Plains declares declaration of local disaster emergency

Plains Mayor Dan Rowan issued a declaration of a state of local disaster emergency Tuesday morning.

Two-time champion

Dillon Fryxell ended his high school track career the same way he spent a majority of it, out jumping all of his competition.

GOP candidates meet at Lincoln-Reagan dinner

The Mineral County Republican Central Committee held their annual Lincoln-Reagan dinner at the St. Regis Community Center with over 100 people attending.

Letter to the Editor - Feb. 27

No amnesty for invaders of any of our 50 sovereign Republics, whose oath you swore you would defend when you said you would protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Frivilous Spending

On Wednesday night Governor Schweitzer was on the KECI 10:00pm news bashing “frivolous” legislation - he used spear hunting, allowing children to have firearms INSIDE (my emphasis) in schools, and the multitude of nullification bills as examples of such.  He stated, “These frivolous pieces of legislation have cost the taxpayers of Montana $2,000,000.00.”

The Trail Rail Run is still on!

The race is on! At least for in-state runners, so lace up those sneakers and refresh that training schedule the Trail Rail Run is less than a month away. Following an email-based survey sent out to race participants and volunteers Trail Rail Run Director Tyler Cheesman has elected to move forward with the 2020 race.

FFA members bust out in March

A team consisting of Jasper, Drobny, Dufresne participated in the State Agricultural Mechanics contest, and the Hill sisters debated and voted on new FFA policies for next year in the delegate sessions. Members also got to show their stuff on the dance floor and attend a hypnotist show. There was also a trade show where students had the opportunity to see a variety of different career opportunities in the agriculture industry. The group also went to the Museum of the Rockies, and the Bozeman Agricultural Research and Teaching Farm.Madison had to complete 25 hours of community service and dedicate 350 hours to her agricultural experience project. Her project was raising and showing steers at the county fair in Superior for 4-H and FFA over the past three years.“It’s the second most prestigious degree you can get,” said Nielsen.At the conference, members participated in several days of workshops, meetings, award ceremonies, and guest speakers including Senator Steve Daines. Over 90 other Montana chapters were in attendance. At the conference, Madison Hill received a State FFA Degree.Next, members were off to the 86th Annual Montana FFA State Conference in Bozeman from March 30 until April 2. Attendees were Madison Hill, Emma Hill, Jacob Jasper, Josh Drobny, Damon Dufresne, Chloe Goss, and Kaitlin Jackson.It was the first time the organization had this type of event and Nielsen said that it was a great success and that they hope to do it again. Another activity was a giant spider web made out of PVC pipes and yarn. There were several holes in the web and teams had to get all their members through the holes without touching the yarn. The kids also did Karaoke, danced, played with Nerf guns, and ate loads of food brought in by each student for a pot luck. “For example, we had teams of six people and they stood on two boards and had to walk together in order to move the boards forward. If the team isn’t coordinated, than it won’t work and you can’t move,” said Nielsen.The event went from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. and included several team building activities. The activities required skills that included good communication, team-work, and cooperation.The FFA Officer team consists of President, Madison Hill; Vice President, Anna Sanford; Treasurer, Emma Hill; Secretary, Nicole Orrison; Reporter Travis Jaquez; Sentinel Jacob Jasper.“It was to promote FFA and have a night of fun in a positive environment,” she said.The members then hosted a “Lock-In” at St. Regis High School on March 25, where they invited other students to join in the fun. FFA advisor, Hollie Nielsen, said that 29 students participated in the event where they played games, and stayed in the gym overnight. Madison Hill, Anna Sanford and Travis Jaquez’s team placed second in Agricultural Communications, and Emma Hill, Nicole Orrison, and Kaitlin Jackson’s team placed ninth. Also, Madison Hill placed third High Individual in Agricultural Communication. On the fourth, members traveled to Cascade Montana for the JAAM State Contest. At JAAM, teams competed in categories including job interview; agriculture issues; agriculture marketing, along with career development events. The St. Regis Future Farmers of America (FFA) youth organization had a busy March. The organization attended the JAAM State Contest, hosted a Lock-In, and attended the State Conference in Bozeman.

Callers will soon need to dial 406 for all communication

The Montana Public Service Commission staff said that everyone should start using the 406-area code for all Montana calls starting April 24, 2021. Beginning Oct. 24, 2021, Montana calls without the 406-area code will not be connected.

Gianforte vetoes bill to fund law enforcement on Flathead Reservation

Gov. Greg Gianforte last week vetoed House Bill 479 – the only bill regarding Public Law 280 to make it through the 2023 Legislature.

4-H riders prepare for State Horse Show

Laura Bakker made the trip from Missoula to help local county riders prepare for their state show appearance in Lewistown later in the week.

Truth about mining 'Bad Actor' law

When critics of the Mining Bad Actors Law attacks Montana’s enforcement of a state law that protects taxpayers from shouldering the clean-up bill for mining companies, it’s clearly time to impose an old-fashioned smell test. In weaving together their argument, they got many of their facts wrong.

Hot Springs looks to citizens for review

HOT SPRINGS – Last June the voters of Hot Springs voted through a local government review to examine the current process of governance used by the town’s local government.

Students participate in National Geography Bee

PLAINS – The Mackinaw Bridge connects the upper and lower peninsulas of which state, West Virginia or Michigan? This question started off the Sanders County Homeschool Co-op’s geography bee.

Superior golf moves on

ST. REGIS – St. Regis Golf ended their 2014 season on May 1, playing host to nine other teams at the Trestle Creek Golf Course.

Task force works to implement anonymous call line

THOMPSON FALLS – The Sanders County DUI Task Force continued discussions to set up an anonymous call line for law enforcement entities throughout the county.

Better public land management is possible; An update from Sen. Fielder

People who prefer federal control are trying to convince everyone that Montanans would sell all the public lands if we are put in charge of them.  No chance. Popularity for transferring control of federal public lands to the state is growing because of the inability of the federal government to manage these lands, or much of anything else, responsibly.

An update from Senator Fielder

“There are no losers to what we are going to propose,” said Kane County Commissioner Doug Heaton, a founding member of American Lands Council (ALC).

Bass anglers compete in Trout Creek

TROUT CREEK – Boats roared to life across Noxon reservoir over the weekend as anglers from all over the northwest flocked to Trout Creek to compete in the annual Tri-State Bass Tournament.

County schools send students to compete at state

Business Professionals of America State Competition offers a chance to shine

Students from St. Regis and Superior traveled to the Business Professionals of America State Competition last week.

Piranhas pull out wins at state meet in Sydney

SYDNEY- The Plains Swim Team spent a good deal of time this season working on the fundamentals and getting the team used to what competition feels like. The team tirelessly practiced flip turns, starts and technique during a season that only lasts a few months giving swimmers little time to adapt and learn.