Basketball, wrestling teams gear up for successful seasons

As soon as high school students hung up their cleats and volleyball pads, basketball practice started with tournaments this weekend. Basketball players will be at the Western C Tip Off Tournament in Frenchtown on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. Meanwhile, wrestlers will be at the Owen Invite, hosted by Polson.

Forest Service streamlines projects as budget cuts deepen

Forest Service projects with the Superior and Ninemile districts are slowing down as winter sets in and fire crews are leaving the area District Rangers, Carole Johnson from Superior and Ann Hadlow from Ninemile reported at a recent Mineral County Commissioners’ meeting held on Nov. 16.

Community Notes

A Holiday Fair will be held in the Old School House Gym in Superior at 100 River St. on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Shop local small businesses and learn about Mineral County non-profit organizations. Contact Whipped Up at 406-272-5874 for details.

Hot Springs Lions Club hosts fundraiser

Lions Club International chapters around the world have a great reputation for serving communities in need, and the Hot Springs Lions Club got excellent support during their OGNIB fundraiser Sunday afternoon and evening at Hot Springs School. The multi-purpose room was filled to capacity as game players vied to take home items that filled the stage.

Community Notes

Join DBSA Superior and Mineral County LAC for a free lunch and learn to use some tools for making this holiday season one of peace and joy. Share ideas how to avoid chaos, stress management and slowing down to make this year one of the best seasons you’ve ever had. Friday, Nov. 30, noon to 1 p.m. at Choices Conference Center at 310 Spruce in Superior.

No headline

Montana appears well down the road to becoming a one party Republican, deeply conservative state, like the states that surround us. Jon Tester’s survival was an anomaly best explained by his personal popularity and his opponent’s weakness.

Local schools' band members join Band Festival in Ronan

Mineral County students had the opportunity to play in a special performance last week as part of the Mission Valley Band Festival. On Tuesday, Nov. 13, St. Regis and Superior band members traveled to Ronan to play at the Performing Arts Center.

Food pantries vital in Montana

About half a dozen volunteers stood in an assembly line putting cans, boxes and bags of food into paper grocery sacks last weekend: 132 bags to be exact. These were bags of food to be distributed to local families in need so they can enjoy a nice Thanksgiving dinner.

St. Regis/Mullan team enjoys success

The St. Regis/Mullan co-op football regular season ended in second place in the White Pine League and fourth overall in their eight-team division. Both junior Ian Farris and freshman Adam Ball were All-League selections, and Farris may possibly receive All-State, said head football coach Jesse Allan. All-State award winners will be announced on Dec. 3. Farris was also in line for Most Valuable Player, and came in second to the team’s quarterback.

Loge optimistic for upcoming session

Denley Loge has worn many hats throughout his career, including 45 years working for the Montana Department of Transportation; he raises cattle; is the co-founder of the famed Missoula Maggots rugby club; plays trombone for the University of Montana Alumni Band; and served on several committees, including the Mineral County Conservation Board and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 2 Citizens Advisory Committee.

Community Notes

The 43rd Annual Great American Smokeout! will be Thursday, Nov. 15. The Mineral County Health Department encourages everyone to commit or recommit to healthy, smoke-free lives. Information is available at cancer.org/smokeout or call 800-227-2345, or call Barb Jasper, RN, at MCHD at 406-822-3564.

A day at The Paw Spa

Let’s face it, dogs stink. They roll in foul smelling things they find in pastures, mountain trails, and even their own back yard. The smellier, the more they seem to enjoy it. They also enjoy romping through the mud and thistles and can end up pretty messy by the end of the day. Despite these habits, people love their dogs. As of 2017 over 60 million U.S. households owned a dog and $69.5 billion was spent on these furry family members, according to an American Pet Products Association survey.

Election lost, but Magone's fight continues

With elections over it leaves the candidates who ran for office and lost contemplating, “What’s next”? Diane Magone ran for House District 14 as a Democrat against incumbent Rep. Denley Loge and wasn’t surprised when she didn’t win.

Lacy assumes role as Thompson Falls mayor

It’s a very familiar face in the position as new mayor of Thompson Falls.

Pumpkin Auction raises $7,500

What started out as a way for fellow employees to help each other has now turned into a several thousand dollar annual event.

Lady Hawks just short of state B qualification

All a high school volleyball coach can realistically ask from his or her players is to be playing your best when tournament time rolls around, and to “leave it on the floor” each time you go out to compete.

Mustangs stampede to 74-57 victory over Hot Springs

Murnion quintet leads Jordan to semifinals against Richie-Lambert

Mustangs are known for their wild and sometimes unruly behavior. And the Mustangs of Jordan were too tough to tame for the Hot Springs Savage Heat in the second round of the Class C 6-man football state playoffs on a cool and sometimes windy afternoon in Sanders County.

Red Ribbon Week focuses on preventing substance abuse

The battle against drugs and alcohol use among teenagers seems to finally be on a winning streak — with use holding steady at their lowest level in over two decades, according to a 2017 survey by the National Institute of Drug Abuse. The survey includes the attitudes among eighth-, 10th- and 12th-grade students across the nation and found, “a general decline in perceived risk of harm from using a number of substances and declining disapproval of people who use them.”

Community Notes

The MineralIndependent goes to press on Monday and will not have full election coverage until the Nov. 14 issue. However, election results will be posted on the Mineral Independent/Valley Press Facebook page and online at vp-mi.com.

Noxon eliminated from C playoffs with loss to Geraldine-Highwood

The Red Devils of Noxon High School knew they had their collective hands full when they traveled to Highwood to challenge Geraldine-Highwood in the first round of the Class C 6-man football state playoffs last Saturday.