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?

'Spa City' celebrates its roots at Homesteader Days

If the 2023 version of Homesteader Days, the annual celebration of Hot Springs, its history and the surrounding area, is any indication, it would be fair to say those homesteaders knew how to kick up their heels and have a good time.

Bison restoration to focus on expanding tribal herds

U.S. officials will work to restore more large bison herds to Native American lands under a Friday order from Interior Secretary Deb Haaland that calls for the government to tap into Indigenous knowledge in its efforts to conserve the burly animals that are an icon of the American West.

Thankful to Republicans

Once the Republicans told us’Ķ’ÄùIt’Äôs morning again in America.’Äù

Thompson Falls Trap Club experiences 'youth movement'

Thompson Falls Trap Club President Digger Powell noticed an existing pattern that started to take shape with the Thompson Falls and Noxon Trap Clubs.

Bruce Frye Memorial draws bevy of shooters

Once again the sun shone down on the Plains Trap Club for the annual Bruce Frye Memorial ATA Shoot.

ACEs changing the way people think about child abuse

Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs, take many forms regarding child abuse. Abuse can be categorized as physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. It can take place through the hands of a parent, a sibling, a caregiver or another person in a custodial role including clergy, coaches and teachers.

It takes a village

SANDERS COUNTY – The citizens of Sanders County came together with law enforcement on Saturday for a cause bigger than them all.

Hot Springs school board fight poor performance

Eighth grader hits the varsity court early

ALBERTON – The varsity team is the big leagues, where the big games are played and athletes get their last chance at victory in high school sports. For 13-year-old Creighton Callison, it is the starting point of his high school athletic career. Callison is an eighth grader in the Alberton Public School’s junior high program. He joined the junior high basketball team and was brought up to the varsity team with kids as much as four to five years older than him. This was done to expand the team. This season the Panthers did not have enough kids join to give them a healthy team. While there were enough players to fill the varsity team they had no replacements. Any injuries or exhaustion would have devastated their ability to play. The school also wanted to field a junior varsity team. This is where the eighth graders come in. Alberton petitioned the Montana High School Association for a waiver to bring eighth graders onto the varsity team. The exception was allowed and the players were brought up. Callison and fellow eighth grader Kolton Hensleigh were selected to join the varsity basketball team. Fresh from the junior high season the two almost immediately began practice with their new team. “They were originally going to bring in all the eighth graders,” Callison said. “But a couple of them lived out of the district so they couldn’t and it was only me and [Hensleigh] that could.” The varsity team had recruited from the middle school before. As a result the junior high team was not too surprised when two of their members were promoted. What surprised them more about Callison’s selection was how he had beaten out four freshmen who were also under consideration for the spot. The experience was a challenge for the eighth graders as they played against athletes who were older, bigger and often had years more experience. It was a trial by fire and they had to adapt quickly to the new pace of the game. The year was fun for Callison. There was little concern about the size or speed differences he faced. The hardest part of the experience was getting used to the faster pace of the varsity games. Middle school games are half as long and have a slower pace of play. While Callison took to the new pace quickly in practice, it was three or four games before he got used to how varsity worked and was over the nerves. “It took [awhile] to kind of get used to the rhythm and stuff but with practices I was confident I was fine,” Callison said. Despite the initial reservations, Callison had a good season this year and brought in a number of points throughout the season. This was a surprise for him at the time because he did not think he would have been able to score against some of the seniors the team faced. The difficulties have not changed his feelings for the sport. Callison plans to try out for the basketball team when he enters high school as a freshman next year. He looks at this as a learning experience to prepare himself for what is to come as he enters his high school athletics career. “The year was mainly just about trying to learn what it’s like to play, so next year I’ll be ready for it,” Callison said.

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.

Cross country teams compete at Ronan Invitational

RONAN - Both Plains High School and Thompson Falls Cross Country teams participated at the Ronan Invitational this past Friday, September 13. Two runners from Hot Springs also competed in the tournament that was held at the Mission Mountain Country Club golf course.

Mineral Community Hospital receives new portable X-ray machine

Patients at Mineral Community Hospital will soon benefit from studies using the latest in X-ray technology made possible through a grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust’s Rural Healthcare Program.

Letters to the editor

What’s in a year?

Ornelas taking care of business

For eight weeks, Sheriff Ernie Ornelas has been heading up the Mineral County Sheriff’s Department. Of those eight weeks, he was gone for two weeks for trainings up in Helena.

Legals for July, 15 2020

Sanders, Mineral county golfers claim state medals

In Class B, Thompson Falls had two players - Megan Baxter and Ellie Baxter - place in the Top 10.

Noxon tracksters put in work as season begins

There’s a new competitor in Noxon these days, a high school baseball team. But the existing spring high school sports program is also still there.

Copperheads take one from Trotters

The unofficial score: Anaconda 1, Plains 0, Mother Nature, 1-1.

Raymond Leo Middleton, 76

Raymond Leo Middleton, 76