Trotters take third at districts

A new coach, new team and a new attitude made all the difference last weekend as the Trotters finished third in the District 7-B Tournament last weekend.

Status quo in Flathead Lake

Deep-water divers, genetic scrutiny, and rigorous examinations with high powered microscopes have failed to turn up any evidence of exotic mussels in Flathead Lake near Woods Bay, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials announce.

Artist raises awareness of domestic violence

Painting, poetry and pain took on new meaning for Jane Lattus Emmert after her sister, Amy, was murdered eight years ago by an abusive boyfriend.

TRACS gives old building new life

Thanks to the generosity of a local business, Thompson River Animal Shelter (TRACS) now has a new healthy cat adoption center.

New twist for fair favorite

The Lions Club has announced a new set of rules for their 2011 demolition derby to be held during the Sanders County Fair next fall. The rules were approved to improve driver safety, increase parody between competing cars, and improve viewer satisfaction during the event.

Study to examine elk calves in bitterroot valley

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) will begin a study this week that will evaluate factors affecting elk calf survival in the East and West Forks of the Bitterroot Valley. 

Local students testify for bill

Three students from Superior testified before legislators on behalf of House Bill 20 back in January. Kalyn Plouffe, Savannah Moore and Sarah Wuebkes, along with other high schoolers from Montana, testified for the bill, currently in the senate, which would authorize county social host liability ordinances.

Letters to the editor

What’s in a year?

Soles for Souls shoe drive a success

Last week, Sanders county residents compiled 55 pairs of gently used shoes culminating a four-month long shoe drive to raise awareness of the dangers of using tobacco products and to stress the need for continuing education.

Savage Heat handle Tigers again

History repeated itself as the Savage Heat lost to Charlo, and bested St. Regis for the second time this season. Hot Springs (2-5, conf., 6-8 ovr.)  has now won three of their last four games heading into the heart of their conference schedule with only two weeks remaining until districts.

Stay involved in politics

One could ask that as the elections of 2010 are behind us, are we done with politics?  The answer would be a resounding no.

End of an ordeal

Volunteers move last animals off of defunct sanctuary

Volunteers brought a 42-day ordeal to a close last Monday at the now-defunct Montana Large Animal Sanctuary and Rescue in Niarada after moving the last 150 animals from the property. The effort, lead by AniMeals of Missoula, has been called one of the largest animal rescue operations ever carried out after what has come to be known as one of the largest cases of animal neglect in history.

Broncos wrestle in Dillon

The Broncs headed up to Dillon last week on Thursday and did very well. Coach Bob Henderson said that there’s a lot of energy within the team.

Red Devils excel in double OT

The Red Devils continued their up and down season with a thrilling, 82-77 double overtime win over Two Eagle River on Friday, before falling, 42-55, against second ranked Charlo on Saturday. The 3-4, 4-8 Red Devils have yet to post consecutive wins this season.

Keeping in touch: News from committees

On Friday, January 21st, the Health and Human Services Committee which I serve on held a hearing on House Bill 68.  HB 68 is “an Act Revising the Medical Marijuana Act to Create a Licensing and Regulatory System for People Who Grow, Manufacture, Distribute or Sell Medical Marijuana; Requiring Montana Residency to Obtain a Registry Identification Card or a License; Clarifying Requirements for Physicians Who Provide Written Certification; Providing Local Government Authority to Regulate Medical Marijuana Licensees; Establishing Prohibitions on the Medical Use of Marijuana by People; Expanding the Limitations on the Medical Use of Marijuana; Providing Definitions; Providing Rulemaking Authority; Creating a Special Revenue Account; and, Appropriating Funds.”

Hello from the Capitol

Hello from the capitol. This marks the end of week three which was a very busy one for all of us. I introduced three bills so far:  HB119, a bill to revise laws related to volunteer firefighter compensation; HB20, a bill to authorize a county social host liability ordinance and HB253, a bill to provide for recovery of costs for DUI conviction.  There are at least seven more in the hopper. All bills have to be introduced and heard in committee before Feb. 21st and heard on the floor before Feb. 24 or they will die, so as you can see I have my work cut out for me. Last week the hearing of HB20 was one of the highlights of my career; to watch all those kids testify on this bill was a sight to behold. I would like to thank Denyse Traeder of Superior and all the other people for all the hard work they did to put this bill together.   Committee member Liz made a special comment on the integrity and character of all the students who testified.

Residents protest on Roe anniversary

Dozens of protestors gathered in front of the Sanders County Courthouse on Saturday, commemorating the 38th anniversary of the controversial 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which effectively legalized abortion nationwide.

Red Devils best Heat

In their first matchup this season, the Red Devils left Hot Springs smoldering as they ran away with a 53-30 win over the hometown Savage Heat on Friday night.

Ornelas taking care of business

For eight weeks, Sheriff Ernie Ornelas has been heading up the Mineral County Sheriff’s Department. Of those eight weeks, he was gone for two weeks for trainings up in Helena.

Keeping in touch

One of the bills you’ve seen discussed on television news lately is a bill I am carrying on behalf of the Secretary of State’s office, a bill which has long been an important bill to the Election Administrators of Montana, House Bill 130.  HB 130 is an “Act revising procedures for conducting mail ballot elections; requiring elections other than school elections to be held by mail; provides for training of Election Administrators and Election Judges; revises procedures by which Election Administrators confirm Electors residence and mailing addresses; revises procedures for reactivating an Electors registration; revises certain absentee ballot provisions; requires counties to pay for ballots returned with insufficient postage; revises procedures for creating and approving a written election plan; provides for notice to inactive electors; provides  requirements for voting booths; provides requirements for places of deposit and official drop boxes for ballot returns: revises procedures for handling and counting returned ballots; and, repeals the requirement that Election Administrators provide for proportional voting in certain elections (13-19-302 MCA regarding votes to be cast in proportion to ownership or other factor other than one vote per person).