Forest Service begins prescribed burns in Mineral County

MINERAL COUNTY – Forest Service personnel were busy last week taking advantage of weather conditions that allowed them to perform a prescribed burn near St. Regis as part of an ongoing effort to reduce fuel loads on forested land in Mineral County.

State Government scraps Regional Hazmat funding

By ERIN JUSSEAUME

Ferraris go up in flames in Mineral County

One destroyed Ferrari can still be seen in a burned out trailer. County firefighters responded to a call earlier last week of a trailer on fire and discovered five brand new Ferrari cars inside. All but one of the vehicles was completely destroyed in the blaze.  

Superior School students build bat houses

Superior School Bat Houses

Third Annual Holiday Stroll gets locals in the mood for Christmas

For the first time the Wells Fargo Holiday Stroll was held inside the Old Schoolhouse Gym. It was the third annual event where 14 local non-profit groups had tables set up selling products and had information about their organization’s mission. Previously the event had been held on the main floor of the Old Schoolhouse but that space is now being used by a new cafe called “Whipped Up Montana.”

Hot Springs to go without football team in 2017

Just as the high school football season is about to begin, Hot Springs High School had to make a heart-breaking decision on the impending season.

Stand Down draws masses

PLAINS – The first-ever Veterans Stand Down in Sanders County was received by veterans near and far in numbers close to 1,000 that marked it a great success for volunteers and organizers looking to honor and aid those who have served.

Tester's field rep hears from local residents

Last Tuesday, the Superior Volunteer Fire Department training room became the mobile office for two of Sen. Jon Tester’s couriers saving a trip to Missoula for Mineral and Sanders counties constituents to share information, opinions, and ideas.

How to cope with wildfire smoke

Hazy skies have plagued the region since early July when a storm system produced hundreds of lightning strikes across western Montana.

Sanders County court report

Sanders County Justice Court week of 6/17 to 6/23.

Plains firefighters receive additional training

PLAINS – A plume of dark, toxic smoke rose into the air behind the Plains-Paradise Rural Fire Department as the firefighters completed their final training of the weekend.

Thompson Falls boys, girls basketball teams open with big wins

Saturday evening in Troy, the girls opened their new campaign with a resounding 63-7 thumping of the Lady Trojans. Later that evening the Blue Hawks boys also won big, pounding the Troy boys 65-39.

Plains resident encourages pregnancy awareness

Trotters softball tops Troy for first victory

It was the Maddy Blood show Saturday in Troy as the Plains Trotters softball team picked up their first win of the year, 11-0 over the Lady Trojans.

Lady Hawks beat Troy

THOMPSON FALLS - The Lady Hawks took it to Troy last weekend with a win, 45-26, that put them on the map in their league play going into the holiday.

Plains runners improve times at Mountain West Classic

It had all the makings of a miserable day.  As the Plains and Thompson Falls cross country team bus approached Arlee and Evaro last Saturday, they were met with a wall of clouds, rain, lightning and thunder.  With the teams headed towards Missoula for the annual Mountain West Classic cross country meet, the mood on the bus was getting somber as the kids and coaches were thinking that the day was going to be long, muddy, wet and cold.  But, as the bus approached the University Golf Course on the south end of the University of Montana campus, the rain quit, the clouds thinned and a bit of sun began to poke through.  That turn of good fortune was a signal of the day to come for the Horsemen and Trotter harrier squads.

We the People: firearm related bills

There are several firearms related bills awaiting executive action by the Senate Judiciary Committee.  It is anticipated we will be doing that on Monday, March 21st.   I will give a brief description of each bill.  House Bill 271: “Exception to concealed weapon offense if eligible to apply”, says that if you are eligible to apply for a concealed carry permit you may carry without an official permit.  If you are able to qualify for a permit by having completed a firearms training course or military training you may carry concealed, no permit required.  A hunter’s safety course is not adequate.   It also means that those who are ineligible may not carry concealed; felons, etc.  Basically under current law, you do not need a concealed carry permit outside of cities and towns, but you do when you cross the border line of a city or town.   The State of Vermont has a similar law.  I am supporting this bill. Judging by the correspondence I am receiving on this one, the overwhelming majority of Montanans want this bill passed.

Sanders County Court Records - Aug. 20-26

Sanders County Justice Court week of 8/20 to 8/26.

Legislative Update: Week 14

This past week, the House had a full agenda of bills. Most days we had over 20 bills to take action on during the House floor session. Those bills were either Senate or House with Senate amendments.

Food bank opened

The food bank in Alberton opened last year in June and is meeting a need within the community. The idea for a food bank came up a couple years ago when the Horizons Group came to Alberton and asked what they might need.