County fire danger hits moderate level

SANDERS COUNTY – With a second consecutive week of high temperatures and not much precipitation predicted from forthcoming weather forecasts, many areas of the county have started to severely dry out.

Stage II fire restrictions in effect

Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 10, enforcement of Stage II fire restrictions across west central Montana went into effect. Emergency responders at the city, county, state, tribal and federal levels have been plagued by unattended campfires this fire season. Several wildfires have ignited and spread quickly through cured grass in the last two weeks as the area has come into Very High or Extreme fire danger.

Sanders County Court Records

Sanders County Justice Court week of 2/12 – 2/19

Noxon upsets 14C division leader Charlo

Don’t look now, but another serious contender for the boys 14C basketball conference crown emerged this weekend as the Noxon Red Devils won a pair of league games and lost to Class B Troy.

Mineral County Court Report

Mineral County Justice Court week of 2/21 to 2/28 Bond Forfeited February 26, 10, Aaron Charles – Fair to obey direction to be weighed (see A.R.M. 18.8.1301). February 24, Boucher, Robert Daniel – Fail to carry proof or exhibit/insurance in vehicle, owner or operator, 2nd offense. February 25, Brown, Joan Francis – Basic rule, reasonable and prudent, 1st offense. February 21, Bryant, Brett Alan – Speeding on Interstate, exceed day limit of 75 MPH. February 21, Cockrell, Dale Reed – Speeding, exceed restricted/special zone speed limit established by department. February 26, Corrigan, Bruce Edward – 11 hour driving rule, property carriers. February 21, Drown, Gerald Raymond – Operate a vehicle, combination of load, object, or other thing with size or weight w/o spec permit. February 26, Dukes, Mark C. – Basic rule, reasonable and prudent, 1st offense. February 21, Fakirov, Evgeni Dochev – No driver shall use alcohol, be under the influence of alcohol, within 4 hours of going on duty. February 25, Fred, Jeff B. – Non-resident operating snowmobile w/o temporary permit. February 25, Fulton, Hunter D. – Non-resident operating snowmobile w/o temporary permit. February 21, Hofbauer, Jason Patrick – Careless driving. February 21, Hofmann, Wayne L. – Non-resident operating snowmobile w/o temporary permit. February 21, Holcom, Tia Marie – Speeding on Interstate, exceed day limit of 75 MPH. February 21, Johnson, Ira – Fail to follow conditions and requirements of special permit. February 21, Joy, Gordon Edward – Exceed 34,000 lbs tandem axle weight limit. February 24, Kennedy, Samuel Willaim – Speeding on Interstate, exceed day limit of 75 MPH. February 24, Lavers, Shane Thomas – Basic rule, reasonable and prudent, 1st offense. February 26, Litovchenko, Leonid A. – Fail to purchase trip permit immediately upon arrival in state. February 24, Lodato, Brian Joseph – Speeding on Interstate, exceed day limit of 75 MPH. February 21, Lund, Jacob Allen – Change lanes when unsafe to do so. February 26, Martens, Joshua A. – 60/70 hour rule. February 25, Meier, Justin Michael – Stop sign violation. February 24, Muir, Justin Kenneth – Fail to slow/use caution/move away from a stationary emergency vehicle/police vehicle. February 23, Parker, Scott M. Speeding on Interstate, exceed night limit of 75 MPH. February 24, Schleining, Rodney Lee – Speeding on Interstate, exceed night limit of 75 MPH. February 26, Schnapp, Michael Alexander – Basic Rule, reasonable and prudent, 1st offense. February 24, Smith, Kevin Lee – Basic rule, reasonable and prudent, 1st offense. February 27, Torres, Francisco Javier – Careless driving. February 25, Turnipseed, Wayne Phillip – Speeding on Interstate, exceed day limit of 75 MPH. February 24, Wirth Jr., John Ray – Speeding on Interstate, exceed day limit of 75 MPH. February 25, Witham, Todd A. – Non-resident operating a snowmobile w/o temporary permit. Guilty February 26, Crane, Melissa Louise – Careless driving. February 27, Gamba, Justin Metuchen – Speeding, exceed restricted/special zone speed limit established by department. February 27, Gamba, Justin Metuchen – Seatbelt violation. February 25, Oyson, Michael Wayne – Basic rule, reasonable and prudent, 1st offense. February 25, Oyson, Michael Wayne – Fail to carry proof or exhibit/insurance in vehicle, owner or operator, 2nd offense. February 25, Oyson, Michael Wayne – Operating a vehicle in unsafe conditions w/o proper lights/equipment. February 25, Oyson, Michael Wayne – Driving a motor vehicle while privilege to do so is suspended or revoked. February 25, Oyson, Michael Wayne – Operating a vehicle which has not been properly registered.

