Mineral County brainstorms ideas for community center

After a survey conducted by the Mineral County Health Department showed that the number one desire for the county was a community center, officials began discussing the idea of building one. Mineral County officials met in the packed Senior Center in Superior on Thursday, May 9 to brainstorm ideas to build a community center. Superior Schools Superintendent Scott Kinney originally came up with the idea because he wants to relocate the wrestlers to different area to practice, but he has nowhere to send them. They currently train in the multi-purpose room where there is stage and sound equipment. “It truly is a multipurpose room,” Kinney said. He says the room gets beat up from the wrestlers and would like to see a new facility for the wrestlers and to also be used for the community. This triggered conversations with County Commissioner Roman Zylawy, who also believes the county should create a new, multiuse facility or a community center. The current 4H building, or Quonset hut, has seen a crumbling roof, plumbing and structural issues since its erection more than 60 years ago. “You just about have to turn sideways to get in the bathroom,” District Ranger Carole Johnson said. 4H activities could relocate to a new building, which could also be used for shooting sports, a performing arts center and a senior center. “The current building gets used almost every day,” Johnson said. It is already used for family reunions, receptions and 4H activities, however the Quonset hut has seen better days. Jim Goss, who represents several Mineral County nonprofits would like to see a new facility to host Mineral County Performing Arts Council (MCPAC) concerts. The LDS Church currently hosts concerts for MCPAC, but Goss would like to see a separate venue. Goss would also like to see the current Senior Center relocated to the potential community center. “The facility is showing its age and the kitchen is way too small,” Goss said. A commercial kitchen and larger space would better accommodate the county’s aging population. Goss says senior centers are compelling to grants and could help with applications. But none of this can happen without funding. That’s why Zylawy has researched the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), a program that provides communities with affordable housing and community development.

Walk the Plank Event raises $4,800 for Superior pool reconstruction

Snow and wind didn’t stop Mineral County residents from “walking the plank” into freezing water to raise money for a new pool in Superior on Sunday, April 28. The Mineral County Community Foundation (MCCF) raised $4,800 during their Walk the Plank fundraiser at Eva Horning Park. The funds will benefit reconstructing Superior’s 60-year-old-public pool, which closed in summer 2018 due to leaks. The MCCF formed a subcommittee called Pool for the Park last summer after the pool closed. “We expect the total cost of the project to be at least $1.5 million, but we won’t know the exact number until we get a firm cost estimate,” committee member Angie Hopwood said. After the Walk the Plank fundraiser, the committee has raised a total of $40,000. The fundraiser events included walking the plank into a kiddie pool, a bake sale, face painting and other games for the public to enjoy. Participants received a free T-shirt if they raised $100, and are encouraged to get sponsors and challenge others to raise money. Superior Color and Lumber donated materials and volunteers helped out at the fundraiser. Hopwood says raising money for the pool is their main goal, but they also want to create more events like this for the community to enjoy. “We’re trying to bring up our community a little bit,” Hopwood said. The committee has already completed Phase I, where the goal was raising enough money to hire an architect and they are now in Phase II, meaning the committee can apply for grants. MCCF hopes to complete pool construction in Phase III by 2023. “We’re optimistic,” Hopwood said. The next fundraiser will be Bingo and BBQ on Friday, June 7 at Superior Elementary School.

Detention Center's future remains a mystery

Mineral County officials met once again on Friday, April 26 to discuss the the Mineral County Detention Center’s fate — following its closure in February due to a detention officer shortage. The jail’s future remains a mystery; however, officials are getting closer to a decision, which could mean finally having the ability to hire the minimum number of officers. Other alternatives include using the jail as overflow for Lake County inmates or leasing the facility to Community, Counseling and Correctional Services, Incorporated (CCCS), a private, non-profit jail corporation. Staffing officers for the 28-bed jail is the county’s ideal option to reopen the facility but finding eligible applicants and retaining them is a problem. There are currently four eligible applicants to begin the hiring process, however they have not gone through a background check or an interview. The detention center also doesn’t have a supervisor at this time. “I don’t want to start hiring people if we don’t have supervisor,” County Commissioner Laurie Johnston said. “But you can’t open a jail without detention officers.” Officials discussed starting the initial process, meaning they could interview potential officers but couldn’t guarantee them a job. “I don’t want to put somebody in there dealing with inmates if they don’t know what they’re doing”, said Johnston. County Attorney Ellen Donohue suggested waiting to hire a supervisor, but potential detention officers won’t have a job until there’s a supervisor. “It’s a ripple effect,” Donohue said. If the county finds their five minimum detention officers, the budget becomes an increasing issue because Missoula detention officers would need to train new officers. “I don’t have it in my budget,” Sheriff Mike Boone said. “Their detention officers are making $36 an hour.”

