Sheep Gap Fire still burning, makes run towards Plains

Sheep Gap fire made a run for the town last week, but thanks to quick thinking from fire fighters and the Sheriffs Department no one was hurt.

CSKT Tribal Council elects McDonald as chairman

The Tribal Council of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes held its quarterly meeting Friday at the Tribes’ headquarters in Pablo, with the selection of new Council leadership high on the agenda.

Lolo Forest wants input on revision plan

Much has changed since 1986, the last the Lolo Forest Revision was made. Now the Forest Service is looking for input about this multi-year process that will affect snowmobilers, hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, berry pickers, hunters, fishing-folk and everyone else that recreates, somehow, in the woods.

Wrestling Roundup

The Clark Fork Mountain Cats wrestling team hosted their final meet of the season with the Superior Mixer in Superior on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Teams from Libby, Dillon, and Mission participated in the match-up. It was also Senior Night for Superior, where team manager, Catherine Shope was honored.

Montana Supreme Court says counties wrong on 95-mill tax issue

The Montana Supreme Court Wednesday ruled against Montana county governments in a dispute over the Montana Department of Revenue’s authority to order the full collection of the 95-mill state-level school equalization levy, a formerly obscure piece of tax bills that became a flashpoint this fall as state and local officials contended with frustration over rising property taxes.

'Birds of a Feather' in Superior

For Superior High School Montana History Professor and Play Director Cathleen Kuchera the best part of producing a play every year is “getting to watch the students shine” and this year’s production of the play ‘Birds of a Feather’ was no different – for two nights the high school students took to the stage and shone. Preparation for play, which takes place in the suburbs and revolves around a series of showdowns between Leonna Crump (played by Hannah Hollenback) and her new neighbors – group of “hill-folk,” began two and a half months ago with Kuchera holding tryouts. “We had a shorter amount of time to put this play together – just over two months - and by play standards it is about a week less than what a director would like,” Kuchera said. “I hold a meeting for all interested parties about three months out to inform the students of my expectations. The play requires dedication and hard work, and the biggest part of the dedication is showing up to practice and memorizing your lines. Drama is not for the weak in body or mind.” After auditions, the group of student actors begins an intensive rehearsal regime – practicing over two hours a day to make sure the actors are prepared for their time to shine. “It is not like traditional sports where you have a number of games – we have only two shots at this,” Kuchera said. Another aspect of the preparation is, as Kuchera called it, “in the details” and the group works on finding all of the props and costumes as well as setting up the stage for the performance. “I do get pretty lucky in the fact that our set is painted by the advanced art class under Mrs. Kelly’s supervision – for which I am extremely thankful,” Kuchera said. The months of long practices lead to show time and on May 3 and 4 the student-actors entertained packed houses in the multi-purpose room of the high-school with the story of Leona Crump and her judgemental nature and sharpness being taken to the limit by her new neighbors. “I feel the performances went excellent,” Kuchera said. “Every single one of them did exactly what they were supposed to do – they rolled with the punches. I cannot express how proud I am with my cast and crew.” Although the ending of the play is “always bittersweet” for Kuchera, seeing the students shine and break out of their shells is something she cherishes. “When the students participate in the play and receive the praise they obviously deserve, I begin to see this confidence that wasn’t there before,” Kuchera said. “I say this almost every year, but the dramatic productions are so important because it provides students with an opportunity to express their artistic talents and be noticed for their skills.”

Project concerns neighbors

Plans for construction on a plot of land off of River Road West in Plains have area residents concerned about potential repercussions. While several residents of the neighborhood above River Road West have voiced apprehensions about the proposed construction due largely to environmental concerns, officials from Sanders County have asserted that there would be no inherent risk in the proposed building.

Counties pressured to object to CSKT Compact

As the deadline approaches to file objections to water rights claims set out in the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes-Montana Water Compact, some local officials are considering the effects of the landmark deal.

Governor visits Plains

Commissioners discuss plans for Large Predator Resolution

At the special meeting of the Mineral County Commissioner in St. Regis on April 23, the commissioners discussed their Large Predator Resolution with the thirty plus attendees.

Sewer system needs proper care to run efficiently

Alberton officials have warned that residents may be flushing their money down the drain — not literally, but close enough!

The road to divisionals for the Savage-Horsemen

It’s been a season for Savage-Horsemen wrestling where coaches and wrestlers alike had no idea what would unfold after the sudden loss of former head coach Kenny Marjerison.

Sanders County schools prepare for worst-case scenarios

Emergencies in Sanders County school can take many forms varying in severity and impacting students in different ways – from natural disasters and threats of violence to medical issues.

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.

Carole Johnson to retire from Superior Ranger District after long career

On average, men hold 12.5 jobs in their lifetime with a median tenure of 4.3 years.

Superior boys, Noxon girls lead local teams at Kim Haines Invite

With district, divisional and state track and field meets just around the corner, a good barometer for local Class B and C schools may have been this past weekend’s Kim Haines Invitational meet in Missoula.

Trotters, Horsemen excel at T-Falls, Big Sky track meets

The Plains High School girls have some of the best throwers in the state and they were able to showcase their abilities at the Big Sky Invitational Saturday afternoon at Missoula.

Council discusses park maintenance, EPA cleanup

SUPERIOR – On September 16, the Superior Town Council held their monthly meeting. Issues from the status of the town parks to the sale of land were discussed.

Joseph Marcus Magone

Joseph Marcus Magone

Hot Springs horseback caroling

Christmas carolers this time of year can be a common sight, but seeing them on horseback can be a little unusual, unless they're in Hot Springs, where nearly 20 riders roamed the streets for the third year to sing holiday songs.