Wildhorse Sports Association receives grant

PLAINS – Wildhorse Sports Association received a $5,000 grant from Blackfoot telecommunications last Tuesday, putting the organization closer to their goal of constructing a very ornate and much-needed sports complex at the old Plains airport.

Alberton/Superior tennis team prepares for season

Spring sports are in full swing and although several of the Superior/Alberton High School Tennis team were away competing in the state BPA competition, Head Coach Rick Berreth began preparing his team for the upcoming season.

Mineral County Court Report

Mineral County Court Records from February 28 to March 8

Bridge on Little Bitterroot Road to close for repairs

HOT SPRINGS - Christensen Bridge on Little Bitterroot Rd. about 3.5 miles from Hot Springs off of highway 28 will be closed for repairs from Mar. 18 to Apr. 8. The closure will affect school bus routes, the Christensen family who own a ranch that spans the bridge and the community of Hot Springs who will experience a short period of internet and phone service disruption.

Thompson Falls school board talks elections

CORRECTION - It was incorrectly stated that two board members were vacating their positions. According to Thompson Falls District Superintendent, Jerry Pauli, Elementary School Principal Maureen Simonson and Special Education Director Jennifer Cline are currently interviewing for other positions, however, the district is offering them a new contract for next year. Valley Press apologizes for the mistake or any confusion caused by the error. 

Northwest Montana hunter, bowhunter, instructors honored

Multiple Hunter and Bowhunter Education Instructors from Sanders County received service awards from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks during the annual Region 1 Instructor Workshop, which was held on March 2 at Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell. A total of 34 instructors received service awards ranging from 5 to 35 years of service. All service award recipients received a plaque and additional awards included an engraved knife for 10 years of service and a FWP belt buckle for 20 years of service. A number of other awards were also presented.

Melanie's farewell column: Relations matter most

Ninety-seven issues. That’s my number here at Valley Press – Mineral Independent. It may even be 98, but that very first issue in April of 2011 when I started here was just a few photos of an Easter egg hunt in Superior. Little did I know what lay ahead of me; little did I know how much things would change, and how the slightest, tiniest decisions can create ripple effects that touch so many others.

Keeping in touch with Rep. Pat Ingraham

While the Legislature has been in full swing and is headed to complete its transmittal date this Thursday, February 28th, there is another rather important, though less exciting event going on as well, that of filing income taxes, less of a political event than the Legislature, however just as important. So I thought now would be a good time to share some information that might help you as you begin to file your income taxes.

Mineral County Court Report

Mineral County Court Records from February 22 to March 1

Fair commission follow-up: Moneyless tabled for 1 year.

Update from the state capitol

Legislative Update from the Capitol:

From your State Senate: with Sen. Jennifer Fielder

With so much discussion about the Constitution lately I thought it timely to mention a few related topics being debated in our Montana legislature.

Whitefish Credit Union pledges donation funds to food banks

For the third year running, Whitefish Credit Union, Montana’s largest credit union, has pledged to donate one dollar to local food banks in need for every pound of food collected by their branches during their annual “Cash and Cans Food Drive.” The food drive begins Jan. 7 and continues until Feb. 4 at all six Credit Union branches.

Hot Springs play 4

Mammal characters sing and dance in the play opening number on Thursday in Hot Springs School.

Fair commission decides theme, moneyless

PLAINS - The February meeting for the Sanders County Fair Commission was conducted Monday night at the fairgrounds and issues such as the “moneyless” decision, the 2013 Fair theme, and a chnage in the by-laws.

Keeping in touch with Rep. Pat Ingraham

As legislators, we have had some long days and short nights as we head to the midway point of the session, the transmittal deadline for all non-revenue bills. With transmittal ending on February 27th, we have been hearing an increased number of general bills both in committee and on the floor.

Alberton Lady Panthers finish season fighting hard

The Alberton Lady Panthers entered the District 13-C Tournament in Frenchtown this weekend with what Head Coach Jim Baldwin called “hopes high and a great attitude.”

Bluehawks looking strong for semi-finals

THOMPSON FALLS – The Bluehawks played against Noxon on Tuesday in a game that got away from them.

Mineral County Health Department's Buckle Up Coalition

Mineral County has been awarded a $23,000 grant from the Montana Department of Transportation for implementation of a Buckle Up Montana Coalition.

Keeping in touch with Rep. Pat Ingraham

This past week, House Resolution 2 (HR 2) on Redistricting passed the House and was forwarded on to the Redistricting and Reapportionment Commission for their consideration. The Commission will deliberate on February 12, 2013 to determine if any changes will be made to their proposed plan. However, House District (HD) 13 will remain as originally planned and will be comprised of Heron, Noxon, Whitepine, Trout Creek, Thompson Falls, Marion and Kila. My amendment to request a change to HD 13 was amended out of HR 2.