Setting sail for Alaskan adventures in science

ST. REGIS – Education and fun will be combined as the St. Regis Science Club explores the final frontier during an Alaskan cruise this May. The trip is being called North to Alaska 2014 and will be done through Holland America Cruise line. The 22 kids and 18 adults will go on the cruise from May 3-10. This makes up approximately half the science club, which is open to students in grades seven through 12. The students will be expected to take advantage of the learning opportunities presented by the cruise. The glory of the great outdoors, from the Alaskan and Canadian tundra to the depths of the Pacific Ocean, will become a classroom as the group searches the area for knowledge. The students will examine everything from the formation of the area’s landmass to the history and culture of the native tribes. “We’ll see a lot of stuff,” said Chris West, the science teacher at St. Regis. “We’ll see whales, dolphins, bears and all kinds of things. We’ll see different people and cultures, it’ll be fun.” The cruise’s television will be another outlet for the kids to learn. The students will need to follow a program, which gives information about the water conditions around the ship. They will also catalogue information about each port as well as everything they see and learn. The kids will be busy throughout the trip. They will meet every day so the group can catch up and talk about what they did. West got the idea for the cruise after she took the senior class on a similar trip last year. The positive feedback gave her the idea for this year’s trip. “I got to thinking ‘I want to do this with my science club,’” West said. She got in touch with the cruise director from last year’s trip and started planning a new one. They were able to get a small discount this year by putting four people in each room. To cover the high cost of a cruise for 40 people, the students held fundraisers. The classes sold cookie dough, candy and had a bake sale. Some students held their own bake sales or ran booths at bazaars in their own fundraising efforts. Donations to the club were also able to help the students with the costs. A grand total of $450 was needed for each student’s ticket while adults needed $812 for theirs. Another step was needed before going as everyone needed a passport to enter international waters and Canadian ports. As a source of more chaperones, a few students will be going with their whole family. To add to the list of chaperones, according to West, seventh graders are only allowed to go on the cruise if a parent or guardian accompanies them. Fundraising for the trip began around October 2012. Some students contributed to the fund but graduated before the trip. While some students were upset they could not go, everyone in the science club understood the money would be pooled together to support the group. For some of the seniors, the money they raised was set aside in an account. After graduating they were able to request the money go to pay another student’s way on the trip. West said the student could usually nominate who got the money. For the last 11 years, the club has gone on a trip. In the past they have gone to the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park and Redwood National Park. They have also explored the length of the country by traveling down the Pacific Coastline. These trips are a big benefit to the student’s education, but the trips have also touched their lives. Growing up in a small community some kids do not always get to explore beyond the mountains of Mineral County. These trips give them a valuable chance to see and learn about the greater world around them. One student went on the trip and had never been out of the mountains. West said he was awe struck by how far he could see without the mountains around him. “He had never been out of the mountains here and just had never been anywhere,” West said. “That really got to me…It’s a chance for these kids to see something of the world.”

Rehwalt 'Ray' Eric Jorgenson, 95

Rehwalt ‘Ray’ Eric Jorgenson passed away Jan. 28, 2017, in the Seattle area. Ray was born Feb. 7, 1921, in Portland, Oregon, to Melissa Rehwalt Jorgenson and Eric Jorgenson.

Science club reflects on Alaskan cruise

ST. REGIS – It has been nearly three weeks since the St. Regis Science Club went north to Alaska, yet the group is still talking about their adventure.

FFA takes away wings from local flyer

It’s a bright Friday afternoon, and Tom Seliga is putting together a six foot long model airplane that can soar over 400 feet in the air and fly as far as the eye can see. But unfortunately, Seliga and his plane have been grounded.

