MONTE TURNER
Mineral Independent
Recent Stories
Sidney Kuhl wins Energy Share art contest
A fourth-grade student from Superior Elementary School won second place in Energy Share of Montana’s statewide art contest.
Workshops offers guidance on starting a food business
Let’s say that people rave about your salsa and tell you that you should sell it and you’d make a million bucks.
St. Patrick's beer garden benefits Rec Club
"If you’re lucky enough to be Irish, then you’re lucky enough," is an old saying that is heard especially on March 17 of each year.
Mineral County Fair Board adds 2 new members
The 4-H kids are raising their livestock. The Superior LIONS are working with the stock manager for the Go for the Gold Rodeo.
Library storytime celebrates Dr. Seuss
His first book, "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street," was rejected 27 times before it was finally published by Vanguard Press in 1937.
Superior's Darby Haskins signs with UM rodeo team
Signing Day for the NFL Draft could not hold a candle to the crowd of people on March 1 in the all-purpose room of Superior High School.
Region 1: Big game licenses on sale
March 1 was a big day when it came to hunting and fishing in Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 1.
Mineral County Performing Arts Council presents 'Jaca'
The Mineral County Performing Arts Council was formed in 2007 and sponsored a set of informal concerts to immediate public enthusiasm.
Clinton ranch home to Montana's largest herd of Highland cattle
The Highland Cow is the oldest registered breed of livestock in the world and is a Scottish class of rustic beef cattle.
FWP starts new license year March 1
Everything in the little orange pocket folder you have been carrying around since early last year is going to expire Feb. 28, if it hasn’t already.
County may pursue legal action on Cyr Mountain Road closure
The first movement on the contentious issue of Cyr Mountain Road being gated off years ago took place Friday at the Mineral County Commissioners weekly meeting.
Big turnout for St. Regis Valentine’s Day dinner
Shrimp cocktails started the evening out followed by tossed salads. The main entre was prime rib, noodles alfredo, mashed potatoes and peas and carrots with a dessert being chocolate lava cake with blueberry sauce and vanilla ice cream.
Fire chiefs clean up icky situation at Tarkio
One hopes that this was an accident, but nonetheless the responsible party should have made an attempt to clean it up.
Ladies Luncheon serves up delicious food and fun
“We started doing the (Community) Ladies Luncheon around 2012. It was a fun get together for the ladies to do in the winter, when cabin fever was setting in,” smiled Susan Charles who has been involved in most, if not all, community events in the west end of Mineral County.
St. Regis Senior Center a hub of activity
Keeping the doors open and being an important asset to the community, were Dave Hannah’s intentions of the St. Regis Senior Citizens Center when he took over as president of the board of directors last summer.
Local bars welcome fans for Super Bowl parties
Chips and dip, sandwiches, beer, crackers, different cheeses, beer, spaghetti, elk salami, chili, nachos, beer — Super Bowl Sunday at the bars is a big day and the owners of the establishments are more than happy to make it a party.
Lolo Forest wants input on revision plan
Much has changed since 1986, the last the Lolo Forest Revision was made. Now the Forest Service is looking for input about this multi-year process that will affect snowmobilers, hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, berry pickers, hunters, fishing-folk and everyone else that recreates, somehow, in the woods.
FWP offers incentive for landowners
Private land may be changing in ownership, but not necessarily growing or shrinking in size.
Mineral County holds 4-H beef weigh-In
Another sign that spring is close is the 4-H beef were weighed and measured at the Mineral County Fairgrounds last Sunday.
I-90 resurfacing work planned in 2024
The Montana Department of Transportation is interested in what the public has to say about a proposal to resurface two segments of Interstate 90 near St. Regis and Superior.
County to partner with Missoula Drug Task Force
The Missoula Police Department is a member of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, comprised of other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
Library 'hot spot' devices a hot commodity
Wikipedia describes an internet hot spot as "an area where a user can access the Internet via Wi-Fi. A mobile, or portable, hot spot device enables users to connect to the Internet using a small box with a cell phone data plan that they can bring with them wherever they go."
Conservation district board considers resort deck permit
Montana’s Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act, also known as the 310 Law, requires anyone planning to work in or near a year-round stream or river to obtain a permit.
New Mineral County Sheriff Ryan Funke takes the reins
Some unexpected remodeling was waiting for newly elected Mineral County Sheriff Ryan Funke even before he officially was sworn into the position.
