Keeping in touch

In preparation for the upcoming legislative session, I have recently attended two meetings regarding health care challenges and the impacts the New Health Care Reform Laws are having on Montana.  While the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (HCERA) – commonly known as Obamacare - are undergoing legal challenges as to its constitutionality as well as individual states’ efforts to opt out of the federal legislation, such as The Freedom of Choice Act Constitutional amendment, these legal challenges and states actions have not deterred the implementation of some of the legislated changes which are, at the least, introducing new challenges for medical and insurance providers.

Meet the candidates: Tim Vulles

A native Montanan, Tim Vulles grew up in Sanders County, but has had family ties to Mineral County for several years, while living here and working here himself. Vulles is the fourth candidate to put his name in the running for sheriff.

Cross country runners post personal best

WHITEFISH – Both Thompson Falls and Plains cross country teams competed at the Whitefish Invitation this past Saturday.

Crowd voices opinion on new hunting proposals

SUPERIOR – The public was welcomed to present their concerns on new hunting regulations to representatives of Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks at a special meeting Thursday morning.

Living off the grid suits "Grizz" just fine

A while back when he was in town picking up a few things and having a beer at a local watering hole, Grizz was talking to a guy who was complaining about another power outage after a big snowstorm.

Residents weigh in on Superior salvage yard

Concerned citizens and landowners met with the Mineral County Commissioners Tuesday to discuss a proposed salvage yard in Mineral County.

'TAKING FLIGHT' Plains singer-songwriter's music soars

Polly Cavill is a woman you will not soon forget after you have met her the very first time. She has an infectious big smile and an amazing energetic and calming presence. She may be singing, dancing, smiling or possibly doing them all when you meet her.

Riverdogs snag one win on road trip

They battled through a brief shortage of players, rainy, spring weather and some tough upper division opponents in what was a challenging week for the Clark Fork Valley Riverdogs.

Hawaiian family fun night 4

Rusti Leivestad of Trout Creek does the Hula dance for the students.

Loge reaches milestone in Red Cross donations

Denley Loge, St. Regis rancher and House District 14 Representative, is at a zenith with the American Red Cross...

Hospital welcomes McNeese as interim CEO

Mineral Community Hospital welcomed interim Chief Executive Officer Steve McNeese to their team last week.

Superior Fire Chief Rob Torrey resigns

Superior Volunteer Fire Department Chief Rob Torrey has quit the department effective Dec. 31, 2017. Torrey took the helm from retiring fire chief John Woodland in January 2016. Torrey has worked in the fire service field for more than 30 years and took the part-time position in order to spend more time with his wife and grandchildren.

Thompson Falls confident heading into second half of season

Head coach Jake Mickelson of the Thompson Falls varsity Hawks says he is pleased with the progress his team is making this season.

County properties will soon be tobacco free

Starting on Jan. 1, 2017 all county properties will tobacco free, including chew and electronic delivery devices, or e-cigs. Properties include the main courthouse campus, library, health department, road department, county owned parks, extension office, and fairgrounds.

Women's Club makes stockings for SCCF holidays

Flatiron Quilting Guild celebrating 30 years at show

For three decades, the gifted hands of the Flatiron Quilting Guild have pieced and stitched love for their fellow community members into quilts that have greeted babies, warmed families, and comforted cancer patients. The upcoming Flatiron Quilting Guild Quilt Show, Saturday, April 13, is a real credit to the persistent community contributions and artistic skill of the Guild members.

Seventeen little guy wrestlers headed to state this weekend

The little guy wrestlers from Superior had a huge weekend in Libby at the Unit 2 Valley Tournament. Coach Charlie Crabb said that they ended up in third place in the small team rankings, which proved to be "a lot better than I thought we would do." Crabb said he felt the kids had a good tournament.

Emergency communication system in Sanders County to be reassesed

Hot Springs Mayor Randy Woods along with Sanders County Sheriff Tom Rummel and Sanders County Sheriff Department radio technician Cody Best met with the county commissioners on Wednesday. Woods voiced his concerns over the lack of redundancy in emergency communications around Hot Springs.

Rails to Trails spring clean up this Saturday

“When we wrote the Trail Stewardship Grant, we committed to holding an annual cleanup day and this is the first one!” beamed Diane Magone, chairperson of the Mineral County Rails to Trails chapter.

Savage Horsemen defeat Rams, lose to Warriors

Red Devils cage Rams in 30-6 win