MONTE TURNER
Mineral Independent
Recent Stories
ATV riders meet at West End for annual poker ride
The West End ATV Association is an ATV club made up of locals primarily from DeBorgia, Haugan and Saltese.
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.
Volunteers clear old wire on Hiawatha to help protect wildlife
The fourth annual Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation wire-pull on the Montana/Idaho border had fewer volunteers this summer, but the enthusiasm for the project hasn't changed.
First responders hone skills in active-shooter drill
With increasing social instability creeping through the nation, more doors are being locked, car keys are no longer left dangling from the ignition, and security cameras are being installed nearly everywhere.
Legislative districts modified for state elections
As the dust continues to settle on the last legislative session, boundaries that affect Mineral and Sanders counties have had some modifications.
Residents get sticker-shock from property appraisal notices
The sticker-shock of estimated property taxes to residents of Mineral County hit a nerve when assessments arrived in mailboxes Friday or Saturday.
State wants comments on new elk management plan
Elk hunters who are interested in how the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks manage elk have the opportunity to weigh in on the new draft elk management plan.
Local campgrounds fill up as summer arrives
Having a camper, trailer, RV or motorhome has always given people freedom to go when they want and stay where they want to, up until the summer of 2023.
Trapper education field day is July 8
If one was looking to purchase tanned hides from furbearers that live in the area, the prices vary all over the board.
Andrew Cadman honored for response during St. Regis shooting
The afternoon of Saturday, March 18 at the Travel Center in St. Regis is still very fresh in the minds of those that were bystanders or first responders to a hostage situation and resulting shootout that left one person dead.
Volunteers help put new roof on Superior's Kingdom Hall
Wearing her purple hard hat and matching safety glasses, a high visibility shirt and work boots, Naomi Kovarik will temporarily leave behind her regular job as a window washer and bookkeeper to help put a new roof on the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Superior.
Elk foundation needs help with wire-pull
The upcoming wire pulling event on the Montana/Idaho border is the largest event in the nation for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Now in its fourth year, Wayne Brood is looking for help.
Legion Post 13 holds Flag Day ceremony
Molly Parkman moved to St. Regis a year ago and said that she had never seen a ceremony that the American Legion Post 13 was about to perform for proper disposal of worn and tattered American flags.
Western Montana Specialty Foods founder greets Gianforte
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte made a special trip to Mineral, Sanders and Lincoln counties Thursday with stops to chat with residents, present an award and visit small businesses.
Savenac Nursery joins nationwide kids fishing day
Fishing with your kids in Montana is Heaven on earth. It makes lifelong memories and the more you take young’uns out fishing the better they become, the more fish are caught and a healthy obsession to a sport might be developed.
Local vendors, shoppers meet at Superior farmers market
Overcast skies with a tinge of humidity after a downpour the prior evening greeted vendors and looky-loos for the first farmers market Saturday on the lawn of the old Superior School.
Small engine students roar on go-kart track
One can easily say that the first year of small engines at Superior High School was a game-changer for many students.
Old Schoolhouse Rock Car Show awards scholarships
Ninety-four entries are close to the most that have participated in the Old Schoolhouse Rock Car Show over the years, but for whatever reason, these beauties seemed incredibly dazzling on Saturday.
Mule trainer brings expertise to local clinic
In 1981, Steve Edwards got thrown by a mule named Casper, and the owner said, “Well, I guess you don’t want to buy this mule.”
Legion to hold flag disposal ceremony on Flag Day
Flag Day is June 14. It is the celebration and recognition of the stars and stripes.
Junior Rodeo Princess applications due June 14
A big reason many live in rural Montana is to have animals. Raising livestock, especially for children, is a life teaching process stressing the responsibilities of accountability and the repercussions.
Group gathers input on proposed passenger rail route
Through a grant made possible by the Montana Healthcare Foundation, The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority has been hosting a series of meetings in rural communities across southern Montana.
Superior fifth-grader honored for law enforcement appreciation artwork
In February, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen opened submissions for the Montana Law Enforcement Appreciation Poster Contest to all Montana elementary school students.
Arrowleaf balsmroot a sure sign of spring in Western Montana
Is this year a bumper crop of arrowleaf balsmroot as it appears more abundant, brighter, and in more places?
Superior pool capital campaign making a splash
When the Superior swimming pool closed a few years ago due to the cost of upkeep and needed expensive repairs, the community lost an icon. It was built in the early 60s and was a shining star, especially with longtime residents.
Superior Elementary hosts annual fun run
Around 400 students and staff, along with numerous parents participated in the 17th annual Fun Run hosted by Superior Elementary School.
