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).

I-90 resurfacing work planned in 2024

The Montana Department of Transportation is interested in what the public has to say about a proposal to resurface two segments of Interstate 90 near St. Regis and Superior.

Burn permits required May 1

Beginning May 1, and continuing until conditions are no longer favorable for safe burning, permits are required to burn yard debris or logging slash.

Robots

Hunter Lloyd, far right, performs his robotic comedy routine with a message for the St. Regis schools last week.

Hawaiian family fun night 2

Trout Creek students follow the lead of Darlin Arnold (far right) as they dance the Hukilau.

Thousands of bargain hunters attend St. Regis Flea Market

Once again people descended on the St. Regis Community Park to enjoy three days of bargain hunting as the Annual St. Regis Flea Market went into full swing. This event, called Montana’s largest flea market, brings in approximately four thousand people, said one of the coordinators, Anita Bailey.

A look back at 2015

Trotters win big

The match between the Plains Trotters and the Hot Springs Lady Savage Heat Friday night was a night of both celebration and defeat. The final score was Plains with 57, Hot Springs with 17.

Farmers have decisions to make

By Bruce Nelson

UM Library makes historic aerial photos available online

Some of the state’s earliest known aerial photography now is available online courtesy of the University of Montana Mansfield Library.

Thorne Creek Fire official lost her home in Colorado blaze

Olson is also the assistant fire chief in Grand Lake, Colorado, which has approximately 30 volunteers and 5 full time employees.

Lady Bobcats

The Lady Bobcats are 7-5 so far on the season. Marissa Koke goes for a layup during practice earlier in the year.

Letters

Fraud, not assault

Savage Heat

Trevor Paro (far right) hands off the baton to a teammate during last week's state meet in Laurel.

Plains Trotters

Plains senior Hailey Phillips (far right) competes last week at the Western B Divisional Meet at Dornblaser Field in Missoula.

Green Ribbon Award goes to Superior School

When Dawn Bauer saw the qualifications to become a Green Ribbon School she didn’t have to look far to see that Superior had all the right stuff.

COLUMN: Cornhole scholarships?

It’s hard to get me to say “I can’t believe that” in today’s world.

Fresh blood for Heat

Jamie Doran

Elk and deer harvests for local region are up from past seasons

Mineral Independent

St. Regis Lady Tigers earn 2 wins

In the ultra-competitive Western 14C volleyball conference, wins can be hard to get.