De-stress for the holidays

Relax, slow down, and enjoy the holiday season and learn some new tools for the rest of the year, too. When stress is at its peak, it is hard to bring it down; try to prevent stress and depression in the first place, especially if the holidays have taken an emotional toll on you in the past. Start now and relax later. Here are 40 ways to try to get ahead of it:

New Town Pump in Plains begins operation Dec. 5

Construction is wrapping up on the new Plains Town Pump and Lucky Lil’s Casino. Over the next week, Plains team members and other Town Pump associates will be setting up the new convenience store and casino with an opening date of Wednesday, Dec. 5.

Basketball, wrestling teams gear up for successful seasons

As soon as high school students hung up their cleats and volleyball pads, basketball practice started with tournaments this weekend. Basketball players will be at the Western C Tip Off Tournament in Frenchtown on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. Meanwhile, wrestlers will be at the Owen Invite, hosted by Polson.

Forest Service streamlines projects as budget cuts deepen

Forest Service projects with the Superior and Ninemile districts are slowing down as winter sets in and fire crews are leaving the area District Rangers, Carole Johnson from Superior and Ann Hadlow from Ninemile reported at a recent Mineral County Commissioners’ meeting held on Nov. 16.

Community Notes

A Holiday Fair will be held in the Old School House Gym in Superior at 100 River St. on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Shop local small businesses and learn about Mineral County non-profit organizations. Contact Whipped Up at 406-272-5874 for details.

Storm keeps Highway Patrol busy over holiday weekend

Montana Highway Patrol had a busy Thanksgiving holiday week with approximately 460 incident reports throughout the state from Nov. 21 through Nov. 23, and with about 20 of those incidents occurring in Mineral County.

St. Regis school board one of two recognized statewide

The St. Regis School Board was recognized as one of two School Boards of the Year in Montana for its efforts in policies, facilities, and programs at St. Regis. School Superintendent Joe Steele, who nominated the board for the award, said he has been impressed with the school board’s vision, and those past board members who initiated their vision.

Mineral Community Hospital Clinic ready to open on Jan. 2

The Mineral Community Hospital Clinic is getting ready to open its doors on Jan. 2, 2019 in Superior. The clinic will be located in the same building as the Mineral Regional Health Center which shuttered its doors in 2015.

Community Notes

Join DBSA Superior and Mineral County LAC for a free lunch and learn to use some tools for making this holiday season one of peace and joy. Share ideas how to avoid chaos, stress management and slowing down to make this year one of the best seasons you’ve ever had. Friday, Nov. 30, noon to 1 p.m. at Choices Conference Center at 310 Spruce in Superior.

Clark Fork athletes honored at year-end banquet

Student athletes from Alberton and Superior met in the Superior High School gym on Wednesday, Nov. 14. They gathered with family and friends to celebrate their accomplishments during football and volleyball seasons. The boys ended their season 6-4 with a playoff game in Great Falls. The girls were District 13C champions and traveled to Divisionals.

Thanksgiving travel expected to increase over '17 numbers

AAA is projecting that more than 54 million Americans will travel nationwide over this Thanksgiving holiday, a 4.8-percent increase over last year, or 2.5 million travelers. This is also predicted to be the highest Thanksgiving travel volume since 2005. This is despite higher gas prices at the pump with the national average at $2.79 as of Nov. 1, a 31-cent increase over this same time last year.

Man fires gunshots in Trout Creek

At approximately 5:35 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14, Sanders County Sheriff’s Office dispatch received a call that a male subject was attempting to start a fire at the Lakeside Motel in Trout Creek. The male had also reportedly pointed a firearm at another individual.

Community Notes

The 43rd Annual Great American Smokeout! will be Thursday, Nov. 15. The Mineral County Health Department encourages everyone to commit or recommit to healthy, smoke-free lives. Information is available at cancer.org/smokeout or call 800-227-2345, or call Barb Jasper, RN, at MCHD at 406-822-3564.

Mineral County Justice Court Report

Nov. 5, Grace Bush Abbey, speeding

Lacy assumes role as Thompson Falls mayor

It’s a very familiar face in the position as new mayor of Thompson Falls.

Trotters eliminated at C Divisional

Plains’ varsity volleyball team put up a fight at the Western B Divisional Tournament last week at Manhattan Christian High School, but was unable to advance far enough in the bracket to challenge for a state tournament berth.

Lady Hawks just short of state B qualification

All a high school volleyball coach can realistically ask from his or her players is to be playing your best when tournament time rolls around, and to “leave it on the floor” each time you go out to compete.

Mustangs stampede to 74-57 victory over Hot Springs

Murnion quintet leads Jordan to semifinals against Richie-Lambert

Mustangs are known for their wild and sometimes unruly behavior. And the Mustangs of Jordan were too tough to tame for the Hot Springs Savage Heat in the second round of the Class C 6-man football state playoffs on a cool and sometimes windy afternoon in Sanders County.

Red Ribbon Week focuses on preventing substance abuse

The battle against drugs and alcohol use among teenagers seems to finally be on a winning streak — with use holding steady at their lowest level in over two decades, according to a 2017 survey by the National Institute of Drug Abuse. The survey includes the attitudes among eighth-, 10th- and 12th-grade students across the nation and found, “a general decline in perceived risk of harm from using a number of substances and declining disapproval of people who use them.”

Clark Fork Lady Cats fall short of state tourney

The Western 13C District champion Clark Fork Lady Mountain Cats traveled to Manhattan Christian for Western C Divisionals on Nov. 1-3. The Cats faced Manhattan Christian in match 1 and were defeated, 25-11, 25-16, 25-14. On Friday, they faced Western C 14C District champion Plains, and lost in a five-set matchup: 25-22, 25-19, 15-25, 18-25, 15-10. The loss knocked the Lady Cats out of the tournament.