MONTE TURNER
Mineral Independent
Recent Stories
Locals compete at O-Mok-See Nationals
The rhythmic thunder of hooves and the cheers of proud families echoed through the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds as the 60th Annual National O-Mok-See Championship returned to its roots in Helena, where the National Saddle Clubs Association was founded.
Inspection station protects Western Montana waters
Montana’s Aquatic Invasive Species Early Detection and Monitoring Program has been in place since 2004. Early discovery allows Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologists to locate small or source AIS populations, while monitoring allows the agency to study existing population trends and investigate suspect findings.
Mineral County Fair offers a few new attractions
"Dusty Boots, Hometown Roots, and So Much More In the 54" has a friendly, welcoming title to it, which is the name of the 2025 Mineral County Fair and Superior LIONS Club ‘Go for the Gold Rodeo’ taking place July 31 through Aug. 2.
Dog rescue shelter marks a year in Mineral County
When Robert Harris moved from southern California to Superior last year, he brought some pups that were already in the care of the dog rescue group Rescuing Cujo and were in need of forever-homes.
Clark Fork SUP races draw elite paddlers
The growing pains of the Great Montana Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Sprint on the Clark Fork River have developed into a sanctioned event that attracted more local enthusiasts, families and professionals from all over the world last Saturday -- with a world champion registering under an alias name to avoid a rush of publicity.
Alberton celebrates its railroad heritage on Saturday
The founding of Alberton has its roots in the iconic Milwaukee Railroad, which began its quest for a route across America to the Pacific Coast in the early 1900s.
Alberton Panthers robotics team brings home silver medals
Rising ninth-grader Mahlon Manson and seventh-grader Varuna Peeblson of the Alberton Panthers robotics team brought home silver medals from the 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference held in Atlanta.
Great Montana SUP marks third year
"If you’re gonna be a bear, be a grizzly," is an old saying that means, "If you are going to do anything, do it the right way."
Bridge inspections planned west of St. Regis
The Montana Department of Transportation this month will be conducting bridge inspections west of St. Regis on I-90.
Legion volunteers maintain highway crosses
For 72 years, white crosses have stood as silent sentinels along Montana highways as reminders of lives lost in traffic accidents and warnings to those who pass by to "please drive carefully."
Food bank moves to temporary distribution site
When the Community Food Bank of Mineral County moved to their location of 45 Mullan Road West in Superior a few years ago, they understood that the building needed repairs.
Community representation a key attribute for rodeo princess
To be eligible to participate to become the Junior Rodeo Princess for the Superior LIONS Go for the Gold Rodeo at the Mineral County Fair, young ladies must be between 13 and 20 years of age.
Governor touts effort to streamline small-scale forestry work
A ceremonial signing of HB 79 took place last week at Big Sky Forest Products in St. Regis.
PHOTOS DeBorgia Schoolhouse Yard Sale and Flea Market
DeBorgia Schoolhouse Yard Sale and Flea Market
Summer reading and lunch program kicks off in Superior
Eva Horning Park in Superior has great family attractions with the playground, skate park, picnic tables with plenty of green space to burn off energy for kids. And during the summer it naturally becomes busier, especially with two programs that make the manicured property even more enjoyable.
PHOTO: Flag Day ceremony in St. Regis
Ray Welch American Legion Post 13 in St. Regis held a small flag retirement ceremony on Flag Day, Saturday, June 14 at their headquarters on Mill Creek Road. It was a solemn event but important to the membership for the honor in which they all had served their country. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
Vendors bring variety to the Alberton Community Farmers Market
If you don’t find exactly what you’re looking for at the Alberton Community Farmers Market this week, don’t worry, your favorite vendor might be back next time.
Stakeholders show off possibilities for Fish Creek recreation
Within days of the application deadline for Montana residents to be considered for a position on the new Fish Creek Collaborative, a ‘sort of’ VIP field trip took place.
Headwaters Foundation gives progress update in Superior
Headwaters Foundation was established in 2016 as a steward of community resources following the sale of Community Medical Center in Missoula, which led to the creation of its endowment.
Old Schoolhouse Rock Car Show revs up a big crowd
Dan Clemts may be the main Gearhead for the annual Old Schoolhouse Rock Car Show, but he is the first to point fingers and praise to all the volunteers, businesses and sponsors to make this a legendary event in Superior.
Jimmie Kelly is Going to the Nationals
The 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships is held each June in Grand Island, Nebraska, at the Heartland Public Shooting Park.
Jasper appointed to Board of Regents
The Board of Regents is charged with supervising, coordinating, managing and controlling the Montana University System.
Superior Outdoor School marks its 57th year
The Savenac Nursery in Haugan has a tremendous history and welcomes visitors, but this year it’s closed.
PHOTOS: Wild Horse Rendezvous
PHOTOS: Wild Horse Rendezvous
Health fair held at St. Regis School
St. Regis School Counselor Tyler Cheeseman explained the reasoning was behind their health fair last week.
