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Mineral Independent
Recent Stories
Award-winning author to talk about her novel at Superior library
Celebrated author Leslie Budewitz returns to the Mineral County Library in Superior on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. to talk about her latest book "The Real-Life Mary Fields."
Cyr Bridge on Highway 10 reopens
When the Montana Department of Transportation reported that the Cyr Bridge off I-90 would be closed all summer, they weren’t fibbing.
Field burn offers firefighters a chance to train
A recent planned burn in Tarkio on Jim and Mary Jo Lommen’s property was considered a a win-win.
PHOTOS: Superior homes go spooky for Halloween
Superior residents dress up their homes for a spooky Halloween.
Mineral County prepares for Election Day
Mineral County Clerk and Recorder Kelann McLees (left) and Deputy Clerk and Recorder Kasey Feasel are accepting absentee ballots and gearing up for Election Day. Registered voters can request an absentee ballot until noon on Nov. 4 or vote at the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5. McLees and Feasel are available to answer any questions regarding the upcoming election.
County attorney explains water rights notice
The Montana Water Court recently issued a decree for the Clark Fork River between the confluences of the Blackfoot and Flathead rivers which goes through most of Mineral and Sanders counties.
Jazz Legacy Project to perform in Alberton, Superior
Mineral County students and the public will have the chance to take in a jazz concert and music appreciation class later this month.
County airport names Silverman as new manager
Mineral County commissioners on Friday approved the recommendation of Jim Silverman for the Mineral County Airport manager and chairman of the board of directors.
Group discusses natural resources in western Montana
The Mineral County Resource Coalition is a diverse group of citizens who find resolutions to the complex issues facing natural resource management on public lands in Mineral County and other areas in western Montana.
Fundraiser supports 'everyone’s favorite garbageman'
Lyle Batt grew up in Frenchtown and he is one of those guys that everyone loves.
PHOTO: Alberton Homecoming Pep Rally
During the Alberton School Homecoming Pep Rally, one challenge was having teams compete to see which class could gather the most balls when released on the gymnasium floor.
Baked goods on the rise at Senior Center
If at 3 a.m. you see the lights on at the Superior Senior Citizens Center don't be alarmed but be ready for fresh baked goods.
Alberton's McKenna Akane honored for 'impactful teaching'
McKenna Akane has earned an Outstanding Teacher Award from Project Lead The Way, which recognizes teachers who inspire, engage and empower their students with transformative classroom learning experiences.
Laura Acker honored as Parent Educator of the Year
Laura Acker grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota and was the tenth of 11 children. She and her husband, Josh, moved to Alberton in 2004 and she is a parent educator with the Mineral County Health Department.
Plan for ADA services in rural areas under review
In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act became federal law which was meant to be an immediate game-changer for people with disabilities.
Mineral County Help Line prepares for fall bazaar
The Mineral County Helpline is a nonprofit organization that started in 1990 to focus on domestic violence and sexual assault victims.
Farmers market has full harvest of offerings
Peggy Stewart is finishing up her 16th summer as market manager of the Superior Saturday Market held on the old Superior School lawn along River Street.
Gianforte recognizes Army veteran Paul Manson
Gov. Greg Gianforte last week presented the 2023 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation to Army veteran Mahlon ‘Paul’ Manson at the Military Veterans Memorial on Railroad Avenue in Alberton.
First phase of 1,000-yard range in Mineral County underway
The Mineral County Shooting Sports Association recently received $80.000 from the Montana FWP Shooting Range Development Grant Program for Phase 1 of its 1,000-yard range.
Superior home destroyed in fire
The home of David and Gala Rice on Riverbend Road in Superior was destroyed by fire early Saturday afternoon. The Superior Volunteer Fire Department and Lolo Nation Forest firefighters contained the fire, and no one was injured. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
Pew: Late summer is skunk season in Montana
Yes, there are more skunks killed on roads in late summer than any other time of year. It’s not your imagination.
Labor Day weekend ideal for a river float
The unofficial end of summer could not have been better weatherwise.
Sheehy says deadly Afghanistan withdrawal prompted his run for Senate
Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy spoke to around 100 people in the St. Regis Senior Citizens Center last week.
Long-term care residents enjoy Hawaiian luau
The weather for the Return of the Luau was ideal for the residents and family members of the Long-Term Care Facility of Mineral Community Hospital.
New Alberton superintendent ready for school year
Alberton School District this school year welcomes Monte Silk as the new superintendent.
