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

Task force work continues

MINERAL COUNTY – Mineral County Commissioners were busy last week at their annual meeting passing several measures including one that will maintain an organization devoted to keeping Mineral County residents safe from those who make bad choices behind the wheel.

Library to hold Spring Fling fundraiser

SUPERIOR – In the finest traditions of spring, the old will make way for the new as the Mineral County Public Library holds a book sale at their annual Spring Fling event this weekend. The event is being put on with help from the Friends of the Library, a group who helps with the library and raises money to support their community projects. These events include the library’s summer reading program, the October pumpkin decorating contest and visit by Santa in December. The sale will focus mostly on books. These will be books with a low circulation, which have not been checked out in a long time. There may also be a number VHS tapes available. The goal is to get rid of old stuff and make room for new stock to be brought in. According to Rachel McGillivray, an employee at the library, there will be something for everyone. She said they had lots of fiction, non-fiction and a few children’s books going into the sale. Around 3:00 p.m. everything will see big discounts as the final sale starts. The goal is to get rid of everything by the end of the day. “We don’t really want to bring anything back,” McGillivray said. Anything extra will be donated to an organization who sends books and other items to Africa to help the education system in those communities. The Friends of the Library will also provide a soup lunch for patrons to enjoy. Approximately 11 baskets and a quilt will be raffled off during the sale. People will be able to buy tickets and put them in the jar for the basket they want. A silent auction for a painting and baked goods will also be held. “Tons of people from all around the churches [and] the school, they’re going to make a bunch of stuff for us to sell,” McGillivray said. Some community members will also have tables to sell their own goods at the sale. This is the fourth year of the library’s Spring Fling fundraiser. In the past it was held in Superior’s 4H building, but it grew out of the space. The event quickly began to need a bigger venue. “It definitely uses up a lot of space,” McGillivray said. “So the elementary school gym is perfect because we can put all our books out on tables.” McGillivray said the Spring Fling has been popular in the past. The library has been able to make lots of changes to the facility with the money raised at the event. “People really enjoy it, they love coming out,” McGillivray said. “It gives them something to look forward to in the middle of all the snow and not being able to go anywhere.” The Spring Fling fundraiser was originally planned to be held on Saturday, March 1. It was cancelled because of heavy snow and blizzard-like conditions, which led to several accidents around the county. The event was rescheduled to this week. The fundraiser will now be held Saturday, March 8. It will be in the Superior Elementary School gym from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Hot Springs Drama Club lights up stage

Superior dominates the court in weekend games

SUPERIOR – The Superior Bobcats took two strong victories against the Hot Springs Savage Heat and the Thompson Falls Blue Hawks last Friday and Saturday.

Counting sheep

Plains water system gets full upgrade

PLAINS – The town of Plains is hard at work updating water mains and the water system, adding links between pipes so the water is able to circle through town.

Mineral County brainstorms ideas for community center

After a survey conducted by the Mineral County Health Department showed that the number one desire for the county was a community center, officials began discussing the idea of building one. Mineral County officials met in the packed Senior Center in Superior on Thursday, May 9 to brainstorm ideas to build a community center. Superior Schools Superintendent Scott Kinney originally came up with the idea because he wants to relocate the wrestlers to different area to practice, but he has nowhere to send them. They currently train in the multi-purpose room where there is stage and sound equipment. “It truly is a multipurpose room,” Kinney said. He says the room gets beat up from the wrestlers and would like to see a new facility for the wrestlers and to also be used for the community. This triggered conversations with County Commissioner Roman Zylawy, who also believes the county should create a new, multiuse facility or a community center. The current 4H building, or Quonset hut, has seen a crumbling roof, plumbing and structural issues since its erection more than 60 years ago. “You just about have to turn sideways to get in the bathroom,” District Ranger Carole Johnson said. 4H activities could relocate to a new building, which could also be used for shooting sports, a performing arts center and a senior center. “The current building gets used almost every day,” Johnson said. It is already used for family reunions, receptions and 4H activities, however the Quonset hut has seen better days. Jim Goss, who represents several Mineral County nonprofits would like to see a new facility to host Mineral County Performing Arts Council (MCPAC) concerts. The LDS Church currently hosts concerts for MCPAC, but Goss would like to see a separate venue. Goss would also like to see the current Senior Center relocated to the potential community center. “The facility is showing its age and the kitchen is way too small,” Goss said. A commercial kitchen and larger space would better accommodate the county’s aging population. Goss says senior centers are compelling to grants and could help with applications. But none of this can happen without funding. That’s why Zylawy has researched the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), a program that provides communities with affordable housing and community development.

Skatepark and more planned for Alberton

Ever since 2016, members of the PEAK Foundation in Alberton have dreamt of renovating the town park. Now, their dream will come true with an official ground breaking in early June. Armed with a $10,000 grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation, the money can be added to the pot to fund the project. Once they reach $150,000, Montana State Parks will match that amount dollar-for-dollar to complete the $300,000 renovation.

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.

Ninth annual silent auction set for T Falls

Get ready to place your bids!   The 9th annual Silent Auction sponsored by the Friends of the Thompson Falls Library begins on Tuesday, November 24th. This is a ten day event that will culminate on Saturday, December 5th at 5:00 p.m. The auction will be held this year in the new annex room, which is located adjacent to the library and will be open Tuesday through Saturday during regular library hours.. This is always an exciting event and a local favorite, and this year’s auction promises to have something for everyone in every price range. 85 items are up for bidding, including amazing themed baskets, many works by local artists, unique individual pieces, a beautifully restored antique rocker, handmade furniture, and numerous quilted and hand crafted items. Many local businesses supported the cause with donations or gift  certificates for services. Whether you’re interested in the outdoors (winter wear, gardening, birds, workshop), or the indoors (family game night, Twilight books and movie, beading, spa time, home decor), dining out, or cooking in and regardless of whether  you’re shopping for a woman in your life or more manly pursuits, this auction has it all, and then some! 

Women take on the outdoors

Women brave the rugged outdoors as part of the women in the outdoors workshop

Outdoor recreation is not unique to most Montanans, but a ‘Women in the Outdoors Workshop' is.

With a new year comes changes

SANDERS COUNTY – The year 2014 is sure to bring change to Sanders County, perhaps most notably with the community leaders.

Flint Creek illness forces cancellation of Plains game

In the end, Covid-19 won another game.

Legals for February, 17 2021

CSKT members elect new Tribal Council

Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes members chose incumbent James “Bing” Matt as an at-large representative on the Tribal Council.