Sanders & Mineral county election results

With higher than average Montana voter turnout for the 2018 Midterm Election, incumbent Democrat Sen. Jon Tester slipped past Republican Matt Rosendale to retain his seat in the U.S. Senate. Tester received 50 percent of the Montana vote to Rosendale’s 47 percent. Libertarian Rick Breckenridge received 3 percent. All totaled it was 251,611 votes for Tester and 227,036 for Rosendale, a difference of 24,575 votes. Greg Gianforte was declared the winner over Kathleen Williams with 51 percent compared to her 46 percent.

Forum held for hospital board candidates

Questions posed to Mineral County Hospital Board member candidates during a forum last Wednesday followed six topics they had previously received. Topics included their qualifications and reasons for running; challenges the board and the hospital are facing; and what is needed to assure success for the hospital.

Plains Public Library celebrates centennial

The Plains Public Library celebrated its centennial in style last Saturday, Aug. 18 with a book sale, raffle, silent auction and kids’ games just outside the facility on West Railroad Avenue.

Type II team continues to fight area fires

As the fires continue, the smoke is thickening within the county; not just from the active fires within, but also from fires burning in Washington and Oregon.

Sheep Gap Fire still burning, makes run towards Plains

Sheep Gap fire made a run for the town last week, but thanks to quick thinking from fire fighters and the Sheriffs Department no one was hurt.

Local teams kick off season in Frenchtown

Local teams kicked off their basketball season this past weekend with games in Frenchtown.

Fairboard keeps busy

PLAINS – The Sanders County Fairboard had a full slate of business to attend to last week as the group met for their February proceedings at the Fairgrounds Pavilion in Plains.

Comfort in the face of adversity

THOMPSON FALLS - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, according to the ALS Association, “Is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to death.” This means that as the body’s muscles lose connection with the brain, the person with ALS will go through atrophy and eventually lose his or her muscles and eventually become paralyzed and die.

Lawyer Nursery celebrates 55 years of business in Sanders County

Superior girls end season on a high note

SUPERIOR – The Lady Bobcats were eliminated after three games in the district tournament in Ronan.

Mission Valley All-Stars rock the court; Light overshadows Dark

At the Ronan Events Center this past Thursday, area basketball players put an exclamation point on their hoops season with a pair of evenly matched Mission Valley All-Star Games.

A great day for a dip

A shock to the system brings in the New Year for many locals

With the sun shining and temperatures hovering around 15 degrees, people from all over the area convened in Thompson Falls to bring in the New Year with a dip in the Clark Fork River. Over 40 people made the plunge, and several more congregated on the snowy banks at Goose Landing to watch.

Ceremony honors flag, veterans

The Plains High School honored Veterans Day last Thursday by holding a ceremony in front of the school by the flagpole. The ceremony, which involved veterans from the Plains VFW Post 3596 and was attended by all of Plains’ student body, was intended as a way for the school to replace its flags and take a moment to remember those who have served in the Armed Forces.

Hawks soar on the road

It was a good week to be a Blue Hawk or Lady Hawk.

Officials will consider banning motorized boats on Bull River amidst citizen complaints

Wildlife officials will consider new rules regulating the use of motorized boats on the Bull River south of Libby, following a petition from a local landowner.

It's tick season in Montana

Around mid-March outdoor enthusiasts and recreationists start asking each other the annual question, “Have you found one yet?”

Gianforte, FWP say grizzly translocations shows Montana ready for delisting

After announcing on Friday that two grizzly bears from an ecosystem in northwest Montana had been translocated to Yellowstone National Park and Wyoming, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and several others said at a news conference Monday they believe states have done enough to show the federal government that grizzlies are ready to be delisted from Endangered Species Act protections.

Hot Springs nipped in 6-man playoff loss

A couple years ago, another McAllister used to be called “rodeo tough” McAllister for his strong play and ability to mix it up.

Wild Horse Rendezvous celebrates mountain man culture

Montana’s Largest Flea Market is in the middle of Mineral County and the Wild Horse Rendezvous at the far eastern tip of the county every Memorial Day weekend — rain or shine. They both have become legendary events to start the summer.

Mineral County promotes Strengthening Families Month

All throughout the month of April, the Mineral County Healthy Communities Coalition, the Mineral County Family Connections Collaborative, and the Parents as Teachers Program at the Mineral County Health Department will join together in promoting Strengthening Families Month.