Food for Thought: How will you impact someone's life today?

As coronavirus cases continue to increase in Montana many people are becoming impatient, less tolerant, unkind, and in some times rude. For the most part this is due to their overwhelming frustration, a change in their lifestyle, limiting activities they are used to doing, financial stress, high anxiety and uncertainty.

Area schools taking Covid-19 precautions; mask protest held in Alberton

In Sanders County, it had three new ones on Sept. 9 and three on Sept, 8. Overall, Sanders has a total of 831 total and 45 active.

County health center bites down on oral health

SUPERIOR – The Mineral Regional Health Center will provide an opportunity for uninsured children to get free dental screening at a special clinic being held on Thursday, March 6. The clinic is being put on by MRHC and Partnership Health Center, out of Missoula. The operation will be set up in the MRHC basement, where the Mineral County Health Department is located. A mobile clinic will come from Missoula to perform the exams. PHC is expected to bring a dentist and two assistants to treat patients. According to Kristi Scott, outreach and enrollment coordinator at MRHC, the dentists will do exams, screenings and minor fillings on site. Patients will be referred to other dentists for more serious work if needed. If the health center cannot fill all the appointments with uninsured kids, Scott plans to open the clinic to kids who have insurance. If they still do not have enough, adults will be welcome to the clinic. “We’re focusing on uninsured children who have no coverage,” Scott said. “I’m really excited about [the event]. I think we’re trying to target patients, children who may not have access to dental treatment otherwise.” Because the clinic is being offered for free, MRHC was unable to work with local dentists to provide the exams. Scott explained a dentist’s office would not be able to do the work for free. The clinic will refer patients to local dentists for more in-depth care. “It’s really a great partnership that we’re trying to build,” Scott said. “We’re not taking business away from [Dr. Ordelheide]. What we’re really trying to do is help him build his business, his patient count.” With the changes being made at MRHC, it was decided these sorts of services would be good for the health center. Interim Chief Executive Officer Cindy Stergar decided they should try it out and began talking with PHC to arrange the clinic. Scott recently went to a similar clinic in Seeley Lake to get a better idea of how everything worked. She felt the trip was helpful as it gave her a better idea of what the MRHC event would need to do. “I feel really good, I think it’s going over really well,” Scott said. “It was great because I was able to ask questions about [everything].” Some of the information she gathered included how much time the dentists would need with each patient. Slots for the clinic are limited. Because of how new the program is, Scott wanted to keep it small. In this first clinic the dentists will only see seven or eight patients. The health center hopes to hold more of these clinics as time goes on. Scott said they would consider how well the event worked and how it was received. More clinics may be offered in the future. If this happens they might have more room for appointments. Scott’s initial talks with Stergar about future clinics have been promising. There has been some talk about making it a quarterly event but no decisions have been made. “This is really a test run for us,” Scott said. “It’s exciting for us to get this off the ground. Our ultimate goal is making sure everyone in the community has access to quality health care. This is one more service we want to provide.” More information about the clinics can be found by contacting Scott at 822-7134.

Patricia "Pat" Bell Crismore

Patricia “Pat” Bell Crismore, born June 11, 1940, in Coeur d’alene, Idaho, left us Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021.

Public land priorities shaping up

Montana’s study of federally managed public lands is set to wrap up within the next few weeks. Reducing catastrophic wildfire conditions, protecting multiple use access, and increasing economic productivity are the most serious priorities I see emerging from our effort.

Rediscovering home: Elk populations

Throughout the 45 years I was away from my hometown, I returned a couple times a year to visit mother. Elk appeared to be more prevalent with each passing year as I visited the various drainages.

Montana drops 'bad actor' case against Hecla Mining Co.

The decision prompted conservation groups involved in the case to allege political interference by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte.

Legals for June, 5 2024

Legals for June, 5 2024

Body scanners installed at Mineral County Detention Center

Body searches, also known as strip searches, are generally frowned upon when a person is taken into custody by law enforcement.

Lolo Forest hosts public meetings on plan revision

The Lolo National Forest will hold public meetings this month on its Forest Plan revision.

4-H youth demonstrate talents and aplomb

The annual 4-H Communication Days kicked off last weekend in Thompson Falls and Hot Springs.

Tri-State Veterans Standown prepares to take over

PLAINS - The Tri-State Veterans Standown will take over the fairgrounds this weekend, gearing up thousands of veterans with surplus gear, food and medical checkups.

Food for thought: How to develop your personal negotiation skills

Negotiating skills can help you manage different kinds of life situations, both at work and in your personal relationships.  Many family situations require negotiating with others.  Deciding which movie to see, planning how to spend money, choosing a vacation spot, and many other decisions work best when you have these skills.  Being a good negotiator enables you to get what you want more often without resorting to becoming aggressive or pushy.  Negotiating with others is more effective than simply demanding what you want or just caving in.   These skills enable you to stand up for yourself and get what you want more often without harming relationships with bosses and coworkers.  Negotiating a fair solution makes you feel good about yourself and increases people’s respect for you.

Alberton teams gear up for 2014-15 season

ALBERTON – The Alberton High School football and volleyball teams are ready to make waves in Mineral County this year and the teams will need every tool at their disposal as both begin the season with a hurdle to face.

4-H competition begins at Hot Springs

For members of 4-H in Sanders County, Sunday marked the final hurdle in a long climb to prepare for the 4-H demonstration competition

Compliance checks

The DUI Task Force conducted their first round of compliance checks for the year. All vendors passed the test.

Dealing with Chinese economic coercion

What are gallium and geranium? Earlier this month China announced that effective Aug. 1, it will put export bans on these two seemingly obscure metals.

Sanders County 911 launches text-to-911 option

Most citizens in Sanders County can now send a short message service (SMS) text message to 911 for emergency help when unable to make a 911 voice call. This new public safety service has been brought to Sanders County by PSAP Manager Shawna Chenoweth and is available to wireless customers of T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon Wireless cell phones.

Biologist reports no cases of CWD found in Region 2

Last Tuesday, the Mineral County Resource Coalition met in the county commissioners room and attendance was light. So light that there wasn’t a quorum, but the agenda moved forward.