The price of power

Montana and the nation are at the crux of a changing energy future. What that future will look like depends on the choices we make now. These choices will require some tough decisions by both electricity consumers and the regulators of our utilities at the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC).  Regulated electric and gas utilities in Montana include Northwestern Energy (NWE) and Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU) in the eastern part of our state. Electric co-ops are not regulated by the PSC. The challenge for electricity providers and regulators is how to incorporate alternative forms of energy such as wind, biomass, solar and geothermal into our system as a long term investment towards clean energy and energy independence. As with most investments, the payoff comes over time, perhaps even over a lifetime. Judith Gap, Montana’s first wind farm, came on line in 2006, and customers are already seeing the benefits. The 135MW facility supplies 8% of NWE’s energy needs at a cost of about $40/MWH, considerably less than the cost of electricity produced at the coal fired power plant in Coalstrip ($54/MWH).

The power of the presidential purse

Dan’s Column

New propane store opens in Superior

A new Superior propane service company moved in just down the road from the longtime propane company company Energy Partners. The new business is Mineral Energy Co., and is owned by Energy Partners’ previous manager, Kirby Smith.

Insuring the energy future of the family farm

One of the hardest parts of ranching or farming a multi-generational agricultural entity is the constant knawing sensation that a perfect storm of weather problems and low livestock or crop prices may stress the operation to the point that the bank won’t even offer an operating loan. Rural Montanans know that feeling or know someone who does.

Dates for delivery by Christmas

The Superior Post Office announces the below recommended mailing dates for delivery by Christmas to our U.S. military troops serving overseas at APO/FPO ZIP Code addresses.

No to property tax increases

One item that is to be voted on Nov. 4 is the request to increase our property taxes in support of college expenses. I recommend that we vote no to approve an increase on our property taxes for the following three reasons:

Commissioners award gravel contract to Gull

Energy policies

In an interview with the Missoulian last week, State Representative Pat Ingraham let slip that she wants us to pay higher energy bills.  She stated that she supports further deregulation of energy companies.  The lessons of the past are clearly lost on Mrs. Ingraham — when the state legislature deregulated energy in the late 1990s, Montana went from having some of the cheapest energy to having some of the most expensive.  Further deregulation of these big companies will only result in higher prices. 

Olin “Wayne” Rose

Olin “Wayne” Rose rode off into his final sunset in Superior, Montana, on Friday, May 28, 2021

State biologist shares elk, deer survey results

We’ve added some extra opportunity to harvest cow elk...

Robin Renae Gould Jones

Robin Renae Gould Jones, 54, of Missoula, passed away on Friday, March 13, 2020, at Missoula Health and Rehabilitation Center, secondary to a prolonged illness.

Roni Phillips takes helm as new jail administrator

Roni Phillips has been hired as the new Mineral County Jail Administrator. A position created by a special jail committee after the county’s Detention Center closed on Dec. 3, 2017 due to a shortage of detention officers. Several steps have been taken to get the jail reopened, including the hiring of Phillips for this new position.

Former St. Regis student honored as Army commissioned officer; stationed at Fort Meade

On August 4, 2017, Tomi J. Thompson of St. Regis, was promoted to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Three (CW3).

Multiple accidents occurred on Hwy 200 within a few hours

Three accidents occurred within a few hours Monday afternoon all on Highway 200. The first was a few miles west of Dixon, the second was an overturned semi-trailer in the Perma Curves and the third happened near Paradise. All three accidents resulted in temporary closures of Highway 200.

Thilmony title leads Bluehawks at Cut Bank Invitational

Four wrestlers on the Thompson Falls/Noxon high school squad brought home medals from the Cut Bank Booster Invitational last Saturday.

Lady Bobcats lose two close games

The Superior girls’ basketball team had two close games last week as they went up against Valley Christian and Deer Lodge. The girls lost to Valley by two, 44-46, and lost to Deer Lodge by three, 36-39.

Legals for May, 3 2023

Alberton High celebrates ‘different’ type of graduation

When it was all said and done, the 2020 Alberton High School graduates weren’t going to let social distancing rules dictate every aspect of their ceremony Sunday afternoon.

Thompson Falls Lady Hawks have lofty expectations

At least 23 girls reported for practice, including one of the best volleyball players in Northwest Montana in the form of Avery Burgess, who transferred from Noxon this summer.

Mineral County Justice Court

Guilty