Mineral County Fair to offer new events

"Always Fun in the 54" is the theme of the 48th Mineral County Fair set for Aug. 3-5, with many favorite events but a whole sack-full of new stuff.

Lake Co. seeks to end law enforcement agreement on Flathead Reservation

Public Law 280, a unique agreement that has shaped law enforcement in Lake County and on the Flathead Reservation for nearly 60 years, has reached “a breaking point,” according to county officials.

John “Johnny” Cochran

John “Johnny” Cochran

Wife, ex-wife take stand

Calm, collected and cheerful, Nicole Guill spent almost six hours on the witness stand Monday, testifying on behalf of her husband in the case where he is charged with felony counts of sexual assault, sexual assault without consent and incest.

Debate heats up for Sen. District 7

Voters from across Mineral County gathered in at Superior High School Wednesday evening for a Lincoln-Douglas style debate that gave people a chance to hear what issues are most important to the candidates.

Hope from ashes

The air has a pungent smell of ash. Dark streaks rise along the walls. Debris covers the floor and countertops. Soot envelopes everything else, from broken windowpanes, to tin cans, to door knobs, to the charred and twisted remains of melted appliances.

Recent deer and elk counts show increase in numbers

Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP) biologist, Liz Bradley gave a presentation at a recent Mineral County Commissioners meeting. Every spring she does elk and deer surveys in Mineral County for Hunting Districts 200-203, 260 west, and 283 west for Region 2. This is her third year of flying with Mark Musick of Minute Man Aviation. Musick has been doing these surveys since late 80s and she commented that it was nice to have that consistency with same pilot for so many years.

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.

How the Sunrise Fire grew to over 6,400 acres

By Sunday morning, July 30 the Sunrise Fire had grown to 6,400 acres and was only 5 percent contained. As a result of continued hot, dry weather and westerly winds. Some 60 homes were threatened by the fire and residents were ordered to evacuate from the Sunrise and Quartz Flats areas with Verde Creek remaining at Stage 2 orders to be ready to evacuate. The area terrain is steep and hard to reach with hand crews in most areas.

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.

Flat Creek fish habitat improvement focus of group

Just downstream from where a group of county and state agency officials had stopped to examine the work done on Cedar Creek was Superior resident Shawn Plakke, who was teaching his 13-year-old son, Orion, how to fly fish. A deep pool, created by logs installed last year through a habitat improvement project, yielded a school of 6-inch cutthroat trout. Trout that Orion skillfully pulled to shore after landing his fly on the still, clear water surface.

Mixed bag for local high school teams

Volleyball

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.

A humble beginning turns into something larger

Last week, 15 chocolate lab puppies and 15 older labs were coated in feces and urine, in need of water and warmth. Today, they are in a giving, caring facility that is treating them for ailments and searching for the right owner who will give them the attention they need.

Mineral County Community Calendar - Nov. 6

Free Medicare 101 Classes Coming Soon

Allegations resurface, candidate remains transparent

Huckleberry Festival in Trout Creek

TROUT CREEK- Thousands of people flocked to the small lakeside community of Trout Creek over the weekend for the 34th annual Huckleberry Festival. While the huckleberry may be the state fruit of Idaho, the plant is celebrated in Sanders County with a festival that draws vendors and crowds from around the region.

Concerns raised over MCSO responses to emergency calls

In reaction to a series of public comments and letters regarding the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, the Mineral County Commissioners held a meeting Friday to discuss complaints that the office is not properly responding to emergency calls.

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.

St. Regis nationally recognized