Community Notes

The annual Mineral Community Hospital Health Fair is Saturday, May 12, with vendors who are excited to share their services to Mineral County. There will be live demonstration of telemedicine between Providence St. Patrick Hospital and Mineral Community Hospital. This has become, literally, a life saver for patients in rural settings. The tele stroke equipment at Mineral Community Hospital has made a significant difference for several patients this year alone. Partnership Health Center-Mineral County will have their dentist on hand because many residents aren’t even aware that dentistry exists here anymore.

Fire claims home in Petty Creek area

An Alberton family lost their home on Saturday, April 28, when a fire broke out that quickly devoured everything.

Current Medicaid cuts not major impact on Mineral Community Hospital

On April 20, the Community Medical Center in Missoula announced the elimination of 16 employees due to state budget cuts at the rate of more than $6 million. The majority of those cuts were to the Medicaid reimbursement rate, which directly impacts hospitals across Montana. Kalispell Regional Healthcare is expected to lose $6.6 million in Medicaid funding this year and Bozeman Health is reporting a $2.6 million cut in reimbursements.

Four candidates up for two open St. Regis School Board seats

Four candidates are running for two open seats on the St. Regis School Board. Ken Jasper currently sits on the board and his term is up along with Brant Moeller who is not re-running for his seat. Jasper is re-running for his seat along with three other candidates: Christine West; Mark Farris; and Jessica Connolly.

Ferris wins 100m dash at Seeley Invitational

Red Devils have strong turnout at T-Falls Invite

The Noxon Red Devils’ boy’s track team had a total of 15 top-five finishes at the Thompson Falls Invitational Thursday afternoon at Thompson Falls High School.

Trotters, Horsemen excel at T-Falls, Big Sky track meets

The Plains High School girls have some of the best throwers in the state and they were able to showcase their abilities at the Big Sky Invitational Saturday afternoon at Missoula.

Plains-Hot Springs wins seven straight

When Plains Hot-Springs coach Michelle Bangen was asked how her team’s 8-1 record sounded to her, she didn’t have too much to say.

Plains plays host to soccer tournament

The Amundson Sporting Complex came alive in Plains recently with soccer enthusiast all over converging at the fields for the annual tournament hosted by Wildhorse Youth Soccer.

Legals April 25, 2018

NOTICE OF SALE Department of Natural Resources & Conservation Timber Sale The 28 Mile Timber Sale is located within Section 36, T25N-R27W, on the State's Plains Unit. Approximately 20,795 tons, consisting of Douglas-fir sawlogs, are offered for sale. Sealed bids will be opened at the Department of Natural Resources & Conservation, 2705 Spurgin Road, Missoula, Montana on May 2, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. Bids may be hand delivered or mailed and will be accepted any time prior to the bid opening. DNRC recommends that bidders contact the Trust Land Management Division (406-542-4300) prior to the bid opening to ensure that your bid has been received. Bids must be accompanied by a deposit of $30,766.00, representing 5% of the minimum bid value of the sale in cashier's check, certified check, bank money order or bank draft to be applied to the first sale invoice for the successful bidder. Bid bonds will be accepted and, for the successful bidder, will be closed upon execution of the Timber Sale Contract and Timber Sale Bond. The sale will be awarded to the highest responsible bidder. Award of the timber sale is conditional upon approval of the timber sale by the State Board of Land Commissioners at their April 16, 2018 meeting. If the successful bidder is unable to execute the contract within 30 calendar days from the date the sale is awarded, the bid deposit will be retained by the Department as liquidated damages. The right is reserved to reject any or all bids. Prospective bidders can obtain the sale prospectus, sale contract and bid forms from the Department of Natural Resources & Conservation, Trust Land Management Division, in Missoula (406-542-4300), the Northwestern Land Office in Kalispell (406-751-2257), or the Plains Unit Office in Plains, MT (406-826-4723). Visit our website at http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/trust/forest-management/timber-sale-information for upcoming sales and bid results. Published in the Valley Press on April 4, April 11, April 18, and April 25, 2018. MNAXLP

Recycling bin and Cleanup Days offered in St. Regis

St. Regis Resort District is making the town a little greener this year by bringing a recycling bin for residents to use, free of charge. With funds provided by the 3 percent luxury tax, the group will pay the $500 per “pull” of the bin which is usually about once per month.

