MONTE TURNER
Mineral Independent
Recent Stories
Superior firefighters rescue two dogs stuck on a cliff
March 7, 2022: The Indianapolis Fire Department rescued a 17-year-old who had gotten stuck on a tree branch 35 feet off the ground.
Old DeBorgia School to hold annual Hunters Feed
It’s been two hunting seasons since the folks at the Old DeBorgia School invited everyone to their famous Annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser, also known as the Hunters Feed.
Big game season opens Saturday
The general deer and elk season opens this Saturday with legal shooting hours a half hour before sunrise and ending a half hour after sunset.
Stakeholders discuss future management at Fish Creek
About three dozen people participated in a 3-hour field trip of Fish Creek to collaborate on ideas, brainstorm, strategize and leave with a better understanding of what Fish Creek means to organizations, recreationists and landowners when it comes to its future.
Dawn Terrill takes seat on Mineral County Commission
Dawn Terrill was sworn in Oct. 7 as the newest commissioner for Mineral County.
Alberton open house looks at I-90 bridge replacements
A few months ago, the Montana Department of Transportation announced that three bridges on I-90 west of Alberton were on the radar of replacement starting in 2023, but a few more boxes to mark off their checklist needed attention, with public comment next in line.
Q&A with Mineral County sheriff candidate Gretchen Webb
Q&A with Mineral County sheriff candidate Gretchen Webb
Online permit needed for fall burning
Open burning is allowed again in Mineral County for the grasses, leaves, weeds, branches and pine needles you’ve raked into your autumn burn-pile.
Congdon and Clouse headline cowboy poetry event
As you enter the Cattle Lack Ranch north of Arlee, you’ll instantly see why this has become an extremely popular venue for social events in western Montana.
Q&A with Mineral County sheriff candidate Ryan Funke
Q&A with Mineral County sheriff candidate Ryan Funke
Eastbound I-90 rest area temporarily closed
It’s not very common, but it happens. A brand-new vessel or building or facility has a grand opening with dignitaries, ribbon cutting and hors d'oeuvres. The completion of a large venture with everyone in the celebratory mood as they are already thinking and working on the next project or two.
Thorne Creek Fire salvage project OK'd
On Thursday, July 8, 2021, at approximately 11:10 a.m., during a thunderstorm, a lightning strike ignited dry brush 6 miles north northeast of Thompson Falls and the Thorne Creek Fire was created.
Rick Jasper celebrates 60 years in business
Earlier this year, Rick Jasper, owner of the Talking Bird Saloon in St. Regis, quietly celebrated being in business for 60 years.
Tranel, Lamb debate in Mineral County
On Wednesday at noon in the county commissioner’s office 2 candidates running for the U.S. House to represent Montana's western congressional district held a debate with about two dozen attendees.
PHOTO: Rosendale visits with Mineral County law enforcement
U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Montana, visits with Mineral County Sheriff Mike Toth, right, and Undersheriff Wayne Cashman on a trip through Superior last Tuesday.
Candidates interviewed for vacant commissioner seat
On Sept. 9, three candidates to be considered for appointment as a Mineral County commissioner were interviewed in an open meeting.
Mineral County offers emergency notification program
“Here’s an example of the way this works,’ explained Tifani Amberson, lead dispatcher at the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office.
Old DeBorgia School apple pies on sale now
The Old DeBorgia School Apple Pie Factory is selling 300 pies for $12 each this year by calling (406) 396-4731 or (406) 210-3692.
St. Regis superintendent gives back-to-school update
Trying to catch Derek Larson, Superintendent of St. Regis Schools, is difficult. No, impossible, but for good reasons because everything in the school district is going splendidly, at the speed of light so far this school year.
Whiteman takes reins as Alberton principal
He looks like he could be a middle linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, but the new TK-12 principal of Alberton School District chose the profession of education instead, and he is thrilled to be in his new administrative position.
St. Regis Senior Center under new management
In 2009 when the St. Regis Senior Citizens Center opened the doors of their brand-new facility, there was a waiting line outside on Thursdays for their weekly lunch.
Longtime commissioner Laurie Johnston resigning
For nine years and wight months, Laurie Johnston has been a Mineral County Commissioner representing the central district, and last week she tendered her resignation with a little more than two years left in her second term.
Organic veggies and flowers in full bloom on Alberton farm
Michael Davidson, owner-farmer of Crescent Ridge Farm in Alberton, is one with the soil, and his 23 acres is his testament. Over 30 different vegetables and 40 types of flowers, and then there is his hay.
Sheriff's deputies get high-tech dash cameras
It just became much tougher to be a criminal in Mineral County.
Superior trails manager gives district update
Rachel Ryan, trails manager for the Superior District of the Lolo National Forest, shared that the hiking trials in her district are open.
