A message from Sen. Jennifer Fielder

SPECIAL NOTE TO READER: Recently I released the article below to the Sanders County Ledger with the headline “Feds won’t let state put wildfires out”. The Ledger retitled my article, “Feds don’t help firefighting effort”. This is an egregious misrepresentation of the content of my article (which, you can see below, in no way indicates that the feds are not helping firefighting efforts). Of course, the federal government has hundreds of firefighters and support contractors working the fires, many putting in valiant efforts to combat the blaze. My column points out, factually, that the federal government will not allow state firefighting aircraft to work on putting out the fires. With the state’s help, some of these fires likely could have been extinguished before they grew out of control, as the state of Montana has a stellar track record for stopping wildfires before they exceed 10 acres in size.

Noxon's VanVleet signs with Tech

Good things, the saying goes, sometimes come in small packages. News flash — good things also often come in big packages.

Loge honored for service to the community

Denley Loge was recently recognized for his 16 years of service on the Board of Supervisors by the Mineral Conservation District and the Natural Resource Conservation Service. Denley retired from the Conservation District last year after he was elected into the Montana House of Representatives for District 14, where he represents Mineral and Sanders Counties.

Helping Hands celebrates 20th annual auction

A new twist on Global Warming

For some time we have been hearing, reading and talking Global Warming. The buzz is Green, which don't get me wrong, is great. We should have been looking for new ways a long time ago. I have been thinking — is it all about the smoke, aerosols, plastics, etc. or can it be something else?

On the river

Former Plains resident helps his students and school shine

For over two decades, Shane Browning has touched the lives of young students in Sterling, Colorado's RE-1 Valley School District as an elementary teacher.

A Cold Night's Training

The Sanders County Search and Rescue held their annual winter rescue training Saturday with a class and overnight field training in the snowy woods of the Lolo National Forest.

Paradise artist has unique vision for his work

In the amazing world that is art, there are a myriad of creative venues and expressions.

Spring wolf sightings reported in area

Prior to 1990, there were very few people in Montana who may have heard the howl of a wolf. By 1925 the species was eradicated from the state and remained virtually extinct until recovery efforts began.

Fairgrounds offers sanctuary to fire evacuees

When mandatory evacuations for Walking Horse Lane and Early Dawn Road and adjacent areas near Big Arm were announced last Thursday afternoon by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Vicki Holmberg, Polson Fairgrounds caretaker, was immediately on the phone with people seeking shelter for their animals and places to park their campers and RVs. When she wasn’t on the phone, she was showing people where to put their animals.

Alberton couple locate victim

MISSOULA COUNTY – The Rausch family from Alberton only intended to spend the day cutting firewood just across the county line in Missoula County but what they came upon while driving home last Sunday, March 22 would change their course of action dramatically.

Karen Thorson in attendance at Paradise art show

PLAINS – When Karen Thorson steps into her studio, her face lights up. It’s a place all her own where she can create to her heart’s content. The small, tidy area is filled with paintings, glass and clay sculptures – three different venues of art Thorson produces.

HD-14 candidate Rep. Denley Loge

There will be two Republican candidates for the primary election on June 8 for the Montana House Representative from District 14. Both live in St. Regis, with Rep. Denley Loge as the incumbent and Randy Mitchell vying for the position. HD-14 covers areas in three different counties.

Outdoors: Hunting tales to span generations of sportsmen

Being new to Mineral County, I was interested in learning what the locals did in their free time. The prevailing interest was definitely hunting, with people of all ages going out with guns and bows. Having never gone hunting, and knowing very little about it beyond what an uncle had told me, I decided to learn more and went in search of people’s stories.

Dennis Reanier to speak in Plains

PLAINS - On August 3 at 6 p.m., Dennis Reanier will be speaking in Plains at Church on the Move.  

Remember the Pearl Harbor's

December 7th 1941, “A day that will live in infamy” as then President Roosevelt stated, when he declared war on the Japanese Empire, after their sneak attack on that fateful morning. Among the American causalities was George David Smart, of Polson, Montana. His remains still lie with hundreds of his shipmates in the hold of the legendary USS Arizona, at Pearl Harbor. There is a tribute display at the Miracle of America Museum, with rare family and Arizona memorabilia, to remind viewers that freedom is not free.

Thompson concludes a successful high school career at Plains Signs with BYU

Former Plains High School four-sport athlete Jessica Thompson admits she is used to staying busy and her rigorous schedule in high school should adequately prepare her for future endeavors at Brigham Young University.

New ideas not a problem for Plains inventor

Leonardo da Vinci would probably have liked Derek VonHeeder.

First responder fundraiser planned in wake of St. Regis hostage incident

Two weeks have passed since a hostage situation and shooting shook the small town of St. Regis, leaving local citizens and Travel Center employees, the Sheriff’s Office, and area first responders to cope with the fallout.