MONTE TURNER
Mineral Independent
Recent Stories
Mineral County Chamber reboots with first meeting
About 24 business owners, community members, retired residents and a few new faces attended a recent meeting of the Mineral County Chamber of Commerce, which is reopening after years of dormancy.
Chili cookoff draws support for West End fire department
With so many activities going on in St. Regis and at the taverns in Saltese and DeBorgia last Saturday, West End Volunteer Department Fire Chief Frank Magee was very appreciative of the turnout for the second Chili Cookoff.
Popular Alberton watering hole reopens under new ownership
The business news in the county travels at record speed or at the pace of a glacier — but the Sportsman’s Bar in Alberton has sold.
LifeFlight drops in to DeBorgia for training day
LifeFlight from Missoula made a flight to DeBorgia for the West End Volunteer Fire Department and St. Regis Volunteer Fire Department to train first-responders on landing zones and the safety on hot and standard loading procedures.
Superior students invited to participate in All-Stars Band Festival
Debbie Merrill is the band instructor for the Superior School District and is very proud of every one of her students, especially the four who were recently invited to participate in the All-Stars Band Festival.
Ornelas honored for work on DUI Task Force
Montana has 36 approved county-level DUI Task Forces serving 39 counties. Officials say effective DUI task forces are an important mechanism for decreasing the state's alcohol-related injury and fatality rates.
Idaho Forest Group auctions off remaining equipment
In 1890 the Northern Pacific Railroad was built through Western Montana, and in 1897 the first large lumber mill was built at St. Regis.
Bridge deck work progresses east of Alberton
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, there are four conditions before the weather can be classified as an "Indian summer."
Mineral County reduces school property tax mills
Mineral County Commissioners on Oct. 12 voted 2 to 1 to reduce the amount of state school property taxes it plans to collect, a move that falls in line with many other counties across the state.
Mineral County sets new commissioner districts
On Thursday, the Mineral County Commissioners voted unanimously to accept the updated county district lines. The districts are examined every 10 years, and with more growth occurring in the Missoula area, the east end of Mineral County is becoming more populated. This adjustment takes into account future growth which is only a prediction.
St. Regis tapped to take part in $1 billion hydrogen project
St. Regis Solar Hydrogen (SRSH2) has been selected to begin award negotiations as part of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations development of the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub involving Washington, Oregon and Montana.
Old Superior Schoolhouse changes ownership
People in the area know that George and Liz Gupton have carried a heavy load as the owners of the Old Superior School on River Street.
Drew Hanson to lead chamber of commerce resurrection
A chamber of commerce is a nonprofit association of businesses organized to promote and protect the interests of its membership.
Literacy night brings Alberton families together
Alberton Family Literacy Night was a hoot for the kids, and it was assistance for parents of students with reading assignments and helping to develop an interest in reading for enjoyment.
Three Alberton students selected for National Honor Society
Three students from Alberton High School on Sept. 25 were inducted into the National Honor Society.
Hydrogen-powered drones could patrol remote stretch of I-90
Imagine a system that could provide public safety, emergency medical services, law enforcement, fire abatement and communications in one small fleet of hydrogen powered UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) that are able to stay in the air up to 13 hours and to be on call day or night in any weather.
New Alberton subdivision bustles with construction
Unless you’ve driven through Alberton lately, you are missing a housing boom on the east side of town that is only partially visible from I-90.
Singer Ken Lavigne performs in Superior Oct. 7
Mineral County Performing Arts Council was formed in 2007 and sponsored a set of informal concerts, to immediate public enthusiasm.
Bridge work west of Alberton to begin this fall
The Montana Department of Transportation and Frontier West will be rehabilitating the westbound bridge that carries I-90 over the Clark Fork River, 8 miles west of Alberton.
Mineral County Public Library hosts Montana poet laureates
First of all, what exactly is a Poet Laureate, and what journey was taken to receive this esteemed honor?
Project submission deadline looms for Resource Advisory Committee
The Mineral County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) of the Lolo National Forest works collaboratively to improve working relationships among community members and national forest employees.
Mineral County to take part in grizzly bear project
The grizzly bear project description reads as such: The service will develop an Environmental Impact Statement that considers a reasonable range of alternatives that can accomplish the purpose and need of restoring grizzly bears to the Bitterroot ecosystem.
Longtime Superior barber hangs up her shears
For nearly 50 years, Becky Magone has been cutting hair. Her husband, Dale, cut hair with her for many years and they will have been married 48 years this November.