Airport Board looks to expand business potential

SUPERIOR – The Mineral County Airport Board believes bringing three-phase power to the Superior area would have huge benefits to the businesses and economy of the area. They have begun plans to make this a reality. According to Kevin Chamberlain, a member of the board and Montana State University extension agent, three-phase power is one of the most common types of power used in industrial work. It uses three conductors to carry three separate alternating currents. It also generates more power. Where most households use single-phase power, three-phase could run an entire multiple-unit apartment block with power to spare. Chamberlain said it was often used by businesses to run big machinery. There have been discussions of bringing three-phase power to the area around the airport. Chamberlain felt this would be good for the area because the power’s presence could be used as a draw to bring new businesses in. He said there was the possibility of building an industrial park to expand the area’s businesses and the economy as a whole. “First thing businesses look for is natural gas, which we don’t have anywhere in the county,” Chamberlain said. “The second thing they look at is do you have three-phase power at the site?” There is already three-phase power in some parts of the county, such as St. Regis. However, these places are already occupied by other businesses. Chamberlain felt building an industrial park would be a good solution. He said there had been a couple businesses who looked at Superior and the airport area as a possible location for their business. Three-phase power was an important factor in their search. Chamberlain said the lack of it in Superior led the businesses to decide against relocating to the area. The overall goal is to provide a place for people to do business. Alternatively, local businesses could move into the park and take advantage of the power. The airport board felt the benefits of upgrading the power in the area made it worthwhile to open discussions with the commissioners and the Federal Aviation Administration. The groups would then discuss what could be done in the area and the potential to develop an industrial park. While the project is being arranged by the airport board, there will be no changes to the airport itself. Chamberlain explained the airport was there to be used for aircraft operations and nothing else. The areas nearby could still be used for other businesses. “The whole point of what we’re trying to do is provide a place for someone to do business,” Chamberlain said. He said the board could not estimate a timeline of progress on the project. Because everything needs to fit into the FAA’s policies and guidelines, all aspects need to be reviewed to see if they comply with regulations. As a result, it would be awhile before any projections could be made. Chamberlain said it was tough to bring new business to the area because conditions were far from ideal. Because of the difficulties, Chamberlain felt anything they could do to make things easier was worth it. The airport board has spoken with the Mineral County Commissioners and other organizations to get funds for the project. They are currently working with the Department of Commerce to get grant money. The board hopes to have a grant application ready to submit by April.

Airport to receive boost

The BitterRoot Economic Development District, Inc (BREDD), the federally designated economic development district for Western Montana Region covering Ravalli, Mineral, and Missoula counties, was awarded $627,000 of grant money from a U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to help communities in Montana create jobs and boost local economies.

Commissioners discuss next steps to create airport master plan

The BitterRoot Economic Development District, Inc (BREDD), the federally designated economic development district for Western Montana Region covering Ravalli, Mineral, and Missoula counties, was awarded $627,000 of grant money from a U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to help communities in Montana create jobs and boost local economies.

Airport plans fly-in

Old-time street cruise helps Superior combat COVID isolation

Gas is cheap, food is primarily drive-through style, and the only place to catch up with neighbors is at the post office.

Approval granted on driveway length

SUPERIOR – Among other business in the monthly two-part meeting, the County Commissioners were joined by the public to discuss concerns with a proposed subdivision.

Helicopters stand ready to fight area wildfires

Helicopters of various sizes and shapes sit ready at the Mineral County Airport near Superior. Six have been called in to-date to help fight the Sunrise and Burdette fires burning east of Superior. With a moment’s notice any one of them will spring into action and make the trek to the fires.

Soaring in for breakfast

PLAINS – Bright and early Saturday the roar of propeller driven engines could be heard overhead throughout the town of Plains as pilots from across the region dropped by for the annual Fly-In Breakfast.

Utility coming to Superior

SUPERIOR – An idea over a decade in the making is finally coming to fruition in Mineral County after federal grant money was allocated last week to providing a type of power source it is hoped will entice businesses to make the county their future home.

More information on the issue of airport hangar leases

In response to the letter to the editor from Gerald Geske complaining about the decision of the Mineral County Commissioners and County Attorney concerning his “ground lease” at the Mineral County Airport in Superior, we offer the following reply:

Mineral County Airport Board begins FAA grant process

The Mineral County Airport Board was present at the Friday meeting of the Mineral County Commissioners meeting to receive approval on an engineering firm.

Danielle's column: What to plan for when your mother comes to visit

I seem to have taken a hiatus from column writing the past few weeks, but there have been more important things going on around the county needing press other than my own meandering thoughts.

Plains airport earns award

PLAINS – The Plains Airport recently received recognition from the Montana Pilots Association for contributions towards promoting aviation in Montana.

Postal Service abruptly ended negotiations with Alpine Air in Montana

The U.S. Postal Service abruptly stopped air service in Montana this week even after Alpine Air, its air cargo contractor in the state, offered a roughly $3 million reduction in its contract, according to the company CEO.

Rep. Loge provides information from Transportation Interim Committee

Some other topics of discussion for future meetings are the electric vehicle increased use and a form of registration to pay for the road use cost, similar to the gas tax.

EPA Superfun nears completion

SUPERIOR – The Environmental Protection Agency presented a final update to the County Commissioners on the Superfund cleanup of mine waste in Superior.