Alberton students thrive in STEM learning
Last school year, there were 48 schools in Montana collectively known as Big Sky ChangED. Alberton is one of those and the concept is a big hit with students, parents, teachers and school administration.
Study looks at elk population in Lower Clark Fork
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has its Region 1 headquarters in Kalispell.
Mineral County elected officials sworn in
County Commissioner Dawn Terrill, far left, swears in elected officials of Mineral County Friday afternoon: Deb Jackson, County Attorney; Roman Zylawy: County Commissioner; Merry Mueller, County Treasurer and Superintendent of Schools; Kelann McLees, Clerk & Recorder; Ryan Funke, Mineral County Sheriff; and Kim Taron, Justice of the Peace.
St. Regis Senior Center offers up Christmas feast
On the evening of Dec. 22, the St. Regis Senior Citizen Center hosted Christmas dinner for many residents in Mineral County.
Missoula mainstay Josh Farmer to perform in Superior
The Mineral County Performing Arts Council is starting the new year with exciting entertainment that comes from The Garden City.
FWP biologist: Feeding wildlife does more harm than good
With their big brown eyes with frosted eyelashes, snow on their face, steam vapor floating from their nostrils and snow up to their bellies, you want so desperately to help them.
Alberton parent-teacher group hosts gingerbread day
On Sunday afternoon, the Alberton School Gymnasium transformed into a gingerbread house manufacturing plant as parents, guardians and kids came in to build and have fun.
Input sought on off-road vehicle use at Fish Creek
The term off-highway vehicle includes all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and off-road vehicles.
Resource Advisory Committees seeks new members
The posting reads: The Sanders and Mineral Resource Advisory Committees (RAC) are seeking new members.
Christmas cheer at Superior's tree lighting
What a remarkable evening the residents in Mineral County had on Saturday in Superior.
Amberson levels up with firefighter training
The three fire academies in Montana all commence with the same basic rules and qualifications: High school diploma or GED, valid Montana driver’s license, 18 years or older, EMT-basic certification, vision corrected to 20/30, pre-employment medical exam and psych test (post offer of employment) and no tobacco use while on the job.
Cummings honored for 70 years of service at VFW
Across America, the Veterans of Foreign Wars are a familiar sight and symbolize a commitment to the nation both at home and abroad. The organization traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service.
Longtime Superior Volunteer fire chief to retire
When Steve and Peggy Temple moved to Superior in 2005, they embraced the community and have been involved in more organizations and causes that you can shake a stick at.
Body scanners installed at Mineral County Detention Center
Body searches, also known as strip searches, are generally frowned upon when a person is taken into custody by law enforcement.
$1M grant will help rid noxious weeds from Great Burn
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation recently notified the Great Burn Conservation Alliance in Missoula that they were being awarded $1 million to restore native habitat in the Great Burn Ecosystem by 2026.
Groups discuss plans for rail-trail project
When the Great American Rail-Trail construction is completed, it will connect the U.S. coasts from Washington D.C. to Washington State, a distance of 3,700 miles.
Funke elected Mineral County Sheriff
Republican Ryan Funke was elected Mineral County sheriff in the Nov. 8 general election.
West End fire crews get hands-on training
Training exercises can be ho-hum when it’s the same routine or project time after time.
St. Regis honors veterans at school assembly
St. Regis students decorated the school cafeteria for Veterans Day with red, white and blue balloons, posters, crepe paper and thank you cards.
Christmas tree permits now available
Lolo National Forest Christmas tree permits are now available for finding the perfect tree for your home this holiday season.
Meeting to discuss water rights in Flathead Compact
You’ve heard that water will be the next gold for years, and it appears it’s coming to fruition.
Hunters discuss public access on MKH lands
Losing the privilege to hunt on property that has become your favorite spot over the years stings. Big time!
I-90 road work wraps up for season
Say goodbye to the orange cones, candles and barrels on I-90 on both sides of St. Regis, at least until next year.
Big grant awarded to De Borgia Fire Department
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester's office announced that about $287,000 has been secured for the De Borgia Volunteer Fire Department through the Federal Emergency Management Administration’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants.
DUI Task Force works to stop impaired driving
As of Oct. 11, there have been 169 highway fatalities in Montana compared to 185 at the same time last year.
Trio of authors to speak at Mineral County Library
Leslie Budewitz is a three-time Agatha Award winner and the best-selling author of the "Spice Shop" mysteries set in Seattle, and "Food Lovers’ Village" mysteries inspired by Bigfork, where she lives.