Hot Springs loses to Plains in district challenge game

The Plains basketball team had more on its mind than just winning and advancing to divisional when they played their arch rival Hot Springs team in the Western Class-C Challenge Game Monday night at the Ronan High School Events Center.

Upcoming pesticide training and certification courses

In Montana, the State Department of Agriculture issues private pesticide applicator’s licenses for people interested in purchasing and applying restricted-use pesticides to property they rent, own or lease; or applying general-use pesticides on lands of their immediate neighbors. Pesticide is a collective term including herbicides, insecticides and rodenticides. MSU Extension coordinates the educational component of the licensing process. Commonly applied restricted use products include the herbicide Tordon 22k and strychnine baits used for northern pocket gopher control.

Blow smoke somewhere else

All I have been hearing these days is how bad the economy is and how the political runners are going to change it. Yet I get these big cards in the mail (all the time) wanting me to vote for this person and that person. How many of us really read these giant postcards! I wonder how many thousands of dollars goes into taking the pictures that appear on them,printing them and mass mailing them. How many kids could have been sent to college with that money? Most of us already know who we are going to vote for. I hear Oprah spouting off about how terrible it is to be paying for the war we are in. Yet she and others totally endorsed Obama, Clinton or McCain,with no problem on the MILLIONS they each spent on the campaigns! It was reported that in January and February of this year Obama and Clinton raise $52 million dollars for their campains not a cent was spent on anything but giant postcards — TV ad after TV ad telling us nothing new — and air flight to there and here — and a fancy scarf or two or a tie that had the right look for the right state. If anything we should be shouting to those that are running for office — “why don’t you make a change while you are in the running?” I know, how about this: the one to get his or her platform accross the cheapest wins a chance to spend the money that they saved on someone who needs it. Believe me there is nothing that feels better then to know you have just blessed someone.

Elevate Coalition brings together youth

On Sunday, April 12th, Elevate students from all corners of Mineral and Sanders counties met in Plains to talk about the role they play in reducing the underage use of drugs and alcohol in rural Montana. Student leaders participated in collaborative efforts to identify social norms and root causes in their communities. These students also made new and meaningful relationships with each other. Noxon, Superior, St. Regis, Alberton, Thompson Falls, and Plains were all schools present with at least one representative. Everyone shared creative and practical ideas, as well as personal stories about why they decided to join the Elevate Coalition. Another activity practiced was designing speeches to empower their peers to join the cause and jump “into the trenches and be on the front lines” as Superior student, Taryn Ververis said. Most of these leaders said that they find enjoyment and have fun being a positive influence and making change in their hometowns. Noxon student, Asiah Jensen, told coalition members, “to be a positive voice.”

A Montanan's view of a kibitzer: Fake guns in the hands of greenhorns

Reading last week’s (Nov. 27) Independent, On page 6 they have a new news creative writer. Did the Independent make a mistake? Yes.

Western Montana lions offer unique hunting experience

High in the snow-covered mountains along the I-90 corridor houndsmen across Mineral County run Forest Service roads with hunting partners and their dogs, scanning for mountain lion tracks and ready to set their canines loose on a fresh cat trail.

Superior pool capital campaign making a splash

When the Superior swimming pool closed a few years ago due to the cost of upkeep and needed expensive repairs, the community lost an icon. It was built in the early 60s and was a shining star, especially with longtime residents.

County cuts budget

Mineral County Commissioners signed into effect a new budget Wednesday that cut hundreds of thousands of dollars from the county’s budget.

Public takes part in revision of Lolo Forest plan

The Wildland Urban Interface is the lands that are in proximity to structures as mapped by County Wildfire Protection Plans. It is the culmination point where state, federal and local land management plans and programs must merge in an equitable and functional manner.

The 59th Homesteader Days hits Hot Springs

The 59th Annual Homesteader Days went off without a hitch, according to event organizer Leslee Smith.

Local athlete named All-State First Baseman

PLAINS – After dedicating his entire summer to baseball – living and breathing the sport, a local Plains athlete now has the title to show that his hard work paid off.

Mineral County Community Calendar - June 12, 2013

Mineral County Relay for Life

Lily Gladstone eyes the future after breakout role on Scorsese epic 'Killers of the Flower Moon'

Last February, Rene Haynes was standing in line at a Los Angeles Costco when her phone buzzed. She didn’t recognize the number, but as a Hollywood casting director, she’s used to urgent calls from strange numbers at all hours of the day. This one was from a fellow casting director, Mark Bennett. He was looking for Native actors to audition for a lead role in an independent film set in Montana.

March Madness

Hot Springs hosts Tom Ferrier Memorial Basketball Tournament Hot Springs Sports

It's March Madness and if you missed the basketball mayhem this weekend then you were one of the unlucky ones. This past weekend was filled with jaw-dropping moves, surprises and upsets and close championship games, and this has nothing to do college basketball.

Compact settlement delivers $157 million to CSKT

In a press release last week the Department of the Interior announced the release of nearly $580 million to continue fulfilling settlements of Indian water rights claims.

Tough week for Hawks softball

The Thompson Falls Lady Hawks softball team could hope a dose of home cooking would help bring them out of a three-game scoring slump when they took on Sanders County rival Plains this past Monday afternoon.

Local campgrounds fill up as summer arrives

Having a camper, trailer, RV or motorhome has always given people freedom to go when they want and stay where they want to, up until the summer of 2023.

Claws out at election

Before I even speak to Nancy Beech, I’d like to take a moment to respond to G. Stone’s public attack on her. While checking community bulletin boards for garage sales, I found Mr. Stone’s very angry letters all over town, questioning Nancy Beech’s ability to be a County Commissioner. Apparently, his issue was that he was not happy with a sprinkler system her company had installed at his home “several years ago.” Recently, at his request, she sent her employee to troubleshoot a problem, parts were needed, and it has been a week and Mr. Stone hasn’t heard back from Nancy. Although I believe totally in everyone’s right of free speech, I feel strongly that this is not the right forum for Mr. Stone’s business complaint and political comments. How about using the Better Business Bureau and the candidate’s public meetings?

Food for Thought: Which angry face do you wear?

Many of us have been taught that anger is bad and that it should not be expressed. It is true that violent and aggressive expressions of anger are dangerous and destructive.

UM study: Montanans share common love toward grizzly bears

For an animal whose population barely tops 2,000, Montana’s grizzly bears hold an outsized presence in the psyche and politics of the Treasure State.