Missoula folk group makes stop in Hot Springs

HOT SPRINGS – In canoe terminology, to have tumblehome refers to a design that makes paddling the craft easier, due to the flared out sides of the vessel, which deflect water in a more economical way than traditionally designed canoes.

Wilson, Osborne, Johnson move to state track meet

Sanders County Senior News

Plains High School art students show off their talents at exhibit

The Plains High School students of art teacher Kristen Cole’s classes displayed talent, perception and creativity on May 5 at the Student Art Exhibit outside the school gym.

Tree of Hearts helps less fortunate families

They say Christmas is the most wonderful time of year. With kids jingle belling

Tourney roundup: Trotters clip Superior, 29-28

The 14C and 7B boys and girls basketball tournaments were a treat for local hoop fans from the opening tip-off.

Gun owned by Danielle Wood found in Clark Fork River

The serial number on the gun matched one bought by Wood a few months before the shooting death of Matthew LaFriniere. LaFriniere and Wood had a child together and prosecutors alleged dur

St. Regis-Mullan moving to Montana west division

Pending final approval by the Montana High School Association executive board in mid January, some significant changes are on the way for 8-Player Football in the state.

COLUMN: Eating crow

I’m sure of only one thing….it tastes really sour and I haven’t had a bite yet.

Plains teams end season with winning records

It’s been a few years since either the Plains boys or girls basketball teams have made it to the Western Divisional tournament.

Sanders County Coalition battles child abuse

Crystal Buchanan, her husband and daughter had their work cut out for them last week when they placed 875 pinwheels in the grassy strip in downtown Plains.

Bigfork gives Plains teams tough test

The Plains boys and girls basketball teams, along with the home fans, got a good look this past weekend at the best of the Western 7B conference...and the state.

Superior Bobcats roll Darby, 72-36

After multiple seasons of success on the football field, the Superior Bobcats were thought to have lost, by some pundits, their explosiveness thanks in large part to a large number of key players who graduated last Spring.

Cabbage patch kids raise vegetables in Plains

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 2.4 billion pounds of cabbage were produced in the U.S. in 2005. This year, 33 pounds of that number will belong to 10-year-old Sophia Brown, Plains’ winner of the Bonnie Plant Farm 3rd Grade Cabbage Program.

DUI Task Force hopes to curb highway fatalities

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol has severe and sometimes, fatal consequences. There were 187 fatalities on Montana roads in 2016, with 94 of those accidents relating to impaired driving, according to a Montana Department of Transportation report. In Mineral County, 61 people have been either killed or seriously injured due to impaired driving between 2006 and 2015. Some reports even say that Montana’s I-90 is one of the most dangerous roads in the nation in terms of drunk driving fatalities.

District ranger provides update

Superior District Ranger Carole Johnson met with Mineral County Commissioners on Jan. 19 with an update of current projects her department has been working on. The update included information about salvage projects in the area, the upcoming large mushroom harvest as a result of the fires, and personnel issues facing the department.

Cool Summer Nights lights up Trout Creek

The 2018 Cool Summer Nights Car Show at the Lakeside Motel and Resort in Trout Creek last weekend pulled out all the stops for this year’s event.

Health Center reminds of flu season risks

MINERAL COUNTY – With the county in the heart of flu season and with winter weather making colds more common, it is important for people to take steps to protect their health. According to Peggy Stevens, a health nurse with the Mineral County Health Department, there have been a few confirmed cases of influenza in Mineral County this season. She said there have been three strains of the virus identified this year, which are being tracked by the Center for Disease Control. As of Feb. 15, the Montana Department of Health and Human Services said the most common strain in the state was the H1N1 strain of Influenza type A. Shirley Iwata, administrative assistant at the health department, said there were at least two cases of flu, which had the strains tested. She said the Mineral Community Hospital and Mineral Regional Health Center confirmed the cases as Influenza A. The flu, or influenza virus, is most common between October and May. While anyone can catch the virus, it has the most serious impact on children and the elderly. The CDC recommends cases of the flu be watched closely as the disease can lead to pneumonia, dehydration and seizures among other potentially life threatening conditions. Statistics from the CDC say thousands of people in the United States die each year from the flu. Many more are hospitalized with complications. To avoid these problems and getting sick in general, it is important to take steps to avoid catching the flu in the first place. The health department recommends people get a flu vaccine every year. The CDC considers this the best way for people to protect themselves against catching the virus. Mineral Regional Health Center and Mineral County Health Department both offer vaccinations to the public. There are two main vaccinations offered at the health center. One vaccine is inactive and uses dead or dormant samples of the virus to prepare the body against the disease. This is commonly referred to as the flu shot and is administered by needle injection. The other common flu vaccine is an active vaccine. This is commonly given in a nasal spray and contains live influenza, which has been rendered harmless. Stevens also had a few recommendations for how to avoid catching the flu. She said keeping the hands washed is a good way to avoid the virus. She also recommended not touching the eyes or around the mouth as these areas can help the virus get into the body. “We recommend people…do universal precautions as far as preventing getting sick,” Stevens said. One of the best ways to keep the number down is to remain vigilant and not let the virus into the body. Another big recommendation Stevens gave was for people who are sick to stay home. Because the flu is airborne, the best way to avoid spreading it is to not expose others. Staying home will also be helpful in a person’s fight against the virus and their recovery. For more information about the flu, or flu vaccinations, contact the Mineral County Health Department at 822-3564. Information can also be found online at cdc.gov/flu and dphhs.mt.gov/influenza.

Superior fire chief to retire

SUPERIOR – Beginning next month, the Superior Volunteer Fire Department will have a new fire chief after the current chief steps down after nine years serving the community.

Plow driver works for county community's safety