Libby Invite
Track fans could quite possibly have seen this coming.
Superior girls, Hot Springs boys win Dave Tripp
This is shaping up to be a pretty good year for Sanders and Mineral counties' high school track and field teams, as indicated by Superior’s girls and Hot Springs’ boys following the Dave Tripp Track meet this past weekend in Polson.
United Methodist Church plans another 'fixer upper'
The story of the United Methodist Church in Superior began in the fall of 1913.
Legals for April, 16 2025
Devil-Hawks score win in Bonners Ferry
In what has been a learning curve of a start to the spring high school softball and baseball season, with youth and inexperience being the key factor, one local team has stepped forward to “rep” Sanders and Mineral counties.
MAC takes out Plains softball
Even a quick glance at the Plains-Hot Springs softball roster reveals the youth on the squad, which has just one senior and two juniors.
St. Regis to host farmers market this summer
Farmers markets have sprung up in almost every town in Mineral County from Alberton to Haugan, now, this summer, St. Regis will join in the fun.
Plains-Hot Springs hang with Ronan in 15-8 loss
It has been said, possibly ad nauseum, that even a long journey begins with a single step.
Whitefish tops Noxon-Thompson Falls baseball
It was another hard week for the Noxon-Thompson Falls baseball team as they continued to battle for their first win of the year.
Kalispell man found guilty on seven counts related to poaching
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks game wardens report that Cody H. Carr, 30, of Kalispell, was found guilty at trial in Flathead County Justice Court for seven criminal counts related to poaching crimes committed in November 2023.
Senior project looks to improve local park
Each spring, the upcoming graduates of St. Regis High School must accomplish a senior project to receive their diplomas in May.
St. Regis' Thomas wins Plains Invite in chip-off
This year’s Plains Invitational Golf meet featured a “chip off” to settle the individual boys team title, and a surprise winner in the girls team chase.
Lions Club makes final preparations for Easter egg hunt
Final preparations for this year’s community Easter egg hunt and pancake breakfast were made during the Plains chapter of the Montana Lions Club's April meeting.
Orville Eaton
Orville Eaton
Hot Springs FFA find success at state convention
The Hot Springs FFA returned from the state convention with a number to top performances.
Hawks take first game over Plains
For two innings on a blustery Monday afternoon, the Plains-Hot Springs Trotters and the Thompson Falls-Noxon Blue Hawks were locked in a classic pitcher’s duel during their high school fastpitch softball showdown.
Sanders County Shockwaves take first
The Sanders County Shockwaves U12 volleyball team placed first at a recent tournament in Butte. (Photo provided)
Mineral County Crime Report April 6-12
Mineral County Crime Report April 6-12
Kvelve's Comments: Crack of the bat
I was once accused of not being very good with change.
Blood pressure kits available for check out
The State Library has distributed blood pressure kits to libraries across Montana, and the Mineral County Public Library is now offering these kits for checkout.
Wednesday, April 9
Assistance available for energy bills
March 31 marked the end of the winter moratorium in Montana, which is that period of time when regulated utility companies need to first obtain approval from the Public Service Commission before disconnecting a customer’s natural gas or electricity account for non-pay.
Plains golf team optimistic despite low turnout
Good things can come in small packages. In the case of the 2025 Plains High golf team, that could be a motto this year as just four players turned out for the combined boys’ and girls’ teams.
Kvelve's Comments: Real sports at home
The names are familiar for sure. I know I’ve seen these teams on TV for years.
Savage Horsemen shut out at Eureka
In what is their first year of Montana varsity high school baseball, the Plains-Hot Springs Savage Horsemen team is getting a rude introduction to Western B-C conference play.
Lady Hawks softball goes 0-3 on road trip
Going through the Western B-C fastpitch softball 2025 gauntlet is a daunting task at best.
Plains track teams soar at Bigfork Invite
Something is brewing among the mountains and valleys that make up Sanders and Mineral counties.
Fundraising for Tarkio fire station starts anew
Josh Pecora, captain of the Tarkio Volunteer Fire Station, spoke to a group of local residents on DNRC land where a new fire station was initially planned to be built three years ago.
Merle Joseph Farrier, 78
Merle Joseph Farrier
Superior students stand out in Missoula writing contest
The Missoula Writes Contest, established in 2008 by the Missoula Public Library, was designed to inspire writers of all ages across Montana.