Citizen group looks at recreation at Fish Creek
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking individuals to serve on the new Fish Creek Collaborative, a citizen advisory group that will help guide the development of a multi-use trail plan for the Fish Creek area in western Montana.
Cowboy action shooting loaded with fun
Cowboy action shooting -- also known as Western action shooting, single-action shooting, cowboy 3-gun, and Western 3-gun -- is a competitive shooting sport that originated in 1981.
PHOTO St. Regis Class of 2025
The St. Regis High School Class of 2025 celebrated their graduation on Sunday, May 18 with 16 seniors receiving diplomas.
Monitoring nest boxes offers insights in local bluebird population
Every spring, both mountain and western bluebirds return to Western Montana, delighting residents and nature lovers alike.
St. Regis hosts all-school fun run
At 9:48 a.m. on Thursday, May 8, all runners gathered on the playground to hear what was expected of them as participants and they were reminded that this was a fun event so they should enjoy themselves with the other runners.
Music students compete at state festival
The Superior High School music program has swelled in size and achievements since music teacher Debbie Merrill took over a few years ago.
PHOTO Stroots honored with small business award
Brent Donnelly, Small Business Association district director, and Justin Everette, SBA regional administer, straddle Jerry Stroot owner of Superior Meats and recipient of the Small Business Person of Montana. Jerry and his wife, Sandy's children and their spouses were in attendance with representatives from Gov. Greg Gianforte, Sen. Steve Daines, Sen. Tim Sheehy and Rep. Zinke offices. State Sen. Denley Loge spoke on his long and rewarding relationship with Superior Meats while customers and friends enjoyed lunch inside the retail section of the meat processing facility on Friday. May 4-10 was National Small Business Week.
Superior students create mural for hospital
For the past four years, Superior Elementary School has participated in National Small Business Week, held this year from May 4–10, with a student-led service-learning project.
Mineral County transit hub adds new 12-passenger bus
Near Mineral Community Hospital along I-90, a new transit facility for the Mineral County Pioneer Council is under construction. The project is on county land leased by the Mineral County Commissioners, whose agreement enabled full federal funding.
I-90 bridges inspected near Superior
During May, the Montana Department of Transportation will be conducting bridge inspections on I-90. Inspections will be conducted on 13 bridges near Alberton and Superior, between mile markers 53 and 70.
Performing Arts Council Spring Gala features Pollo Loco
It was an experiment when a group in Mineral County sponsored a set of informal concerts in 2007, and the public enthusiasm was what they had hoped would happen.
Native American Culture Day held at Superior Schools
Superior history teachers Chris Clairmont and Vicky Nytes attended the Montana History Conference last September, where they learned about the Traveling Medicine Show, a program from the Glacier Art Museum.
Superior begins upgrades to sewer system
The town of Superior’s long-awaited sewer system improvement project is officially in motion, with construction that began in March and scheduled for completion by November of this year.
Construction season begins on I-90 near Exit 5
As a reminder, the bridge construction on I-90 between 9-Mile and Alberton is done, with smooth driving over the two bridges that were rebuilt in the last two summers.
Simulation in motion trains first responders in Mineral County
Simulation in Motion-Montana, based in Bozeman, operates statewide, with employees living in the communities they serve, all dedicated to improving emergency health care.
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.
Blood pressure kits available for check out
The State Library has distributed blood pressure kits to libraries across Montana, and the Mineral County Public Library is now offering these kits for checkout.
United Methodist Church plans another 'fixer upper'
The story of the United Methodist Church in Superior began in the fall of 1913.
Fundraising for Tarkio fire station starts anew
Josh Pecora, captain of the Tarkio Volunteer Fire Station, spoke to a group of local residents on DNRC land where a new fire station was initially planned to be built three years ago.
Superior Meats owner honored by Small Business Association
Jerry Stroot, the owner of Superior Meats, has been named Montana’s Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Superior students stand out in Missoula writing contest
The Missoula Writes Contest, established in 2008 by the Missoula Public Library, was designed to inspire writers of all ages across Montana.
New game warden excited to explore Mineral County's outdoors
Growing up in Helena, Cody Stipcich thoroughly enjoyed hunting and fishing with his dad, but becoming a game warden was not a childhood dream.
Local legislators ride on BNSF's Blue Jean Special
St. Regis resident Curtis Cochran may be a freshman with the Montana House of Representatives, but he hit the ground running, long before January when the session began.
Local greenhouse already sprouting veggies and flowers
If you have been waiting to start your plants indoors, you are almost behind schedule as Milton Pearce started planting about two weeks ago.
Piatigorsky Foundation performance in Superior April 10
The Mineral County Performing Arts Council is a non-profit organization that has been bringing talented artists since 2007 to a wide array of musical venues.