Tri-State Veterans Standown prepares to take over

PLAINS - The Tri-State Veterans Standown will take over the fairgrounds this weekend, gearing up thousands of veterans with surplus gear, food and medical checkups.

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

Kvelve's Comments: New Year predictions

As another year comes to an end, I want to take the opportunity to clear the air, make amends and make a prediction or two for 2025.

Sanders County Fair Board assesses successful '18 event

The Sanders County Fair Board met last Wednesday night for their “Fair Critique,” after another successful fair.

One of county's oldest vets reminisces on a 'good life'

Down a winding stretch of Diamond Road, east of Superior, is a small home nestled in a pine filled canyon just past the old Diamond Match Mill. It’s the home of Joe Magone and his daughter, Diane, where a hand painted sign greets visitors and mentions her Bengal cats she once bred and sold. Joe was honored last Saturday during an Armed Forces Day celebration in Superior. He sat alongside two other veterans, John Cochran and William Merriman and Ryan Cahalin, a Superior student who recently joined the forces. In June, Joe will turn 95 and has the distinction of being one of the county’s oldest living veterans, having served in the Army Air Corp. during WWII.

Kvelve's Comments: 'Merry Thanksmas'

Not sure how this happens every year, but it’s already Thanksgiving again.

Tough season for Alberton volleyball

Coming out of the 2009 volleyball season, Coach Rachel Clevenger said that this year the team had pans to work on improving in the areas of serving and passing. Both of those areas, she said, were the two biggest areas that they needed to improve upon and were also two critical skills to putting together a great game of volleyball.

On the Fly - Area birders share tips on how to get started birdwatching

POLSON — The mist had barely lifted from Flathead Lake on Monday morning and already Jim Rogers was peering through a scope at a red-tailed hawk on the far shore from the parking area at Ducharme Access on the east shore.

AG says state will consider funding for PL 280

Whether fueled by election-year largesse or Lake County’s impending withdrawal from Public Law 280, Attorney General Austin Knudsen delivered some long-awaited good news Monday. The office of Gov. Greg Gianforte, he said, “has authorized me to convey to you folks they would sign a bill through the Legislature that provided some law enforcement funding for Lake County.”

Hot Springs nipped in 6-man playoff loss

A couple years ago, another McAllister used to be called “rodeo tough” McAllister for his strong play and ability to mix it up.

Noxon celebrates Dr. Seuss Day

Community calendar

Montana rail workers say new labor contract doesn't fix working conditions

A monthslong labor dispute between the Class I railroads and rail worker unions ended Dec. 2 with Congress’ intervention, subjecting workers to a new contract and using the 1926 Railway Labor Act to prevent a potential strike.

Year in Review 2017:

The year 2017 was ushered in on the back of an epic snow storm which dump nearly a foot of snow on the valley in early January. It was just one of many natural disasters and phenomenon which dominated headlines throughout the year.

Thompson Falls golfers battled wind, tough course at Anaconda

How windy was it in Anaconda this past week?

Good-"buy" America

Just to introduce myself. I am a 75-year-old, white, college educated, male. I have lived through a depression, a world war, two police actions and now, Iraqi freedom.

Arsenic found in Thompson Reservoir

Thompson Falls water problems are raising concern among Thompson Falls residents and Sanders County officials as higher levels of arsenic, copper, lead, zinc and cadmium have been detected in the Clark Fork. In the Clark Fork riverbed, measurements show that the arsenic alone is six times the limit approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Savage Heat host Jordan after 49-24 win over DGS

It’s like climbing a challenging ladder for the Hot Springs High School football team. The Savage Heat made it to the first rung by earning the No. 1 seed from the West Division in the Class C 6-man state playoffs.

Savage Heat, Red Devils 'road warriors' Hot Springs plays at Gardiner; Noxon travels to Sheridan

Hot Springs scored three unanswered touchdowns in the third quarter to open up a tight game last Friday night in Noxon, and the Savage Heat went on to earn a 64-36 victory over the Red Devils.

County health center bites down on oral health

SUPERIOR – The Mineral Regional Health Center will provide an opportunity for uninsured children to get free dental screening at a special clinic being held on Thursday, March 6. The clinic is being put on by MRHC and Partnership Health Center, out of Missoula. The operation will be set up in the MRHC basement, where the Mineral County Health Department is located. A mobile clinic will come from Missoula to perform the exams. PHC is expected to bring a dentist and two assistants to treat patients. According to Kristi Scott, outreach and enrollment coordinator at MRHC, the dentists will do exams, screenings and minor fillings on site. Patients will be referred to other dentists for more serious work if needed. If the health center cannot fill all the appointments with uninsured kids, Scott plans to open the clinic to kids who have insurance. If they still do not have enough, adults will be welcome to the clinic. “We’re focusing on uninsured children who have no coverage,” Scott said. “I’m really excited about [the event]. I think we’re trying to target patients, children who may not have access to dental treatment otherwise.” Because the clinic is being offered for free, MRHC was unable to work with local dentists to provide the exams. Scott explained a dentist’s office would not be able to do the work for free. The clinic will refer patients to local dentists for more in-depth care. “It’s really a great partnership that we’re trying to build,” Scott said. “We’re not taking business away from [Dr. Ordelheide]. What we’re really trying to do is help him build his business, his patient count.” With the changes being made at MRHC, it was decided these sorts of services would be good for the health center. Interim Chief Executive Officer Cindy Stergar decided they should try it out and began talking with PHC to arrange the clinic. Scott recently went to a similar clinic in Seeley Lake to get a better idea of how everything worked. She felt the trip was helpful as it gave her a better idea of what the MRHC event would need to do. “I feel really good, I think it’s going over really well,” Scott said. “It was great because I was able to ask questions about [everything].” Some of the information she gathered included how much time the dentists would need with each patient. Slots for the clinic are limited. Because of how new the program is, Scott wanted to keep it small. In this first clinic the dentists will only see seven or eight patients. The health center hopes to hold more of these clinics as time goes on. Scott said they would consider how well the event worked and how it was received. More clinics may be offered in the future. If this happens they might have more room for appointments. Scott’s initial talks with Stergar about future clinics have been promising. There has been some talk about making it a quarterly event but no decisions have been made. “This is really a test run for us,” Scott said. “It’s exciting for us to get this off the ground. Our ultimate goal is making sure everyone in the community has access to quality health care. This is one more service we want to provide.” More information about the clinics can be found by contacting Scott at 822-7134.