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.

New pastor settles in at Methodist Parish

Unless you are a member of the Mineral County United Methodist Parish, with churches in Alberton and Superior, you may not have known that they were without a pastor until last June.

Legals for January, 31 2024

Legals for January, 24 2024

Henderson patrols Forest Service land in two counties

As the law enforcement officer for the Forest Service covering Mineral and most of Sanders counties, Bobby Henderson is right where he wants to be.

Cold snap fuels Montana’s coal power debate

The record-breaking cold snap Montana saw this month brought days of below-zero temperatures across the state — and with them what major Montana utility NorthWestern Energy said was record-high electric demand from its customers.

Superior's Shawn Smalley oversees troopers in two counties

Unfortunately, the origin of the numbers 3-7-77 seen on the flight suits of the Montana Air National Guard and most notably, the shoulder patch on the Montana Highway Patrol uniforms is elusive.

Superior's Shawn Smalley oversees troopers in two counties

Unfortunately, the origin of the numbers 3-7-77 seen on the flight suits of the Montana Air National Guard and most notably, the shoulder patch on the Montana Highway Patrol uniforms is elusive.

Hayden Hanks named to Shrine Game roster

Working hard and being dedicated to your craft almost always comes with rewards.

Disabled American Veterans upgrades vehicle fleet

The need for public transportation in Mineral County is not going to go away. It grows annually, and with it, so do the services as best as they can.

CSKT members elect new Tribal Council

Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes members chose incumbent James “Bing” Matt as an at-large representative on the Tribal Council.

Legals for January, 3 2024

Legals for December, 27 2023

Sheriff Funke recaps first year on the job

Mineral County Sheriff Ryan Funke was a keynote speaker at the Mineral County Central Republican Committee meeting last week.

Mysterious morel mushrooms at center of food poisoning outbreak

A food poisoning outbreak that killed two people and sickened 51, stemming from a Montana restaurant, has highlighted just how little is known about morel mushrooms and the risks in preparing the popular and expensive delicacy.

Founder of Salish Kootenai College remembered for contributions to community

Many flags across the Flathead Reservation are flying at half-mast this week in honor of Dr. Joe McDonald, a visionary educator and tribal leader who died last Thursday, Dec. 14. The founder of Salish Kootenai College was 92.

What’s next in the push to restore southern Montana’s passenger rail service

Last week the Federal Railroad Administration announced that it awarded a $500,000 grant to the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority to explore the feasibility of restoring passenger rail service along the North Coast Hiawatha route, which passed through many of Montana’s largest cities along its Chicago-to-Seattle route before the service was scrapped four decades ago.

A way to address high property taxes

I just read the editorial “Lets end the property tax blame game” by Kendall Cotton in which he begins by blaming local governments for property tax increases, echoing Gov. Greg Gianforte’s attack on greedy county governments.

Public Law 280: The path forward

“You have my commitment that – no matter what happens going forward – if you call 911, we're coming,” Lake County Sheriff Don Bell said during a crowded meeting at the Lake County Courthouse last Thursday.

Legals for December, 20 2023