MDT proposes rehabilitation of bridge near Trout Creek on Hwy 200

TROUT CREEK - The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) would like to notify the public and seek comments on a proposal to rehabilitate the bridge over the Clark Fork River on Highway 200 located approximately one mile northwest of Trout Creek in Sanders County. The project begins at the intersection of Highway 200 and Blue Slide Road, reference post 27.9 and extends east for approximately 0.5 miles ending near reference post 28.4.

Dancers perform at PHS

PLAINS – The Sanders County Arts Council put on a dance event at the Plains High School gymnasium on Wednesday to integrate dance and curriculum based on science and Native Americans.

Suicide rate high in state

MINERAL/SANDERS COUNTY – According to statistics provided by Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Suicide Prevention Coordinator Karl Rosston, Montana consistently has one of the highest rates of suicide per capita in the country.

MEGA Sports Camp teaches kids about life

PLAINS- MEGA Sports Camp descended on Plains on Monday providing area youngsters the opportunity to hone their skills in a variety of sports. The church led camp uses sports to teach kids in first through sixth grade about character development.

No, it is not only men who are controlling

I am addressing the response to the letter about domestic violence in a February issue of The Valley Press. Of course it is not only men who are controlling and abusive. Statistics indicate that women are the abusers in about 5 percent of all cases. Exact stats can be obtained from the local organization you refer to SCCFF, as well as NOW (National Organization for Women) to name only two. Any mental health facility can provide those statistics, as can law enforcement agencies. One could argue that because 5 percent of abusers are in fact women, both genders should be referenced when discussing the issue of domestic violence.

Superior resident wins library scholarship

The Montana State Library is pleased to announce that 17 Montana residents will receive full scholarships to pursue either a master's degree in library and information science or school library media endorsement credentials.

Wildfire season begins in Western Montana

The time for controlled burning has passed; the time to control unwanted fires has begun.

Man accused of assaulting boy at rodeo

Suspect released from custody; case gains national attention

A 39-year-old Superior man was charged with assaulting a minor at the Mineral County Fair in Superior on Saturday, Aug. 3, according to court documents.

Milder winter means more promise for elk, deer

Just because the 2020 U.S. Census was on ice waiting out the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order doesn’t mean ‘individuals’ are not being counted.

Recycling bin and Cleanup Days offered in St. Regis

St. Regis Resort District is making the town a little greener this year by bringing a recycling bin for residents to use, free of charge. With funds provided by the 3 percent luxury tax, the group will pay the $500 per “pull” of the bin which is usually about once per month.

Public Law 280 hearing draws some opposition

Two men who said they were members of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes spoke Friday in opposition to two bills aiming to shift financial responsibility of overseeing felony offenses in the Flathead Reservation to the state.

Witnesses, evidence weighed as Guill pre-trial scramble begins

Sanders County residents Douglas and Nicole Guill, accused of years of confining and sexually abusing Douglas Guill's daughter, appeared in Lake County District Court last Wednesday with their attorneys to hammer out some of the last procedural roadblocks between Douglas Guill and his week-long trial, scheduled to begin March 3.

Students learn river rescue skills on Alberton Gorge

On an unusually warm, 70-degree spring day in early May, around 20 students clad in wetsuits and drysuits willingly submerged into the still freezing Alberton Gorge on the Clark Fork River. With waters already past flood stage at 20,000 cubic feet per second — a unit used to determine river flow — students enrolled in the Swiftwater Rescue Technician course had the perfect opportunity to learn river rescue skills at challenging water levels.

College Application Week gears students toward future

THOMPSON FALLS – The Thompson Falls High School participated in College Application Week last Wednesday, with 93 percent of the students filling out at least one college application.

Cut-A-Thon raises over $600

PLAINS – With the new school year right around the corner, those who were in need of a professional haircut made their way to the Plains school for not only a new look, but to also help a good cause.

Firefighter shatters record

An important training milestone for a firefighter is completion of the Firefighter One course. This course includes a combination of physical skills and technical knowledge. One of the most physically rigorous ways to obtain Firefighter One certification is to attend a training academy put on by the Montana State University Fire Service Training School in Great Falls. This approach requires the candidate to engage in difficult physical activities such as second floor rescues and pitched roof ventilation in full gear including air packs. Unlike local training this process occurs over nine successive days.

Shutdown closes forest service

SUPERIOR – The Mineral County branch of the forest service in Superior is closed for the foreseeable future as a result of the federal government shutdown earlier this month.

Observations on the election of county attorney

I would like to offer some observations regarding the recent election of our County Attorney. It has been my privilege to live in Mineral County for 42 years, and to practice law here for 35 years. This encompasses the 31 years that Shaun Donovan has served as County Attorney. For many years, since I was the only other resident attorney in the area,  I accepted a multitude of court appointments in criminal, juvenile and abuse and neglect cases. I have also dealt with Shaun on civil matters such as land use and school issues.

After the Restoration

Wickum labored a year to restore this century-old sleigh using a book as a reference. He plans to deliver Santa to the annual Sanders County Fairgrounds Christmas Light Show with one of his horses pulling it. 

Rowan sworn in as Plains mayor

Dan Rowan was sworn in Thursday in a fairly hastily arranged ceremony to begin serving a second, four-year-term as Mayor of the Town of Plains.