MONTE TURNER
Mineral Independent
Recent Stories
Missing woman's mother not happy with search effort
Officials have said that all signs of Barsotti’s disappearance point to a drowning, but Barsotti’s family feels there were gaps and delays in the investigation.
Twenty-five years of Block Management Access in Montana
This formally started in 1985 and then greatly expanded in 1996. It’s a cooperative program between private landowners and FWP which helps landowners manage hunting activities on their property.
Deadline nears for Women in Timber/LIONS gift program
Each basket will consist of food for a traditional Christmas dinner and a wrapped present for each child in the family. But the deadline to sign up is Monday, Dec. 6 and late applications will not be accepted.
Trout Creek woman recalls life on and off reservation
She recently shared her life's story with Clark Fork Valley Press reporter Monte Turner.
Plains 4-H shooting sports coaches retire
Mike Blake turns 82 pretty soon and is stepping down from being the trap shooting coach for the Plains 4-H Shooting Sports Program after nine years.
St. Regis School continues Veterans Day breakfast tradition
Derek Larson, St. Regis music teacher and newly appointed School Superintendent, proudly waved his baton as the student musicians were clearly enjoying themselves.
Uncovering the mystery of Pete Redcrow's spring
Just west of the Corona Divide on Corona Road, or U.S. Forest Service Trail 1025, one will see an official sign that reads: REDCROW SPG. IN MEMORY OF PETE REDCROW.
Officials weigh Montana-Idaho border line move
Denley Loge, House District Representative 14 and a rancher in St. Regis, has poked the bear long enough to have this corrected.
A small, but meaningful gesture
A 50/50 was held with half of the money going to help with breast cancer research and the other half to a lucky individual who purchased a ticket that evening.
America's Sweethearts come to Superior
A trio of New York City-based ladies delighted an audience recently.
Cash available for Sanders Co. junk car removal
A den for feral cats, packrats, skunks and other ill wanted animals we’d rather not have to deal with near our homes.
Nine Mile Community hosts apple cider festival
It’s a festive party that marks the definite arrival of fall by making apples the center of attention.
Mineral Co. Resource Committee talks mill closing
More campsites will be discussed for the Quartz and Sloway Campgrounds, and it appears the on-line reservation campsite program is working well.
Joint Operation Mariposa brings awareness to suicide prevention
Twenty-two veterans take their lives by suicide every day in the United States and September was National Suicide Prevention Month.
Old DeBorgia Schoolhouse crew bakes up a storm
The assembly line in the Old DeBorgia Schoolhouse worked the same amount of time but as volunteers, however, their perks were laughter, ribbing, homemade fudge and banana bread as they cranked out about 75 apple pies last Thursday.
Mineral Co. Commissioners vote to join passenger rail authority
The behemoth cost of the project is where most conversations of this venture ends.
Veterans Service Officer returns to Mineral County
If you need a ride for a medical appointment, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) will chauffer you to them free of charge in their vehicles as far away as Ft. Harrison near Helena.
Superior Community Church welcomes new minister
Levi and Tami Durfey first arrived in Superior to preach on Sunday, May 23.
FWP seeks to simplify hunting regulations
But this year, FWP will tackle more significant changes such as combining hunting districts and simplifying license structures.
I-90 Watercraft inspection station last line of defense in Montana
Bruce Nixon is from Alberton and Terry Pond comes from Plains. Both have been working 12-hour shifts for $14.79 an hour all summer looking for trespassers.
Sanders County communities mark 20th anniversary of 9/11
In Thompson Falls and Plains last weekend, both communities took time to remember those who perished in the attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001.
IFG says lawsuits derailed St. Regis lumber mill
Willy Peck, Outreach Forester for Idaho Forest Group, said the closure grabbed him by surprise.
Superior skatepark work underway; pool drive still alive
The success of that skate park may have been the catalyst of the final push for Superior, because over the past three years, there has been a fund-raising effort to build one there.
Mineral County Sheriff Toth juggles management of the office
Toth had been a deputy for the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office before going to the Seattle Police Department and had always wanted to return.