Kindergarten Roundup 'eye opener' for youngsters

Some approached with circumspection, others with confidence or curiosity.

Thilmony wins title at Montana Open at MetraPark

It would be proper to call it a “bookend” season for Thompson Falls freshman Trae Thilmony on the wrestling mat.

Plains golfers improving with every stroke of ball

Plains High School will be about as “green” as the grass on which they play for the 2019 golf season.

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.

Where is the Taft cemetery?

Boom town supported railroad in early 1900s

“Bullet, belt buckle, button,” the metal detector’s screen reads various items buried some seven feet beneath the earth. Forest Service Archeologist Erika Karuzas continues to wave the detector over an area that most believe is the location of an old cemetery. Located on a hillside covered with 100-year-old lodge pole pine overlooking Interstate 90.

A lesson from Montana: 'Manners make things easier for everybody'

I was thinking this morning of the shrill sounds, threats, and recriminations coming out of our nation’s capital. For some reason, perhaps because of the contrast, it reminded me of a meeting that occurred outside of Dillon, Mont., in 2007.

Plains/Hot Springs brings seasoned team with lots of depth to diamond

When divisional tournament time rolls around the first weekend of May, probably no one will want to face the Plains/Hot Springs softball team.

Brubaker, VanVleet, Weltzes lead Noxon

Four returning state qualifiers, including a defending champion, lead Noxon into the 2019 track and field season, which opens Saturday at the Eureka Invitational. Events begin at 10 a.m., weather permitting.

19 MC students head to BPA nationals

Mineral County Business Professionals of America (BPA) students returned from the annual State Leadership Conference where 14 students placed. Eleven students from St. Regis and eight from Superior will continue on to the National Leadership Conference (NLC) in Anaheim, Calif., set for May 1-5.

Superior High students in Italy visiting Rome

Jeff Schultz had always wanted to do some international travel. But between college football, marriage and children, he never had the opportunity. At least not until now.

Statewide campaign fights tobacco and e-cigarettes

Ronnie Trentham stood in front of a gym full of junior high and high school students and explained why he no longer has a jaw bone. His face now deformed as a result of oral cancer caused by using chewing tobacco. It was a part of “Kick Butts Day,” a nationwide event to raise awareness on the problems caused by tobacco use.

Legislative Report

We still have a few house bills that will be worked across to the Senate soon. The committee meetings have been going late to take care of business. There will still be a few bills dropped in the house hopper before the deadline.

Skatepark and more planned for Alberton

Ever since 2016, members of the PEAK Foundation in Alberton have dreamt of renovating the town park. Now, their dream will come true with an official ground breaking in early June. Armed with a $10,000 grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation, the money can be added to the pot to fund the project. Once they reach $150,000, Montana State Parks will match that amount dollar-for-dollar to complete the $300,000 renovation.

Mission Valley All-Stars rock the court; Light overshadows Dark

At the Ronan Events Center this past Thursday, area basketball players put an exclamation point on their hoops season with a pair of evenly matched Mission Valley All-Star Games.

Homicide suspect was ex-girlfriend, mother of victim's child

The Polson woman accused of murdering Thompson Falls resident Matthew George LaFriniere in May 2018 was LaFriniere’s ex-girlfriend and had a child with him, according to charging documents filed last week in Sanders County District Court.

Thompson Falls Council votes 3-2 to create two new sewer districts

Plains and Paradise are not the only Sanders County towns with sewer and water treatment plant woes. Thompson Falls is going through its own throes.

Superior student wins Keep Montana Green poster contest

Every year the Keep Montana Green Association holds a poster art contest and this year, Superior School’s Abigail Wheeler was the regional winner. She won in the intermediate division which is grades 4 through 6 for her poster.