Softball tournament organizer Heimbigner steps down after 25 years

After 25 year, Steve Heimbigner, is hanging up his cleats and stepping down as the organizer for the annual S&S Foods and Nugget Lounge Softball Tournament held on July 20-22.

Murdoch 'Murdy' Crust

Murdoch Edward “Murdy” Crust of Minneapolis, Minn., formerly of Faribault, Minn., escaped this mortal realm Friday, July 20, 2018.

Snell takes 4-H Congress 'one stitch at a time'

Madeline Snell, a 4-H member from Thompson Falls, recently took her skills to the Montana State Congress and came back a winner.

Ninemile District Ranger Phelps steps down

U.S. Forest Service Ranger for the Ninemile District, Erin Phelps, stepped down from her position in July. She moved back to Idaho to be closer to family. Ann Hadlow has been temporarily promoted to District Ranger until the position can be permanently filled, said Sara Mayben, Acting Forest Supervisor for the Lolo National Forest.

President's words at European Summit 'horrifying'

[Editor’s note: This letter was edited for content.]

Hurry to get your huckleberries

Huckleberry season is once again upon us, and with the weather coming just right they are ready to pick, if you can find them.

Sanders County runners take on Missoula Marathon

Numerous current and former residents of Sanders County converged on to the Missoula Marathon recently, and a few runners took some top placings.

Fair Board prepares for Aug. 30-Sept. 2 event

The Sanders County Fair Board recently met for its monthly meeting ahead of the 2018 Sanders County Fair, and they are well on their way to make this year’s event bigger and better.

Community Notes

An intimate evening with country music star John King will be held on Aug. 15 from 6 to 10:30 pm at the Alberton Gorge Ranch. Tickets are available at albertonrailroadday.com and proceeds benefit the Alberton Farm to School Program.

St. Regis long-arm quilter featured at Cabin Fever Show

Every year, the Cabin Fever Quilt Guild holds their show in Superior during the Mineral County Fair. The show is right next to the county fairgrounds in Superior High School, where the halls and multipurpose room are lined with hundreds of colorful and beautifully made quilts.

This date in Mineral County history

Emergency Planning Committee meets, adds several new members

Familiar faces with new titles were seen at the monthly Local Emergency Planning Committee meeting on July 12. Donna Richter has been named the new assistant fire chief. She is joining current Superior Fire Department Chief Steve Temple. Temple took over as fire chief from Rob Torrey earlier this year after Torrey stepped down from the position.

Community Notes

With temps in the 90s forest service officials have raised the Fire Danger Rating to high, meaning any fire start has a high chance of quickly becoming widespread. They have closed Outdoor Burning by Permit. All burn permits for yard debris, agriculture and wildland burning are now invalid. Campfires are still allowed in proper fire rings.

Daines says Senate Farm Bill helps timber industry

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines is looking to help stimulate Montana’s timber industry with several proposed amendments to the Senate Farm Bill. The bill, which passed out of the Senate Agriculture Committee (on which Daines sits) on a 20 to 1 vote, passed the Senate.

Did you know . . .

Did you know in the paper for July 20, 1933, there was lots of local news, including a proposed hospital for Hot Springs?

Montana Aussie Adventures with Erin-Jay

It’s beginning to heat up in Sanders County, and I am starting to notice not only more people down the banks of the Clark Fork River but also a few people taking advantage of beginning to float the river.

Pool prices, budget topics during Plains Town Meeting

There were plenty of agenda items at last week’s Plains Town Meeting, with some updates, including the water leaks that appear to be getting better.

Slip, Slop, Slap keys for safe summer

It may have taken a little longer this year, but it seems as though summer has finally arrived — with warmer temperatures taking hold of Sanders County last week.

Firework burns embankment near Superior's Memorial Bridge

Fireworks continued to shoot into the air as approximately a dozen members from the Superior Volunteer Fire Department fought to put out a July 4 grass fire in Superior. The call came into Mineral County dispatch around 11 p.m., where Superior Fire Chief Steve Temple and volunteer Calvin Berry arrived at the scene.

Fourth of July 'is a blast'

July 4 is an American favorite holiday, full of family gatherings, barbecue dinners, apple pie and fireworks, lots and lots of fireworks.