The price of power

Montana and the nation are at the crux of a changing energy future. What that future will look like depends on the choices we make now. These choices will require some tough decisions by both electricity consumers and the regulators of our utilities at the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC).  Regulated electric and gas utilities in Montana include Northwestern Energy (NWE) and Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU) in the eastern part of our state. Electric co-ops are not regulated by the PSC. The challenge for electricity providers and regulators is how to incorporate alternative forms of energy such as wind, biomass, solar and geothermal into our system as a long term investment towards clean energy and energy independence. As with most investments, the payoff comes over time, perhaps even over a lifetime. Judith Gap, Montana’s first wind farm, came on line in 2006, and customers are already seeing the benefits. The 135MW facility supplies 8% of NWE’s energy needs at a cost of about $40/MWH, considerably less than the cost of electricity produced at the coal fired power plant in Coalstrip ($54/MWH).

New Year's celebration lights up Quinn's

The year 2024 came to a spectacular close, marked by a vibrant display of fireworks and a jubilant crowd at Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort near Paradise.

Legals for February, 19 2025

Alberton School wins Samsung Solve for Tomorrow statewide competition

Alberton School is among 50 public middle and high schools nationwide that are moving forward as state winners in the 15th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow national STEM competition.

Mineral County law roundup

Body Found, Dena Mora Rest Area, Deputy Coroner responded, on-going investigation at this time.

Groups target cleanup of Frenchtown mill site

The national conservation nonprofit American Rivers has named the Clark Fork River among the nation’s most endangered rivers, citing industrial pollution and flooding risks from the shuttered Smurfit-Stone pulp mill in Frenchtown.

Montana Viewpoint: Respect

I asked a friend of mine if he had ever known a man named Bat O’Callahan who lived in Trout Creek years ago and was married to my good friend Jessie O’Callahan. Whether that marriage ended because Bat left town or died, I never did know, but since Jessie had remembered him so fondly, I thought he must have been a good man.

Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls

Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls

Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls

Mineral County Sheriff's Office calls

Area residents named to state boards

Several of the appointees are from Northwest Montana.

Mineral County law roundup

Traffic Stop, Railroad Avenue, Alberton, Deputy took suspect into custody for out of area outstanding warrant and transported them to Mineral County Jail.

Mineral County Community Calendar - Sept. 11

Friends of Thelma Nelson

Mineral County Community Calendar - Sept. 25

Friends of Thelma Nelson

Mineral County Community Calendar - Oct. 2

Free Medicare 101 Classes Coming Soon

Jury poised to begin deliberations in Wood murder trial

Jurors hearing the murder case of a Northwest Montana woman accused of shooting her ex-boyfriend...

Producer Partnership looks to work with ranchers in Western Montana

The idea started in 2020. The demand for beef was very high and the availability of processing could not keep up.

Ornelas honored for work on DUI Task Force

Montana has 36 approved county-level DUI Task Forces serving 39 counties. Officials say effective DUI task forces are an important mechanism for decreasing the state's alcohol-related injury and fatality rates.

Officials tout progress with new statewide election software

After putting Montana’s new election management software through the paces in a series of local elections this year, state officials appeared confident Thursday that the system will be ready for the flurry of statewide primary and general election activity next year.

Plains girls finish 3rd at ARM track meet

Host Whitefish swept the men’s and women’s team titles at last weekend’s ARM track meet, while the Plains women continued their impressive run in the women’s title chase.

Swope leads Lady Bobcats with medal in javelin

The Superior boys and girls track and field teams are emerging as a Class B Montana high school state contender, early results continue to show.