Local teams tee off at season's first golf tourney
In what was the first area golf tournament of the 2025 season, golfers from 11 different western Montana schools hit the links in Hamilton for the Florence-Darby Invitational at the Hamilton Golf Club.
Spotlight on the Arts: Zach Storaasli
“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.
Trotters looking for first softball win
Navigating the early season waters of the Western B-C Montana high school fastpitch softball conference can be a treacherous endeavor, especially for young teams.
Back Country Horsemen hold pack training class
On a chilly Saturday morning, members of the Wild Horse Plains Back Country Horsemen gathered at Kristy Sheehan’s indoor arena in Plains for a comprehensive Horse and Mule Packing Clinic.
Back Country Horsemen hold pack training class
On a chilly Saturday morning, members of the Wild Horse Plains Back Country Horsemen gathered at Kristy Sheehan’s indoor arena in Plains for a comprehensive Horse and Mule Packing Clinic.
Blue Hawks return top golfers
A mixture of youth and experience are being counted on to make a competitive blend for this year’s Thompson Falls boys’ and girls’ golf teams.
The Paradise Players return with the comedy 'Deer Camp'
The Paradise Players are back with their upcoming production of the hilarious comedy 'Deer Camp.' Written by Michigan native Lisa MacDonald, the play is set in the remote white pine forests of northern Michigan.
Red Devils face defending baseball champs
The defending high school state champs showed why they are among the top favorites again this year when they took on the still-new-kids-on-the-block from Noxon-Thompson Falls this past Saturday in Polson.
Panthers make debut on Montana tennis courts
Alberton’s emergence as a Montana high school varsity sports player is taking another step forward this year with the inaugural Panthers tennis team.
Superior boys golf team up to the challenge
The 2025 Superior High golf team will be known this year as the Bobcats.
Superior Meats owner honored by Small Business Association
Jerry Stroot, the owner of Superior Meats, has been named Montana’s Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Rediscovering home: Food bank adjusts to challenges
The Community Food Bank of Mineral County stands between 85 Mineral County families and homelessness.
Legals for April, 9 2025
Mineral County Crime Report March 23-29
Mineral County Crime Report March 23-29
Wednesday, April 2
Tigers golf squad returns strong core
They had a good run in the post-season last year, led by one of the best golfers in school history.
Working for my constituents
Leading up to the first day of the Senate this year, a committee on committees was established to come up with committee assignments.
Track teams off and running at Frenchtown meet
In the early hours of the Frenchtown Invitational track and field meet this past Saturday, clouds and temperatures in the low to mid 30s kept non-competitors in layers of clothing and blankets.
New game warden excited to explore Mineral County's outdoors
Growing up in Helena, Cody Stipcich thoroughly enjoyed hunting and fishing with his dad, but becoming a game warden was not a childhood dream.
Trotters fastpitch suffers four losses to open season
Sometimes in competitive sports, the road to a win can be long and winding.
Legals for April, 2 2025
Wildcats blank Plains in baseball season opener
This was not the way the Plains Horsemen wanted their 2025 varsity baseball season to begin.
Lady Hawks notch wins at Three Forks
It was cloudy and cold for the Thompson Falls-Noxon fastpitch softball team’s games against Ennis this past Friday at Pirk’s Place stadium in T Falls.
Kvelve's Comments: Back to the ballpark
It was one small step for Chuck, one giant leap for Chuck’s heart.
Noxon's Ricky Williams has a day at Fan-Tastic meet
With the challenge of a “light” turnout for this year’s track and field teams (boys and girls) already a reality, Noxon track coach Matt Havens could hope for quality over quantity.
PHOTO Frugal Boxes Coop delivery
Because of the snow Saturday morning, the truck that delivers fruits and vegetables to Frugal Boxes Coop every other Saturday had to reschedule the delivery for Sunday.
Local legislators ride on BNSF's Blue Jean Special
St. Regis resident Curtis Cochran may be a freshman with the Montana House of Representatives, but he hit the ground running, long before January when the session began.
Plains School Board renews superintendent contract
The Plains School Board met on March 24 to address a single agenda item — one that had been quickly tabled from an earlier meeting.
Plains second graders go butterfly hunting
How could a second grader from Plains skip class, get up close and personal with a 6-inch Brazilian Salmon Pink Bird-eating Tarantula, and hold a 3-inch-long millipede? Well, skipping school meant a long bus ride to an exciting, one-of-a-kind destination.
Rosemary Katherine Semanko, 89
Rosemary Katherine Semanko