It's always 'Sunny' at Alberton school, thanks to therapy dog

Meet Sunny, a 5-year-old golden Labrador retriever who, like her namesake, brings warmth and happiness to students and staff at Alberton School. Her owner is Alberton music teacher Mike Wolfe, who started bringing her to school earlier this year, and it’s been a love affair with the students ever since.

Community Notes

The Mineral County Medical Foundation will be holding their annual spring fundraising event on May 12 and will feature local historian, Hal Stearns giving his talk entitled, “Montana Towns: Then, Now, Tomorrow.”

Legals April 18, 2018

NOTICE OF SALE Department of Natural Resources & Conservation Timber Sale The 28 Mile Timber Sale is located within Section 36, T25N-R27W, on the State's Plains Unit. Approximately 20,795 tons, consisting of Douglas-fir sawlogs, are offered for sale. Sealed bids will be opened at the Department of Natural Resources & Conservation, 2705 Spurgin Road, Missoula, Montana on May 2, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. Bids may be hand delivered or mailed and will be accepted any time prior to the bid opening. DNRC recommends that bidders contact the Trust Land Management Division (406-542-4300) prior to the bid opening to ensure that your bid has been received. Bids must be accompanied by a deposit of $30,766.00, representing 5% of the minimum bid value of the sale in cashier's check, certified check, bank money order or bank draft to be applied to the first sale invoice for the successful bidder. Bid bonds will be accepted and, for the successful bidder, will be closed upon execution of the Timber Sale Contract and Timber Sale Bond. The sale will be awarded to the highest responsible bidder. Award of the timber sale is conditional upon approval of the timber sale by the State Board of Land Commissioners at their April 16, 2018 meeting. If the successful bidder is unable to execute the contract within 30 calendar days from the date the sale is awarded, the bid deposit will be retained by the Department as liquidated damages. The right is reserved to reject any or all bids. Prospective bidders can obtain the sale prospectus, sale contract and bid forms from the Department of Natural Resources & Conservation, Trust Land Management Division, in Missoula (406-542-4300), the Northwestern Land Office in Kalispell (406-751-2257), or the Plains Unit Office in Plains, MT (406-826-4723). Visit our website at http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/trust/forest-management/timber-sale-information for upcoming sales and bid results. Published in the Valley Press on April 4, April 11, April 18, and April 25, 2018. MNAXLP

Trotters softball on a roll in early portion of the season

The Plains-Hot Springs softball team is a much-improved team from the team that came up two runs shy of qualifying for the MHSA Class B-C state softball tournament last season and thus far, their record is indicative of their improvement.

Bluehawk runners shine

Thompson Fall’s runner Danny Hoisington once again excelled in the Florence-Darby Invite Tuesday afternoon.

Trotters, Horsemen shine at Tripp Memorial

The Plains Trotters have developed a reputation for throwers and the Horsemen, who now have additional players from the football team, are carving a niche of their own in the jumping events.

Local athletes shine at Dave Trip Invitational

The Dave Trip Invitational hosted by Hot Springs was held in Polson on Friday, April 13.

Local engineer receives prestigious national award

Nate Kegel, a Forest Service engineer with the Superior Ranger District on the Lolo National Forest, was recently selected for one of the agency’s national Engineer of the Year awards.

Communications trailer is now available when disaster strikes

Mineral County emergency preparedness personnel were able to tour the Department of Public Health and Human Services communications trailer last Monday when it was parked at the Mineral Community Hospital.