New pet rescue group believes anything is 'pawsable'

“We had a tiny kitten that had been attacked by a dog dropped off, and we had to get veterinary help. We raised more than $500.00 in less than eight hours. Unfortunately, the baby passed despite our best efforts and all our prayers. It’s part of rescue that Debbie and all of us volunteers have to handle,” shared Glenda Wallace with the newly formed SOAR 54 (Supporters of Animal Rescue 54).

Public comment sought for Sheep Gap Salvage Project

Plains residents and those surrounding Plains are being encouraged to attend a public comment which is now being accepted on the Sheep Gap Fire Salvage Project Environmental Assessment (EA) being put on by the US Forest Service.

Woman fires rounds during altercation with teen

A woman was charged with assault with a weapon last week after discharging rounds during an altercation with a teenage family member.

Keeping in touch

As legislators, we have had some long days and short nights as we head to the midway point of the session, the transmittal deadline for all non-revenue bills.  With transmittal ending on February 24t, we have been hearing an increased number of general bills both in committee and on the floor.

Fire danger reaches extreme conditions

SANDERS COUNTY- With the official fire danger level set to “extreme,” emergency services throughout Sanders County are on high alert and taking additional measures to respond in the case of a wildfire. At the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation facility in Plains, two helicopters were on stand-by last week to respond should the need arise.

Multiple fires break out near Superior

SCCDC role for Hot Springs Clinic Project complete

THOMPSON FALLS – Jim Rexhouse, Executive Director of the Sanders County Community Development Corporation, announced today that SCCDC’s project management responsibilities for the Hot Springs Clinic Project are essentially complete, with only final close-out activities remaining.

Dixon family suffers loss in recent house fire

DIXON - A fire may have taken their home and everything they owned, but the Elverud family hasn’t let the tragedy break their spirits.

Superior Fire District considers Tarkio annexation

Steve Temple, Superior Volunteer Fire Department Chief, was approached by some residents east of town on the possibility of their area being annexed into...

Child care scholarship expansion headed to Gianforte’s desk

Rep. Alice Buckley’s Best Beginnings Scholarship expansion to provide relief for lower-income Montanans seeking child care options is headed to the governor’s desk after a final bipartisan vote in the Senate on Friday.

Lady Hawks notch 2 wins in Western B volleyball

The Lady Hawks are soaring in the early going of the 2022 Montana high school volleyball season.

Prep basketball roundup

On Thursday night in Superior, Class C, Clark Fork Mountain Cats challenged themselves with non-conference games against Class B, Thompson Falls. The Cats took a big loss, 70-30, as the boy’s faced their towering adversaries, with half the team over six foot tall, including six foot, five-inch McKenzie Holt. Cat eighth grader, Carson Callison at five feet, ten-inches, was no match during the game starting tip-off against Holt.

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Sanders County Sheriff’s Office

Hot Springs gunman files guilty plea

Following police standoff back in May, man pleads guilty to criminal endangerment

A Hot Springs man filed a guilty plea last Thursday in District

Small Business Saturday helps support local shops

Mineral County is filled with small business from Haugen to Alberton. Shops include restaurants, gift shops, antique and grocery stores, service shops and much more. In honor of small businesses, American Express founded Small Business Saturday which will be held November 25. The day is designed to help support independently owned businesses.