Charles E. "Chuckie" Clinkenbeard

Charles E. “Chuckie” Clinkenbeard passed away in the loving arms of his friends and family on Sunday, July 20, 2014 at St. Patrick Hospital, due to complications from sepsis.  Chuckie lived and loved in a way that made everyone he came in contact with feel blessed. The impact he had on those around him was immeasurable. He was not the kind of man to tell you what you wanted to hear, but what you needed to hear, yet in a way that left no sting because it was always backed by love. He was generous with his worldly belongings and his love, but most of all, he was generous with his time. Despite suffering enormous medical challenges, he never complained or felt sorry for himself. Instead, he focused on what he could do for others. This world was a better place with him in it.

COLUMN: That's a wrap for fall sports

Wow! Can it really be three sports seasons have sped by in my retirement days of writing for the Valley Press and Mineral Independent?

Santa comes to town

DEBORGIA – T’was two weeks before Christmas and DeBorgia began holiday festivities, even the smallest baby gave no cries. Then from outside came a siren’s wail to break the silence of the snow, and everyone ran outside to see what there was to know. Then the wondrous eyes saw where upon a fire truck he sat, Santa Claus with his bright red coat and hat.

Letters to the editor

What’s in a year?

City councils hold funds as county untangles Plains, Thompson Falls library levy payments

Levy funds are stuck in limbo while the county treasurer looks to correct a mistake that has complicated the finances for both Thompson Falls and Plains.

Plains Police Department seeks new patrol car

Plains Police Chief Shaun Emmett spoke to the town council at their recent meeting on the importance of the police department upgrading their vehicles.

Horsemen to continue season

Mineral County votes against non-partisan election measure

Local firefighters keep county safe

Most volunteer work does not require responding to 3 a.m. emergency phone calls or running towards a burning building. However, for the fire departments in Mineral County that is exactly the case.

Hot Springs gets second police officer

Protecting Hot Springs from crime is no longer a one-man show.

Officials finalize plans for Growth Policy update

Mineral County officials are close to finalizing plans to update the Growth Policy by the beginning of next month.

Pizza and air conditioners a part of Earth Day clean-up on Clark Fork River

Lots of cans, paper, and plastic is what students in Alberton found while picking up garbage in celebration of Earth Day last week.

Training covers drugs, choppers

SUPERIOR – With an ever-increasing drug problem in the county, Superior’s first responders were educated about different types of prescription drugs and were also given the chance to look over MedStar’s new helicopter.

Detention Center's future remains a mystery

Mineral County officials met once again on Friday, April 26 to discuss the the Mineral County Detention Center’s fate — following its closure in February due to a detention officer shortage. The jail’s future remains a mystery; however, officials are getting closer to a decision, which could mean finally having the ability to hire the minimum number of officers. Other alternatives include using the jail as overflow for Lake County inmates or leasing the facility to Community, Counseling and Correctional Services, Incorporated (CCCS), a private, non-profit jail corporation. Staffing officers for the 28-bed jail is the county’s ideal option to reopen the facility but finding eligible applicants and retaining them is a problem. There are currently four eligible applicants to begin the hiring process, however they have not gone through a background check or an interview. The detention center also doesn’t have a supervisor at this time. “I don’t want to start hiring people if we don’t have supervisor,” County Commissioner Laurie Johnston said. “But you can’t open a jail without detention officers.” Officials discussed starting the initial process, meaning they could interview potential officers but couldn’t guarantee them a job. “I don’t want to put somebody in there dealing with inmates if they don’t know what they’re doing”, said Johnston. County Attorney Ellen Donohue suggested waiting to hire a supervisor, but potential detention officers won’t have a job until there’s a supervisor. “It’s a ripple effect,” Donohue said. If the county finds their five minimum detention officers, the budget becomes an increasing issue because Missoula detention officers would need to train new officers. “I don’t have it in my budget,” Sheriff Mike Boone said. “Their detention officers are making $36 an hour.”

Living off the grid suits "Grizz" just fine

A while back when he was in town picking up a few things and having a beer at a local watering hole, Grizz was talking to a guy who was complaining about another power outage after a big snowstorm.

Jury finds Craig McCrea guilty of two counts of felony arson

During opening statements in the trial against accused arsonist Craig McCrea, Assistant Attorney General Thorin Geist told jurors what to expect from the prosecution as the trial unfolded this week at the Lake County Courthouse. After three days of testimony, they began deliberations around 11:30 a.m. Thursday, and emerged five hours later with a verdict of guilty on two of four charges of arson.

County resident accused of shooting father in Trout Creek

A Thompson Falls man is lodged in the Sanders County Jail after authorities say he tried to kill his father during a recent domestic incident.

Class to teach lessons in fowl

SUPERIOR - A class to take place before the Mineral County Fair which starts August 3 will be designed to educate the public about why they should take an interest in the care and raising of fowl.

Letters to the Editor; A couple of lessons

A COUPLE OF LESSONS

Mild winter has minimal effects of wildlife

It has been an unusual winter here in Sanders County and with only around six weeks of winter left the forecast seems to predict a continuous mild snow season with high temperatures leading into the spring season. What, then, does this mild winter mean for the wildlife in the area?