Noxon's Stogner receives Navy Cross Medal

Marine risked his life to save his gunner, other soldiers in Vietnam

James Stogner of Noxon received the prestigious Navy Cross Medal during a special ceremony Friday afternoon, April 5 at the VFW in Polson.

Thilmony wins title at Montana Open at MetraPark

It would be proper to call it a “bookend” season for Thompson Falls freshman Trae Thilmony on the wrestling mat.

Plains golfers improving with every stroke of ball

Plains High School will be about as “green” as the grass on which they play for the 2019 golf season.

Wheeled Phoenix project helps veterans re-enter society in U.S.

The visions I’ve had of forgotten veterans have haunted me for years ... the Wheeled Phoenix project, the concept I’ve devised, will buy old cars and restore them as resto-mods. The cars will be raffled off by a nonprofit, Veteran Phoenix, LLLP, and the donations received from ticket sales will help homeless veterans re-enter society. Wheeled Phoenix’, Inc. will also produce two reality shows; one that will feature the car’s rebuild, and the other will feature the rebuilding of a soldier’s life.

Mineral Community Hospital receives new portable X-ray machine

Patients at Mineral Community Hospital will soon benefit from studies using the latest in X-ray technology made possible through a grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust’s Rural Healthcare Program.

A reporter's farewell: 'My Swan Song'

This issue of the Mineral Independent will be my “Swan Song.” After this, I will be heading into a new adventure where I will be moving to Conrad with my significant other, Gus Chambers. For those unfamiliar with the small town, it is located one hour north of Great Falls. There we have a nice farm house with 20 acres in the middle of an alfalfa field!

Where is the Taft cemetery?

Boom town supported railroad in early 1900s

“Bullet, belt buckle, button,” the metal detector’s screen reads various items buried some seven feet beneath the earth. Forest Service Archeologist Erika Karuzas continues to wave the detector over an area that most believe is the location of an old cemetery. Located on a hillside covered with 100-year-old lodge pole pine overlooking Interstate 90.

A lesson from Montana: 'Manners make things easier for everybody'

I was thinking this morning of the shrill sounds, threats, and recriminations coming out of our nation’s capital. For some reason, perhaps because of the contrast, it reminded me of a meeting that occurred outside of Dillon, Mont., in 2007.

Plains/Hot Springs brings seasoned team with lots of depth to diamond

When divisional tournament time rolls around the first weekend of May, probably no one will want to face the Plains/Hot Springs softball team.

T-Falls starting out fresh on boys' team; girls have more vets T-Falls boys' track rebuilding, Lady Hawks shows balance

Thompson Falls has a handful of returning state meet qualifiers heading into the eventual opening of the 2019 track and field season.

Thompson Falls continues building process

Sometimes you have to take two steps forward and one step back when you’re rebuilding a high school sports program.

Brubaker, VanVleet, Weltzes lead Noxon

Four returning state qualifiers, including a defending champion, lead Noxon into the 2019 track and field season, which opens Saturday at the Eureka Invitational. Events begin at 10 a.m., weather permitting.

Plains High School senior Paulsen wins Duck Stamp competition

Malachi Paulsen certainly has an “eye for art.” When he picks up a graphite, color or charcoal pencil, it seems like magical things happen.

19 MC students head to BPA nationals

Mineral County Business Professionals of America (BPA) students returned from the annual State Leadership Conference where 14 students placed. Eleven students from St. Regis and eight from Superior will continue on to the National Leadership Conference (NLC) in Anaheim, Calif., set for May 1-5.

Superior High students in Italy visiting Rome

Jeff Schultz had always wanted to do some international travel. But between college football, marriage and children, he never had the opportunity. At least not until now.

Statewide campaign fights tobacco and e-cigarettes

Ronnie Trentham stood in front of a gym full of junior high and high school students and explained why he no longer has a jaw bone. His face now deformed as a result of oral cancer caused by using chewing tobacco. It was a part of “Kick Butts Day,” a nationwide event to raise awareness on the problems caused by tobacco use.

Legislative Report

We still have a few house bills that will be worked across to the Senate soon. The committee meetings have been going late to take care of business. There will still be a few bills dropped in the house hopper before the deadline.

Expect traffic delays I-90 rehab project in Mineral County begins April 1

The Montana Department of Transportation is rehabilitating I-90 between St. Regis and Superior. The project begins 1 1/2 miles east of St. Regis and ends approximately five miles west of Superior near the Dry Creek Road Interchange (Exit 43).

Dawn Bauer recipient of prestigious Hunger Hope Award

Superior School’s Elementary Administrative Assistant and Afterschool Coordinator Dawn Bauer has been recognized for her work in securing food for hungry children. She was presented with an award during the Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN) event, The Taste, on March 8. This is an annual fundraiser for the food bank and was held at the Neptune Aviation airplane hangar in Missoula. Where over 100 food and drinks were prepared by nearly 40 local chefs, brewers, distiller and other food establishments.

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.