Wild game meat care in warm weather
For those who are successful, they could have a serious challenge once the trigger is pulled.
War veteran receives warm welcome in Superior
Waters retired as a Colonel from the U.S. Army in 2017 after 30 years.
Mullan Road conference returns to St. Regis
The annual Mullan Road Conference returns to its birthplace as the original gathering was held when the John Mullan statue in St. Regis was rededicated in 1989.
McKay takes reins as St. Regis School begins new year
Parents and guardians have already gotten the kids out the door and have received information from Principal Shaun Ball.
Mineral County Crisis Mapping Workshop seeks to help others
With that in mind, on July 20, multiple Mineral County agencies participated in a Crisis Mapping Workshop put on by the Healthy Communities Coalition.
Mineral County Sheriff's Office honors man for life-saving efforts
At this point, Drazen stepped in and tried to diffuse the situation with the impaired patron by quietly talking with him, but to no avail.
Church members in Superior not happy with property damage
Sometime during the evening of Aug. 6, the rope fence around the immaculate lawn at Trinity Lutheran Church on 6th Avenue and Pike Street in Superior was taken down.
Mineral County Youth Shooting Sports Cornhole Tournament Aug. 14
The tournament starts at about 11 a.m. and should be finishing up at 6 p.m. They will have burgers, hot dogs, water and Gatorade on site for purchase.
Mineral Pharmacy is a family business
Andi and Justin Holmes have kinfolk behind the counters in all their locations.
Alberton School changing model of teaching
Without a doubt, this past year of education has been the most challenging for students, teachers, administrators and parents.
Living Water Worship Center plans kids' giveways at county fair
Ten brand new bikes, eight fishing poles, four tents, four skateboards, four sleeping bags, eight scooters...
DeBorgia Cemetery columbarium dedication set for Aug. 11
But this 1.5 acre resting place is well kept with an underground sprinkler system that works like a champ...
Thorne Creek Fire official lost her home in Colorado blaze
Olson is also the assistant fire chief in Grand Lake, Colorado, which has approximately 30 volunteers and 5 full time employees.
Red Pill Festival touts need for changes in America
The Red Pill Festival in the St. Regis Community Park opened with the singing of the National Anthem followed by a prayer.
Mineral County Treasure: Cabin Fever Quilting Guild
It’s not that the Cabin Fever Quilting Guild has leisure time to practice their art, but they do it because they are passionate, and they make the time to quilt together.
Passport in Time volunteers keep historic Savenac Nursery pristine
Keeping this treasure in pristine condition comes mostly from volunteers, with the lion's share of help from Passport in Time.
'Better Together" seeks equality, inclusion
Magone organized the event after reading about the Red Pill Festival taking place in the same location Saturday, July 24.
Alberton residents dive into storage container home build
John and Elena are not manufacturers, contractors or plumbers. They’re not electricians, roofers or have much knowledge in pouring cement.
Songbird, hummingbird feeders need care in extreme heat
If you are a feeder of birds, this unusual heat is a red flag.
Families enjoy Savenac fishing derby
The weather could not have been better for the annual Kids Fishing Derby held at the Savenac Historic Tree Nursery.
Mineral County Library shares "Tails and Tales" in Superior
Invited guests will bring an animal for the group to meet as an explanation of the species will be shared and then an age-appropriate book will be read to them, usually about the critter.
Plains artist Williams to be featured in documentary
Dave Williams served in the U.S. Navy from 1980-1984 and will tell you that where he is today is not what he wanted, but it’s where he is meant to be.
Locals welcome return of West End yard sale
Since the mask mandate ended and social distancing was removed, a pattern has emerged.
Plains artist plays by her own rules
Paulsen grew up in central Minnesota and then spent 20 years living in various areas in Southeast Alaska.
Mineral Co. driver's education teachers are dedicated
To become a certified driver's education instructor, there is a big commitment to make and an even larger amount of studying and testing.
State biologist shares elk, deer survey results
We’ve added some extra opportunity to harvest cow elk...