Pool in the Park makes fundraising push
The old saying goes, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time." A colossal task was recognized by the Pool in the Park Committee (PIP) when they banded together a few years ago.
County encourages residents to enroll in Smart 911
Last year using Covid money, then Mineral County Sheriff Mike Toth purchased Smart 911 (aka Reverse 911) and residents were urged to enroll.
Meeting to discuss state fishery management plan
A tremendous amount of attention has been zeroed in on the fisheries in Montana as some areas are experiencing diseased fish, others have been overtaken by non-native species and overall, the native populations appear to be declining.
Freedom Fest at Alberton Orchards
Freedom Fest was held last weekend at the Alberton Orchards celebrating the Constitution and freedom with non-partisan residents of Mineral County.
Cedar Creek history tour in photos
Cedar Creek Tour photos
Hunters have many choices for game processing
With archery season starting and the general rifle season opening day on Saturday, Oct. 21, for so many people, the best season of the year is almost here.
Mouth of Swamp Project takes shape
The good news is that people genuinely enjoy the site. They enjoy it so much that it is now time for the Forest Service to step in and make the location much safer and accessible for the public to use.
Business offers unique precision cutting
Since opening in June, Twin Creek Creations has made a big splash from Superior going west, but now they are going to be moving in all directions after testing the water.
Freedom Festival to celebrate U.S. Constitution
An upcoming event in Mineral County is being organized to celebrate the Constitution and learn more about it.
Area fire danger remains 'very high'
With the recent rains and cooler temperatures, a few folks have tossed common sense to the wind by conducting open burning.
Droessler is new Alberton School superintendent
Alberton School is a three-story brick school which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on Jan. 13, 1997.
Shakespeare in the Parks comes to Mineral County Fairgrounds
Every other year, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks offers one of their two plays as a non-Shakespearean Production.
I-90 bridge work planned near Alberton
Interstate 90 between Huson and Alberton already has a large bridge refurbishing project that has been going on most of the summer, and another one is starting.
Tour of historic mining district this Saturday
The Mineral County Museum and Historical Society will be hosting its annual Tour of the Cedar Creek Historic Mining District on Saturday, Aug. 26.
PHOTOS: River Street Festival and paddleboard races
406 Paddleboard Race
Superior local takes reins at school superintendent
Growing up with both parents as teachers and then one going into school administration, Logan Labbe thought he would have a different direction in life.
West End Fire Department holds recruitment barbecue
Many people may think that when a volunteer fire department needs help, they think of firefighters.
Blackfoot makes donation at fair to Superior Fire
Blackfoot Communications is named after the Blackfoot River and started as a cooperative almost 70 years ago in the Clinton region.
Neighbors and visitors enjoy Mineral County Fair
A major draw each year at the fair is the phenomenal work displayed by the Cabin Fever Quilters.
Heat brings fishing restrictions on Clark Fork River
Fishermen have been expecting the hoot owl fishing restrictions with this intense heat, but now there are also closures on the Clark Fork River.
Paddleboard racers to compete on Clark Fork River
Do you remember when the Montana Stand Up Paddleboard Race was scheduled for earlier this year at the Big Eddy fishing access site? It was scheduled for April 29, but because of logistics, possible high water and floating ice may not be the best time for this event.
Warrior Expedition cyclists pass through Mineral County
“This is day 65 and 3,200 miles so far with maybe two weeks left before I finish the journey. I’m shooting for the first part of August,” shared Tim Davis last Tuesday evening under the shaded Douglas fir picnic area at Savenac Nursery.
I-90 sealing project to cause traffic delays
Midway through summer and the orange-cone season is continues to bloom. The next batch or orangeness is on I-90 going west is from Saltese to Lookout Pass.
Roads opened for firewood gathering on Superior District
The Superior Ranger District has opened several roads for firewood gathering through Sept. 1, with the caveat that a piece of paper is required.
Mineral County Fair to offer new events
"Always Fun in the 54" is the theme of the 48th Mineral County Fair set for Aug. 3-5, with many favorite events but a whole sack-full of new stuff.
Cyr's Bonnie Goodrich is featured quilter at fair
"American Country" will be the theme of the 22nd annual quilt show held by the Cabin Fever Quilters of Mineral County on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 4 and 5. This popular attraction is held in conjunction with the Mineral County Fair in Superior which is Aug. 3-5.
Passport in Time, YCC volunteers visit Savenac Nursery
Keeping the Savenac Nursery in Haugan in pristine condition comes mostly from volunteers, with the bulk of help from Passport in Time.