Poet Laureate to speak at Superior library
Chris La Tray is a Métis storyteller. He is a descendent of the Pembina Band of the mighty Red River of the North and he is an enrolled member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
Golf tourney to benefit hospital foundation
The Mineral County Medical Foundation is the fundraising arm for Mineral Community Hospital. The foundation has its own volunteer board of directors (and are looking for more currently) while they work in step with the hospital board of directors and CEO.
Locals embrace the friendly 'driver's wave'
The Rural Shake. A Cowboy Salute. The Drivers Wave. It has several names, but it’s acknowledging the driver coming from the other direction usually on a frontage road or on Main Street if it’s not busy.
History tour explores Cedar Creek ghost town
On Saturday, Sept. 7, one of the most popular historical field trips is taking place.
Volunteers descend on St. Regis River for clean up effort
The Buddy Spangler Memorial River Clean Up, held Saturday, Aug. 18, was a massive success, organizers say.
Rural transportation program needs drivers for new hub
As many years as the Mineral County Pioneer Council has been in operation, numerous people are unfamiliar with the program.
Cabin Fever Quilters Guild breaks its own record
While Paris was hosting the 2024 Olympics, records were being broken at the Mineral County Cabin Fever Quilters 23rd Annual Quilt Show.
No bull: Mechanical bull riding championships come to Haugan
In 1980, the hit movie "Urban Cowboy" made mechanical bull riding popular.
Mineral County solicits survey on wildfire plan
A Community Wildfire Protection Plan is designed to assist the county and property owners in mitigating wildfire risk by assessing areas at risk and recommending measures to decrease those risks.
Fire safety team visits Mineral County
Federal, state, tribal and local fire personnel are encouraging residents and visitors to take precaution to prevent human-caused wildfires and to be aware of fire restrictions in place.
Sheriff makes case for raising deputy wages
The cost of living is stretching wallets, but for the men and women doing their best to make public safety a top priority in the county, it is taking a toll.
Superior recycling program races funding shortfall
There is a danger of the recycling program in Superior of shutting down due to the lack of adequate donations to cover the costs for the bin pulls.
Locals get a look at I-90 bridge projects
Fall, winter, spring and road construction are Montana’s four seasons, many will tease. But summer is when the big projects must take place, so the rule of thumb is to plan for the commute to take longer.
Food bank seeks donations for new building
This weekend is possibly the time when more people come to County 54 with the Mineral County Fair taking place.
Berneking is Grand Marshal, Duncan is Fair Lady
This is really a real honor and a privilege to be the grand marshal,” said Herman Berneking. “They had a lot of people to choose from and I’m humbled they chose me.”
Clark Fork Trout guide shop has a new owner
Steve and Peggy Temple purchased Clark Fork Trout from Brooks Sanford about 10 years ago. They grew the business into a highly respected fishing guide service predicated on customer service with amazing fishing experiences.
Volunteers take on Heart Lake trail maintenance
One of the more popular hikes in Lolo National Forest follows the South Fork Trout Creek to Heart Lake and then Pearl Lake in a cirque basin.
Locals reflect on the beginnings of the fair and rodeo
The Mineral County Fair and Rodeo has been the premier three days of socializing for at least 50 years, with this year's edition set for Aug. 1-3.
Superior Cemetery gets upgrades
The land for the Superior Cemetery up Flat Creek was donated by A.P. Johnson, who is considered the "father" of Superior by many residents.
River Street Festival floats on this weekend
The second annual River Street Festival Great Montana SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) Sprint is next up for family excitement in Mineral County. The name has become larger, but then the event has certainly grown in accordance.
Sales pick up at Saltese Swap Meet
The weather was ideal and the mix of vendors had the shoppers/browsers thoroughly entertained at the Saltese Swap Meet and Flea Market last week.
Church celebrates local couple's long marriage
They met at the Missoula Mercantile in 1955.
Gail Lewis selected as featured quilter
“I saw it on Pinterest,” is often heard as Gail Lewis displays her colorful pieces of art at the of the Mineral County Cabin Fever Quilters Guild monthly meetings.
Superior sandwich shop settles into new location
Longtime Superior residents recall KC Sullivan Management/Tax Preparation, The Strand Theater, The Rocking Rodeo Bar & Grille, and Sully’s on the 100 block of River Street.
Road work begins on highways 200 and 135
Montana 135 between St. Regis and Paradise is a 21.5-mile-long route known as the cut-off road. From 1960 to 1978, it was a connection between U.S. 10 and US 10A and later Montana 200.