Thompson Falls woman honored by state

EMS for Children Pediatric EMS Award, Victoria Good, Thompson Falls Ambulance

Gas prices continue to stay low across the state

There has been a big collapse in the price of oil, from more than $100 a barrel in 2014 to just under $30 a barrel this week. According to industry analyst Trilby Lundberg, it’s the lowest it’s been in seven years.

Bowhunters need to be bear aware

A bowhunter needs to be sneaky, with “no-scent” on, and camouflaged to look like a bush. While that’s what it takes to get close enough for a good shot with a bow and arrow, that hunter is making it hard for a bear to notice him or her.

Superior couple loves the sailing life

In a sailboat, however, you become a much greater function in order to harness the energy that propels you forward.

Deer and elk harvest takes off for Region One

Deer harvest in northwest Montana is now ahead of last year at the same point in the season, according to check station results around Region One.

Legals June 28, 2017

REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT Sanders County is now reviewing a request for a floodplain development permit in the 100 year floodplain of the Clark Fork River. The project is for construction of a storage shed in the floodplain, located at 1500 River Rd. W., Section 30, T21N., R27W. Any person with questions, wanting further information or wishing to submit comments about this project, please contact the Sanders County Floodplain Administrator at the Land Services Department in the County Courthouse, PO Box 519, 1111 Main Street Thompson Falls, MT 59873, Phone 827-6965 or kmaudrone@co.sanders.mt.us. Comments must be received by July 14, 2017. Published in the Clark Fork Valley Press on June 28, 2017. MNAXLP

Puppets give Plains Elementary School students tips

The Sanders County Coalition For Families is trying to stop bullying by teaching kids at a young age that it's not good.

Bluehawks finish at top of leaderboard in first tournament

They may not have won any green jackets for their play, but the games of the Thompson Falls boys’ golf team last weekend were nothing short of masterful.

Vote smart

Energy issues we face are a matter of national security. Our country faces one of the biggest challenges our nation has seen since World War II. As we send $700 billion dollars overseas per year to buy oil from people who don’t like us, our “do nothing” democratic congress stopped our ability to drill within 50 miles of our coastlines, which holds the majority of our oil and natural gas. We have to come to grips with our dire need to develop our natural resources in a responsible way. Nationally we have enough resources in a responsible way. Nationally we have enough resource to meet our demand. With gas prices pushing $3.50 to $4.00 a gallon the Democratic majority leader in Congress wants us to make sure our tires are inflated at the proper pressure so we can save fuel. Hello, is any body out there?! (NEED I SAY MORE)

Heat look back on season

A wicked problem

As Montana’s top natural resource administrators laid out the grim forecast for this year’s fire season, it became clear that many Western states face the worst wildfire conditions in recorded history. Fuel loads are so high in some areas we are literally just one spark away from record setting catastrophic disaster. All of Montana is vulnerable. Southwest Montana is in particularly high danger this year.

Mineral County offerings for a healthy 2021

January is the official month of resolutions, turning over a new leaf, a new chapter, a fresh start

Enthusiasts saddle up for annual poker run

Nick Ianniello

An update from Senator Fielder

Tragedy and Public Service: When tragedy struck the Legard family of Plains this past weekend, many hearts were broken, including my own. In the face of losing his dear wife and two grandchildren, Pat managed to speak only of goodness. He told me, “Despite all that has happened, I am blessed.”

Halloween takes over Mineral County

ALBERTON/SUPERIOR – Halloween is just around the corner and the schools in Alberton and Superior are revving up with parties for their students before the big day of candy, costumes, ghosts and goblins.

Airport Board looks to expand business potential

SUPERIOR – The Mineral County Airport Board believes bringing three-phase power to the Superior area would have huge benefits to the businesses and economy of the area. They have begun plans to make this a reality. According to Kevin Chamberlain, a member of the board and Montana State University extension agent, three-phase power is one of the most common types of power used in industrial work. It uses three conductors to carry three separate alternating currents. It also generates more power. Where most households use single-phase power, three-phase could run an entire multiple-unit apartment block with power to spare. Chamberlain said it was often used by businesses to run big machinery. There have been discussions of bringing three-phase power to the area around the airport. Chamberlain felt this would be good for the area because the power’s presence could be used as a draw to bring new businesses in. He said there was the possibility of building an industrial park to expand the area’s businesses and the economy as a whole. “First thing businesses look for is natural gas, which we don’t have anywhere in the county,” Chamberlain said. “The second thing they look at is do you have three-phase power at the site?” There is already three-phase power in some parts of the county, such as St. Regis. However, these places are already occupied by other businesses. Chamberlain felt building an industrial park would be a good solution. He said there had been a couple businesses who looked at Superior and the airport area as a possible location for their business. Three-phase power was an important factor in their search. Chamberlain said the lack of it in Superior led the businesses to decide against relocating to the area. The overall goal is to provide a place for people to do business. Alternatively, local businesses could move into the park and take advantage of the power. The airport board felt the benefits of upgrading the power in the area made it worthwhile to open discussions with the commissioners and the Federal Aviation Administration. The groups would then discuss what could be done in the area and the potential to develop an industrial park. While the project is being arranged by the airport board, there will be no changes to the airport itself. Chamberlain explained the airport was there to be used for aircraft operations and nothing else. The areas nearby could still be used for other businesses. “The whole point of what we’re trying to do is provide a place for someone to do business,” Chamberlain said. He said the board could not estimate a timeline of progress on the project. Because everything needs to fit into the FAA’s policies and guidelines, all aspects need to be reviewed to see if they comply with regulations. As a result, it would be awhile before any projections could be made. Chamberlain said it was tough to bring new business to the area because conditions were far from ideal. Because of the difficulties, Chamberlain felt anything they could do to make things easier was worth it. The airport board has spoken with the Mineral County Commissioners and other organizations to get funds for the project. They are currently working with the Department of Commerce to get grant money. The board hopes to have a grant application ready to submit by April.

Committee Dissolves: Open Doors committee members resign after new information surfaces

SUPERIOR — A committee formed to help an organization that claimed to want to foster economic development in Superior was dissolved last week after committee members learned about the extensive criminal history of one of the principals in the organization known as Open Doors.

New dog spa opens for Mineral County pets

SUPERIOR – As Leslie Heppe prepared to leave her job as cook at the Superior Senior Citizen Center, she opened the Paw Spa to try her hand at running her own business.

Red Devils headed to state after big winning streak

The true test of any basketball team is how well they perform under pressure with their backs against the wall. After coming off their first loss after one game, it would’ve been difficult to predict the run of success that would follow.  The Red Devils would play four more games after their loss to Ennis. They won them all and now the Red Devils are moving on to the State Tournament.

Noxon-Thompson Falls baseball gets win over Browning

If the way the first season of Noxon-Thompson Falls varsity baseball ended is any indication, good things may be on the horizon for the Red Devils.