Whitetail deer numbers down for northwest Montana

SANDERS COUNTY - Hunters took to the field Saturday and Sunday across northwest Montana for the opening weekend of the general deer and elk season. At the six northwest Montana check stations, a total of 2,900 hunters checked 85 white-tailed deer (66 of these were bucks), 16 mule deer, and 17 elk for a 4.1 percent rate of hunters with game. This compares with a 5.5 percent rate of hunters with game last year at the check stations.

Area trappers learn techniques from expert

PLAINS – Concerned citizens in Sanders County met Saturday to discuss the wolf population and to get an education on wolf trapping from Mark Schlenker, an experienced Alaskan wolf trapper.

Superior motel gains global recognition

SUPERIOR – Superior recently made the global map as the Big Sky Motel was presented with a Certificate of Excellence as one of the top-performing business of the website TripAdvisor.

Savage Heat capture home field in first round of playoffs

HOT SPRINGS- The Savage Heat were able to capture another win Friday night at home against Lone Peak 76-30.

Future uncertain for forest projects

On Monday Sept. 30, Northern Regional Forester Faye Krueger announced that the Cedar Thom Project had been placed at the top of the priority list for working with Fish and Wildlife Service and getting to the boots on the ground phase.

MCPAC opens season with classical guitar concert

SUPERIOR – The strumming of guitar music filled Superior’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Tuesday evening as the Mineral County Performing Arts Council presented the classical guitar playing of Dr. Roger Glenn Pafford.

Hot Springs Savage Heat dominates on the field

HOT SPRINGS - Firing on all cylinders Friday night the Hot Springs Savage Heat pelted the Bears of Lima 74-0.

Hot Springs dominates the competition

WEST YELLOWSTONE – The Savage Heat football team from Hot Springs dominated their opponents away from home on Saturday easily dispatching the team 71 to zero. The team applied relentless pressure in the first half on offense and defense repeatedly stopping drives by their challengers and scoring touchdowns in the hands of nine different players.

Sheriff defends Deputy Balenger

Mineral County Sheriff Ernie Ornelas held a press conference on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6:00 pm in front of the Mineral County Courthouse in Superior, where himself and Deputy Jim Balenger’s attorney defended the actions of the deputy on the evening of Sept. 20.

Homecoming festivities hit Hot Springs

HOT SPRINGS – Homecoming festivities took hold of the town of Hot Springs and did not let go for several hours on Thursday as the community gathered to support the high school and its athletic programs. Events included a parade, a rally in the park and games between classes on the high school football field.

Hot Springs gains a victory during homecoming game

HOT SPRINGS – The Savage Heat football team unleashed an offensive bombardment on the team from Lincoln on Friday during the 2013 Homecoming game in Hot Springs. The team defeated their opponents 59 to 0 during the one sided match that saw consistent defensive stops from Hot Springs and touchdowns coming on the ground and through the air.

Sheriff to hold press conference

Mineral County Sheriff Ernie Ornelas will hold a press conference on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6:00pm in front of the Mineral County Courthouse in Superior.

School Board discusses developments in academic year

PLAINS – The Plains School Board Trustees met on Monday, September 16 to tend to a variety of different issues, varying from the progress of the school expansion to purchasing new iPads for the first grade class.

Hot Springs prepares to take on Lincoln at home

HOT SPRINGS - After a bye week coming off a tough loss in their season opener, the Savage Heat are looking to rebound against Lincoln at home this Friday.

Car show draws crowds despite cloudy conditions

TROUT CREEK - Clouds and threats of rain could not stop the 9th annual Cool Summer Nights Car Show in Trout Creek at the Lakeside Motel and Resort. Overcast skies looked to washout the car show, however by the start of the show at 10 a.m. the number of cars outdid the rainy expectation. Cars, trucks, pickups and motorcycles lined up on the grass, pavement and inside of the restaurant. In all, 36 vehicles lined up for the day with sunny to overcast skies. The voting for the people’s and driver’s choice awards were completed by spectators as well as the drivers. A deadline of 2 p.m. was established for votes, which allowed one hour to tally up the numbers and announce the winners by 3 p.m.

MCSO response being prepared

Mineral County Sheriff Ernie Ornelas has informed the Mineral Independent that in “a week to 10-days” he will “set-up” an interview regarding Deputy Jim Balenger’s alleged use of excessive force and the repercussions of those allegations to MCSO.

Caroline Ann Kittock Holyk

PLAINS - Caroline Ann Kittock Holyk passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 with family and friends by her side. She was 89.

Sanders County Fair draws crowds

PLAINS - The 2013 Sanders County Fair descended upon Plains on Monday, bringing with it all the ceremony, showmanship, display and carnival atmosphere residents have come to expect from the annual celebration. Thousands were in attendance for the event that began earlier in the week and ended Sunday with the traditional demolition derby finale.

Letters to the Editor - Sept. 4

Demo Derby demolishes competitors

PLAINS – Dirt and gravel chunks flew as cars geared up and revved their engines in the ultimate battle of adrenaline and destruction.