CHUCK BANDEL
Valley Press
Recent Stories
Red Devils romp in six-man season opener
When it rains it pours is a well-worn adage that implies when things start rolling, look out.
Brown leads Noxon in volleyball win
There are monster games and there are monster games. Almost always, but not always, the team with a monster game comes out on top.
Mission notches big win over Plains
Two things emerged from Friday night’s 58-6 Mission win over Plains in a Montana High School 8-man football game.
Highwood trips Hot Springs, 32-18
For most of the game between visiting Hot Springs and home-standing Highwood, it looked like it would be a last man standing kind of thing.
Hawks show grit among 11-man ranks in loss to Townsend
It was an expected hurdle for the Thompson Falls High football team.
Plenty of talent on display as Superior tops St. Regis in opener
Football is often a hard game to figure. A few truths remain constant however.
Core of seniors lead Plains football
Nowhere, perhaps, is there more intrigue to open a football season than there is at Plains High School.
Lady Bobcats volleyball returns four seniors
As is the case in other sports, an infusion of youth in volleyball can be the cure for the loss of successful senior leadership.
Superior Bobcats primed and ready for 8-man season
There is a quiet, but strong, sense of confidence around this year’s version of the Superior High Bobcats football team.
Tigers shift to bi-state arrangement this season
St. Regis coach Jesse Allan was made for coaching.
Savage Heat field quick and tough roster
It will seem different for sure on the football field at Hot Springs High this year.
Reigning champs move to 11-man football
After coming off the top of the pile last season, Thompson Falls High football coach Jared Koskela will have a new, more daunting challenge this year.
Seaplanes take a break at Lake Mary Ronan
More than a dozen float planes of various size and makes were on display Saturday morning at Lake Mary Ronan, much to the delight of the group of spectators.
Huckleberry Festival: Full bellies, fun times
Judging of huckleberry jams and jellies, as well as a huckleberry Dessert Contest were the main attractions on Sunday at the Huckleberry Festival.
Plains' Mikiah Cook leads state 4-H Ambassador Team
Mikiah Cook is not your average “politician.”
Church expels Paradise sewer board over gun incident
In a story that already has nearly as many twists and turns as the Idaho side of Lolo Pass, add a new hairpin corner to the Paradise Sewer saga.
Alberton High brings back varsity sports
The Mineral County high school sports field is about to gain another set of “Cats”.
Rodeo packs the arena at Mineral County Fair
Not many things in life say “summer” more than a rodeo.
Lawnmower races rule Wild Coyote summer celebration
Corey Frank already had it wrapped up. He had successfully won his time trials and heats and was in effect the champion lawn mower racer of the day.
New Plains store equips rock hounds
Mining is a whole lot of knowledge mixed with a helping of persistence and topped off, often, by good old fashioned luck.
Dixon 4-H'ers set the pace at livestock exhibits
There are all kinds of things most people think they will never see. Add sheep on a treadmill to the list.
Riverdogs manager Zigler steps down
Almost every coach, when asked what he or she likes best about the role, will get a distant look in their eyes as they reflect on this most important of tasks.
Neighbors rally to rescue doe stuck upside down in ditch
Maybe, just maybe, someone thought if you plant a deer upside down it will no doubt grow into a new deer.
Hot Springs teacher wins grueling 100-mile race
Lots of people don’t even like to drive 100 miles.
Plains schools donates van to veterans program
For the longtime servant of Plains Public Schools, it was an inglorious last ride across the campus parking lot.
Superior heptathlete Reese earns trip to national meet
The legacy continues to grow for Superior High School track and field standout Sorren Reese.
Paradise: Water District resolution seeks to recoup funds
Saddle up friends and foes, dudes and dudettes, there’s more riding to do and some potentially hazardous trails to head down.
Riverdogs fall in semifinals of season finale tourney
Anyone who has ever played fetch the stick at a local pond or lake with a retriever or other kind of “water” dog knows how tough and relentless these dogs can be.
Dogs sweep Mariners in Legion action
Baseball is an amazing game. One day you are mired in a slump where you can’t hit the barn door with both hands. A couple days later ...
Blackfoot Communications lays underground fiber optic cables
Infrastructure changes other than highways and bridge repair and building are underway throughout Sanders County and western Montana.
Noxon celebrates Independence Day
Famed American artist and illustrator Norman Rockwell would probably have loved every minute of the 2022 Noxon Fourth of July party.
Riverdogs snare signature win at Kalispell tourney
How about them Dogs? They keep battling and overcoming, and taking on all comers.
Riverdogs drop two in Legion homestand
Saturday’s three-team Legion baseball gathering at Amundson Sports Complex was in many ways a microcosm of the host Clark Fork Riverdogs’ 2022 season.
Plains resident uses mini-truck to amplify his political views
The older model Daihatsu pickup is hard to miss as it glides along the streets of Plains.
Miss Montana makes stop at Thompson Falls
Impressive is an understatement when describing the C-47/DC-3 aircraft known as the “Miss Montana.”
Riverdogs hang tough at Whitefish wood bat tourney
They most often play against teams from much bigger population areas, which means a deeper player pool in which to dive.
Roadside fountain closed due to bacteria concerns
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water... Paradise II, coming to a theater near you soon.
Kids learn fire safety at Plains Fire Department
If you squint hard and maybe stick your tongue out of the side of your mouth it makes it easier to hold on to the high pressure fire hose and direct its powerful spray of water toward the simulated flames of the target.
Circus packs the big top in Thompson Falls
If big smiles on little faces are any indication, you can say the circus has changed over the years, but the spirit of the circus lives on.
Board scraps Paradise sewer project; assures water is safe
More than a decade ago, a representative of an engineering company reportedly came to town with ominous warnings about the sorry and deteriorating state of Paradise drinking water.
Cornhole Festival raised funds for Project Ascension
The object is simple: put the bean bag in the hole on the sloped, ramp-like board and score three points.
Sheriff candidate decries campaign attacks
Politics, as most Americans unfortunately realize all too well, is a dog-eat-dog type business.
Riverdogs rack up runs in double-header with Sox
It would have been a bad day to be an insect living under home plate at Amundson Park in Plains this past Sunday.
Driving blind: ATV teams take on T-Falls course blindfolded
One sure fire way to ruin a day’s pleasure drive is to have the dreaded “back-seat driver” in the vehicle.
McAllister and Lawson shine at 6-man all-star game
Throughout their years playing for the Hot Springs Savage Heat, now graduated seniors Jack McAllister and Kyle Lawson were often the two best players on the football field.
Memorial Day ceremonies in Plains
From atop the serene hillside on which the Plains Cemetery sits, a sweeping view of the Clark Fork Valley unfolds below.
Riverdogs' bats heat up in Bitterroot
As baseball fans know, there are two basic functions to winning games: pitching and hitting.
Paradise sewer board rejects county offer
Thanks, but no thanks.
Plains holds barbecue to celebrate last day of school
For lunch: 450 hamburgers and hot dogs, chips, sodas/water, fruit and more.
Local athletes bring home hardware from state track
Imagine holding an event with 17 different things happening, and often several of those things at the same time.