Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force Meets

THOMPSON FALLS – The Sanders County Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force met on Wednesday, Feb. 25, with a major point of emphasis placed on watercraft inspection stations.

Benda places eleventh for Superior at state golf

SUPERIOR - Josh Benda and Luke Boyce were studs for Superior golf all season, and were invited to play in the state tournament with the best-of-the-best of Class-C schools from around the region.

New testing standard to affect Mineral County

MINERAL COUNTY – Mineral County schools will soon begin using a new testing standard after the state received a waiver from the U.S. Department of Education.

Judge's ruling retains abandoned railroad right of way for public access

A ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in an ownership dispute of an abandoned railroad right of way near Noxon...

TV show ‘Yellowstone’ generates $750M in spending in Montana

Paramount Network’s popular TV series “Yellowstone,” has sparked the interest of a worldwide audience, bringing an estimated 2.1 million visitors and $730 million in spending to Montana in 2021, according to a new University of Montana study.

Trout Creek's Sen. Brown introduces bill asking Congress to fund law enforcement on reservations

Senate Joint Resolution 5, which had its first hearing Tuesday in the Senate Judiciary Committee, calls for Congress to fully fund the public safety and law enforcement needs of Montana’s tribal nations and reservations.

1,500 wildfires have burned over 937 square miles of Montana

Wildfires continue to plague Montana with several new lightning-caused fires in the Plains and Thompson Falls area on August 31. In Seeley, schools were closed and evacuation orders were made throughout the area as the Rice Ridge Fire has torn through 37,300 acres.

Thompson Falls narrows superintendent finalists

The Thompson Falls Board of Trustees has selected four finalists for superintendent of Thompson Falls Public Schools.

An update from the House

Weekly Update House District 14

Plains Track and Field team hits academic high

PLAINS - The 2013 spring sports season may be over; but, the honors keep rolling in for the Plains High School Track & Field team. The Montana High School Association, in cooperation with the Montana Army National Guard, recently announced their 2013 Spring Sports Academic All-Team Awards. And, right at the top of the list for the Class B Boys and Girls squads were our very own Horsemen and Trotters.

St. Regis Visitor Center to remain open despite budget cuts

4Hers compete at congress

Eight Sanders County youth attended the 83rd Annual 4-H Congress held on the Montana State University campus in Bozeman July 9-12. “4-H in Action” was a perfect theme for the event at which youth gained skills in the areas of technology, leadership, communication, community service and team work; powerful tools that will benefit them on their journey through life.

Legislative misconceptions

As we get closer to the end of the 62nd Legislative Session, I would like to clear up some misconceptions about a host of hot-button legislation currently working its way through the process. Alarmists from all sides have taken many of these issues entirely out of context and portrayed them as something they are not.  I had a constituent stop by to express disappointment on my vote for Senate Bill 306.   I explained that I would be mad too if the only information I had was what was available in the press.  This has been totally misrepresented in the media as opening the door to new open pit mining.  Contrary to the misinformation put out by the bill’s critics, SB 306 does NOT overturn the 1998 voter-approved cyanide heap-leach mining ban. Under the 1998 initiative, a few mines were grandfathered in and allowed to continue using this method in a responsible manner. SB 306 simply states that if a new gold or silver mine wants to do business in Montana, they are allowed to truck ore to only these mines for processing.  This is one of the many Republican sponsored bills supporting legislation that will create opportunities for more jobs in Montana. It will essentially give the green light to new gold and silver mines that want to bring business and economic activity to our state and allow clean-up of abandoned mine sites by the State with processing of the low-grade ore to pay for the clean-up.  This bill is also supported by the DEQ and is on its way to the Governor after having passed both the House and Senate. Gov. Schweitzer has said he wants jobs legislation and that he supports responsible natural resource development, so it is my hope that he will sign SB 306 into law.

Alberton tracksters have high hopes

Slowly but surely the varsity sports program at Alberton High School, now in it’s second year of existence as a non-co-op team, is producing some quality athletes.

Postseason begins for football and volleyball

It’s that time of year, as the beginning of the Montana High School Association state playoffs in volleyball and football, get under way this weekend at sites throughout Big Sky Country.

Gov. Gianforte announces deals to improve Clark Fork River flows

Governor Greg Gianforte announced Thursday agreements that secure water releases to improve stream flows in the Clark Fork River.

Hot Springs students challenged to show geography knowledge

Attorney General joins lawsuit challenging endangered species rules

Montana Attorney General Tim Fox on Nov. 29 joined 16 other states in a federal lawsuit challenging new endangered species regulations they say exceed federal wildlife agencies’ rule-making authority.

Horsemen and Bluehawks battle at Legends Stadium

KALISPELL – The boys of Sanders County’s Class B schools were also active during last week’s State Championship Meet in Kalispell.

Tri-State Tournament held in Trout Creek

TROUT CREEK - Over the weekend the Annual Tri-State Tournament took place in Trout Creek.