Is anybody out there? Radio operators use field day to test equipment

Ham radio operators from around Western Montana spent last weekend practicing their trade during the 2024 American Radio Relay League Field Day in Thompson Falls Power Park.

Tim Read efficient, professional

I am forwarding this letter to lend my support to Tim Read. My family has on occasion used the services Mr. Read provides as the County Planner. Our interactions with Mr. Read have always been positive experiences and he has always performed his duties politely, efficiently and professionally.

When hiking or handling outdoor chores, beware of ticks

Karyn Thornton, a physician assistant with Mineral Community Hospital in Superior, said it is typical to start seeing tick bites in the emergency room about this time of year.

The price of power

Montana and the nation are at the crux of a changing energy future. What that future will look like depends on the choices we make now. These choices will require some tough decisions by both electricity consumers and the regulators of our utilities at the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC).  Regulated electric and gas utilities in Montana include Northwestern Energy (NWE) and Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU) in the eastern part of our state. Electric co-ops are not regulated by the PSC. The challenge for electricity providers and regulators is how to incorporate alternative forms of energy such as wind, biomass, solar and geothermal into our system as a long term investment towards clean energy and energy independence. As with most investments, the payoff comes over time, perhaps even over a lifetime. Judith Gap, Montana’s first wind farm, came on line in 2006, and customers are already seeing the benefits. The 135MW facility supplies 8% of NWE’s energy needs at a cost of about $40/MWH, considerably less than the cost of electricity produced at the coal fired power plant in Coalstrip ($54/MWH).

EPA speaks about water fears

Despite their best appeals to justify the clean-up of the Milltown Dam and its release of sediment, the Environmental Protection Agency wasn't able to placate Thompson Falls residents angry at higher levels of arsenic in the Clark Fork River.

Groups meet to review cleanup

The commissioners met with representatives involved in the EPA’s cleanup of Superior last month and decided that sometime this spring, in March or April, a meeting with the public would be held to go over what’s been accomplished, results and what still needs to be completed.

Revised compact deserves support of legislature

By Scott Reichner

Patrick's Knob fire tower a relic of the pioneer days

Ken Richardson’s day starts at sunrise in the Patrick’s Knob fire lookout and ends at sunset.

EPA starts testing at Smurfit Stone Mill

On November 12, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced in a press release that there is a final agreement to investigate contamination at the Smurfit Stone Mill Superfund site, located near Frenchtown.  

Fire danger is low now, but expected to rise in August

The Superior Ranger District saw a cooler and wetter than average late spring and early summer. This has led to a current decrease in fire danger; however, Western Montana expects to see an increased fire potential for August and September.

St. Regis FFA attends expo in Bozeman

Future Farmers of America, or FFA, held their annual statewide expo in Bozeman on November 11 through the 14. Members from over 50 chapters attended the John Deere Expo, where students interested in agriculture and leadership met for four days to compete, and get to know each other.

Navy makes donation to Alberton physics class

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.

A labor of love for St. Regis Lab breeders

There’s nothing quite like the smell of puppy breath in the morning; well, that and coffee.

DNRC trains personnel on helicopter tactics

Department of Natural Resources and Conservation firefighters from around the region gathered outside Plains on Thursday to train with a helicopter crew from Kalispell. Firefighters were taught the proper methods for attaching equipment to the helicopter as well as radio protocol for calling in a water drop.

Bowhunting instructor honored for service

MINERAL COUNTY – Approximately 20 years ago, John Benda of Superior began volunteering his time to teach people everything from proper bowhunting methods to archer safety for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Superior pool to stay closed; repair costs studied

The Superior swimming pool is in bad shape and the Town Council recently voted to keep the pool closedl until testing can be done to determine whether it can be sufficiently repaired. During the Dec. 11 Superior Town Council meeting, Public Works Supervisor Roger Wasley explained that over 2 million gallons of water was added over the 10 weeks the pool was open last summer.

Clark Fork Valley Hospital CEO urges continued diligence

Despite the fact Sanders County hasn’t had one positive COVID-19 case, health care professionals are urging continued diligence.

'Hairy, Scary Science' was presented

For several months a couple people have deluged newspaper readers with more than 4,900 words about global warming.

Forest Service keeps up on avalanche data

The hundreds of backcountry skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers and hikers that enjoy the excellent snow and beautiful scenery that the Lookout Pass area has to offer, rely heavily on online avalanche information. For that, they have two Forest Service employees to thank.