Deputy Balenger incident files released

After a nine-month paid leave that began on Oct. 3, during which $44,849.54 in public funds were used to pay for the salary of Mineral County Deputy Jim Balenger as well as insurance, taxes and other costs and Montana Department of Criminal Investigations Agent Kevin McCarvel conducted an investigation at the request of County Attorney Marcia Boris, Dept. Balenger returned to active duty.

Car accident on Lower Lynch causes fire

PLAINS – On Wednesday, August 28, a vehicle on Lower Lynch Creek Road swerved off the road, hit a tree and ignited a fire.

Hot Springs Savage Heat have first practice of the season

The Hot Springs Savage Heat had their first practice of the season on Monday as athletes and coaches gathered on the gridiron behind the high school. About 20 players attended the practice designed to provide coaches with an early look at what they will have to work with during the 2013-2014 season.

Plains schools host successful open house

PLAINS – Eager children and parents filled the hallways of the Plains schools, foreshadowing the beginning of school on Monday, August 26 for the annual Plains School Open House.

Dept. Balenger asks for executive session

Deputy Jim Balenger was at the Friday meeting of the Mineral County Commissioners for an agenda item labeled “MCSO Budget Review and Brady Disclosure Discussion.”

Kendall Alyce Spurr

PLAINS - Kendall Alyce Spurr was born on July 30, 2013 at Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains. She weighed seven pounds and 8.5 ounces. Her parents are Whitney Tanner-Spurr and Steve Spurr. Maternal grandparents are Marvin and Margo Tanner. Paternal grandparents are Rob and Lisa Spurr and Cammie and Jim Hawkins. Great grandparents are Lois Tanner and Norma and Betty Spurr.

MCSO Deputy Balenger back on duty

Mineral County Deputy Jim Balenger has returned to active duty for MCSO following a paid administrative leave that began Oct. 3, 2012. During that time period, the Montana Department of Criminal Investigations conducted an investigation into unknown allegations regarding Deputy Balenger.

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.

Summer camp enriches lives in Hot Springs

HOT SPRINGS- Participants in the 2013 Hot Springs Summer Arts Camp demonstrated what they had learned in the previous two weeks during a show and exhibition at the senior center on Friday. Visual arts were on display as about a hundred audience members filed into the facility to watch a presentation by the performing arts students.

Bobcats wrap up summer league

SUPERIOR - The Superior Lady Bobcats played more summer league basketball games the Head Coach Jeff Schultz has ever scheduled this year and in those 37 games the team has grown and matured to a point the coach doesn’t even recognize his team anymore.

Cooling off - by Colin Murphey

Jim and Jean Murphy's springer spaniel Hunter retrieves a stick from the Noxon Reservoir.

Arts camp provides creative outlet for youth

HOT SPRINGS- The Hot Springs Artists Society is holding its annual two-week summer arts camp for young people to learn visual and performing arts. The camp is divided into two sections, one for visual arts such as painting and the other for performing arts such as theater.

Evert Miller Behmerwohld

Evert Miller Behmerwohld, born in Dilo, Montana on May 2, 1928 to Hones and Bertha (Hughes) Behmerwohld died July 14, 2013 at his home in Hot Springs, Montana. Evert wed the love of his life, Bettie McKinney on November 22, 1949. They were married for almost 50 years. He leaves behind three daughters, Linda and Jerry Reilly, Lola and Jim Mascorella and Leta Behmerwohld and Frank Owens, eight grandchildren, Chad and Sheri Reilly, Derek Mascorella, Aime’e Hanley, Brett and Jana Reilly, Layla and Gene Riffle, Ryan and Kerry Hanley, Lindsay Engel and Lacey Engel. He also leaves nine great grandsons, Logan Reilly, Dillon Riffle, Darian Reilly, Will Reilly, Easton Hanley, Justin Riffle, Evan Reilly, Ripken Hanley and Kamden Hanley. He is survived by three brothers, Harry Behmerwohld, Walt and Donna Behmerwohld and Manford and Marvel Tempero. He was preceded in death by his wife Bettie in 1999 and their youngest daughter Lana in 1995.

First Annual Western Montana Beard and Moustache Festival a success

The DeBorgia Historic Schoolhouse Foundation and co-producers O-Aces Restaurant and the Beer, Beard & ‘Stache Club of DeBorgia are pleased to announce the successful completion of the Western Montana Beard and Moustache Festival over the previous weekend of July 12-14.

West Mullan Fire reaches 700-acres

Residents of Superior gathered outside of the Mineral County Courthouse Monday night, where county and Forest Service officials briefed them on the current status of the West Mullan Fire.

Annual Poker Ride deemed successful

PLAINS – Forty-four riders took to a trail mapped out on Jones Ranch for the Wild Horse Plains chapter of the Back Country Horsemen’s 3rd annual Poker Ride.

Memorail attended by hundreds to honor victims

PLAINS- Hundreds of mourners from all over Sanders County and beyond gathered at the gym at Plains High School on Saturday to pay tribute and respects to three Plains residents who perished in a tragic car accident on Friday June 14.

School Board holds presentation on Common Core Implementation

PLAINS – Five concerned citizens attended the Plains School Board of Trustee meeting on Monday, June 17 to listen to the Common Core Standards presentation.

Letters to the editor - June 26

Margaret Morgan

Margaret Morgan, age 86 and longtime resident of Hot Springs, Montana passed peacefully away on June 12, 2013 with family by her side.