Allard honored for rescuing 2 people from house fire
Local residents were rescued after a passerby noticed smoke coming from their residence, investigated and extricated the two occupants.
Magone inducted into Masonic Hall of Fame
Mountain Lodge No. 110 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Montana has been based in Superior since 1917 and is the only Masonic Lodge in Mineral County.
Mineral County deputies train for water rescues
Captains Scott Dodd and Josh Pecora with the Superior Volunteer Fire Department spent a recent afternoon training deputies with the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office on the fundamentals of using Rescue Bags.
Sweet success: Local woman's relish business thriving
“It all started in the late 70s when we lived in Utah and I was making this little, tiny recipe that went over really well with my family and friends. But I could only make six or seven jars at a time,” all done by hand in her home kitchen, remembers Mary Ippisch, owner and president of Western Montana Specialty Foods, Inc.
Artists in Paradise show returns next week
After a two-year hiatus, a popular exhibition returns to the Paradise Community Center Aug. 4-6 cleverly known as Artists in Paradise.
What to know about reporting animal bite incidents in Mineral County
Dog bites are a regular entry in the weekly Mineral County Sheriff’s log, with more reports coming in the spring and summer months.
Hunters help clear abandoned wire in Montana elk country
Plastics are destroying aquatic life in the oceans. Wind turbines are killing bats and birds that fly into them. And vacated wire is causing slow, painful deaths for elk on the Idaho-Montana state line.
4-H'ers prepare for Mineral County Fair shows
The Mineral County Fair is the highlight of the 4-H year. The 2022 theme "Fun Galore in the 54" invites all ages to join in the festivities Aug. 4-6, at the Mineral County Fairgrounds in Superior.
Emergency response service comes to Mineral County
Residents of Mineral County now have the ability to create a free Emergency Health Profile to share medical information with the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office.
Cabin Fever Quilting exhibit on display
“We only had about 12 people when we first started. I'm one of the charter members. Some have passed away, and others have left. We've never had a male member, but they would sure be welcome,” laughed Sherrill Christensen, with the Cabin Fever Quilters.
Ozzy's truck: Restoration project raises suicide prevention awareness
Jeffrey “Ozzy” Otzwirk, was raised in Haugan.
St. Regis all-class reunion planned for July 16
The aftereffects of the pandemic for annual events and festivities that were cancelled over the last few years is almost like starting all over again with the very first one.
Lanie Crabb selected as Junior Rodeo Princess
For young equine ladies in Mineral County there’s an opportunity every year to become part of the Rodeo Royalty for the Superior LIONS Go for the Gold Rodeo during the Mineral County Fair.
Arts council hosting meet and greet July 13
“With so many new members to our communities, and for those who already know us, we want to inform and celebrate past accomplishments and upcoming performances,” smiles Jim Goss, Treasurer for the Mineral County Performing Arts Council.
St. Regis resident reflects on 105 years of life
Wendy Mills (Stickland) was born in Dorchester, England during World War I, and on July 2, 2022, she will be 105 years old.
Veterans honored at Superior picnic
The weather was perfect for a barbecue on Sunday, where a few dozen veterans and their families were guests of honor at the Mineral County Fairgrounds.
Mineral County business phone directory returns
The last Mineral County Business Directory that was printed was in 2015 and it was a publication of the Mineral County Chamber of Commerce. Several attempts to update and print a new one was talked about and once or twice, a few people started but it was never completed.
Longtime Superior Fire volunteer Ireland retires
In 1982, Robert Ireland was talking to John Jackman who was the Superior Volunteer Fire Chief at that time.
Hunter ed students get hands-on training at field course
To purchase or apply for a Montana hunting license, anyone born after Jan. 1, 1985, must complete a hunter education course issued by Montana, any other state, or any Canadian province.
Haugan hosts kids fishing day at Savenac
This family event has been taking place in Haugan for so long that the original year it began isn’t honestly known.
Carole Johnson to retire from Superior Ranger District after long career
On average, men hold 12.5 jobs in their lifetime with a median tenure of 4.3 years.
Old Schoolhouse Rock Car Show winners
The weather on Saturday reduced entries down to 60 vehicles for the Old Schoolhouse Rocks car show in Suprior, but the enthusiasm, spirit and music were all phenomenal.
Ed Fontaine receives the Bronze Star
Ed Fontaine and his wife Debbie live in a four-lot subdivision below the community of Cabin City in the Henderson area.
Mineral County housing market remains hot
The morning coffee-clutch subjects have gone from bare shelves, back to wolves. Then to the price of fuel to election predications and to the new houses being built and local subdivision rumors in the last 30 days.
Quartz Flats rest area reopens
The reopening ceremony at the westbound Quartz Flats rest area on I-90 was attended by several community members.