McCloskey named the hunter ed instructor of the year
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks recently held its annual Hunter and Bowhunter Education Instructor Workshop in Region 2 with a strong showing of instructors.
Superior's Haskins earns esteemed Gaylord Green scholarship
Gaylord Green is one of the pioneers of the creation, development and operation of GPS (Global Positioning System), whose work on satellites and orbits particularly affected the success of the technology.
Training aimed at curbing underage drinking
Sixteen employees in Mineral County that serve alcohol at bars, casinos, convenience and grocery stores or the state liquor store attend RASS Training in Alberton at the Rivers Edge Restaurant. Steve Schmidt, with Drive Safe Missoula with the Missoula Health Department was the instructor. Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service training is strongly recommended as it helps curb underage drinking and from alcohol salespeople and stores from being fined. For the next class later this summer, contact Anna Schreck ataschreck@wmmhc.org.
Holsters donated to Sheriff's Office
Mineral County Sheriff Ryan Funke is presented with Rapid Force Duty Holsters from by Frank Magee, fire chief of the West End Volunteer Fire Department in DeBorgia recently. The West End Fire and Rescue volunteers gathered donations for the purchase following a stand-off in St. Regis in March. Magee said the occasion was for first responders supporting other first responders. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
New York City-based Piatigorsky Foundation performs May 12
Covid catch-up continues as the Mineral County Performing Arts Council is hosting another evening of entertainment this Friday.
Road work planned between St. Regis and Paradise
With plenty of notice and time for comments, the Montana Department of Transportation is announcing and inviting public input on a proposed resurfacing project that includes Montana 200, Montana 135 and Cold Creek Road outside of St. Regis.
Elks Lodge makes donation to Superior Fire
Last Tuesday afternoon, four ambassadors from the Benevolent Protection of ELKS Lodge 383 in Missoula stopped by the Superior Volunteer Fire Department, and this made Chief Scott Dodd a happy guy.
New sawmill fill custom orders
Ron Denn is a retired farmer from Minnesota where he grew corn, soybeans, hay and raised beef cattle.
Survey shows Western Montana hunters like mule deer regs
When you spend enough time in the woods over the years, some changes become apparent. Spotted knapweed can grow out of anything.
Volunteers help clean up for Earth Day
Earth Day turned 53 years old on Saturday and a huge Clark Fork River cleanup was held in Missoula, which is appreciated very much by those living downstream.
Superior musicians to perform at state festival
Some of the benefits of music programs for students are that the left side of the brain is better developed, and songs can imprint information onto young minds.
DUI Task Force scholarships awarded
Three scholarships have been awarded to Mineral County high school seniors who applied with the Mineral County DUI Task Force.
Seattle band brings electro swing music to Superior
If you’ve never heard of Electro Swing music, you have many people standing with you.
County officials attend semi accident education seminar
County officials attend semi accident education seminar
Superior brightens town with new streetlight banners
Streetlight banners welcome tourists and inform them of what community activities are available, and provide a flavor of the character of the residents.
Mineral County Community Foundation awards scholarships
The Mineral County Community Foundation was established in 1994 in response to the closing of a major employer, the Crown Pacific sawmill in Superior.
Superior students present ‘Foil That Villain’
When lovely young widow Penny Candy and her baby, Ruth, are taken in by her Aunt Praline, owner of The Sweet Shoppe candy store in Boston 150 years ago, little does Penny know both love and danger lie ahead.
Excavation crews begin work on Flat Creek project
If you haven’t driven up Flat Creek outside of Superior recently, you’re in for a surprise.
Paddleboard race planned on Clark Fork River
The Great Montana Stand Up Paddleboard Race will be the first of its kind on the lower Clark Fork River. The original date of April 29 just changed to Saturday, Aug. 19 which for many is a better date because of the warmer water.
Mineral County hosts hazardous waste training sessions
Unless you are in the emergency preparedness line of work, HAZWOPER could be a Burger King special, but it’s a level of hazmat training that is at another level.
I-90 bridge work begins near Alberton
Spring has sprung with the usual signs and one that can be annoying, but the end result is worth it. Orange cones and barrels are on I-90 with more to come.
St. Regis sidewalk project aims to improve access to park
The Montana Department of Transportation is gathering public comment on a proposal to extend the sidewalk and shared-use path system in St. Regis.
Alberton test scores on the rise
Each year Alberton students in grades K-11 participate in standardized testing, along with every other school in the U.S.
Snowmobile club discusses Saltese Trestle with Zinke
U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke met with members of the Montana Nightriders Snowmobile Club in Haugan last week to hear about their valiant effort to repair and bring the Saltese Trestle up to safety standards to motorized and non-motorized traffic.