Columbus
Valley Press - Mineral Independent
Fun run supports Plains Public Library
For many folks there is nothing like keeping a cold morning at bay with a good book and a warm place to read. The crew at the Plains Public Library took steps to ensure both pleasantries Saturday with their successful Bookin’ It 5K fun run under cold and cloudy skies. The first ever such event for the Plains Public Library L drew a field of more than 65 runners and before the race had begun, library officials were touting the fact they had reached their fund raising target of $2,000. “A large portion of these donations (via t-shirt sales and runner registration fees)...
St. Regis native builds career as Coastie
How does a St. Regis graduate, landlocked by majestic mountains, end up earning sea legs while serving in a maritime branch of the military? For recently promoted Chief Warrant Officer Tyler Goss, from Haugan, it all started with a trip to the Pacific coast and from there it was amplified by his conviction for civic duty.“To be part of something bigger than myself,” remarked Goss. “I joined the Coast Guard at a time when our nation was in the beginning part of our global war on terrorism. So, the patriotic side of me drew me toward military service to my...
Rediscovering home: Keeping '54'
Gusty winds set the butterflies free. But “54” is safe at home in Mineral County.Gusts of wind tore apart a solar-powered, wind chime butterflies hanging from a tree in the front yard. It appears to me, and others, that the wind appears to be more fierce than I remember growing up here. Memory can be as flighty as a butterfly, so I called the National Weather Service Office in Missoula. Dave Noble took the time to scour their data and explain the science to a novice at best. What’s the answer? Well, that’s not particularly clear. For one, the NWS does...
Northern pike found in Bull River near Noxon
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is asking anglers to report any northern pike caught or observed in the Bull River in Sanders County following the first confirmed detection of the predacious non-native fish.Anyone who catches or observes a pike on the Bull River should contact fisheries biologist Travis Rehm at 406-382-3032. FWP is trying to identify the extent of the potential pike abundance in the river.FWP recently received a report from an angler who observed a pike in the river south of Bull Lake near Noxon. Fisheries biologists confirmed the observation by catching and removing the fish. The presence of...
Sanders County Fair Board reviews bids for parking, security
Sanders County Fair Board spent June’s meeting making final preparations for this year’s fair. The board also welcomed new board member Jolene Burke, owner and CEO of Chase N Three Productions LLC. She was the former state director at Montana Barrel Horse Association. Burke brings to the board experience in the industry. There were four individuals from around the county vying for the open position. Also new to the Sanders County Fair is seasonal employee Rachel Largent. She was brought on as assistant administrator for fair manager Kristy Sheehan. Burk will be employed between May and September. Board members filled the empty vice...
Local hoopers take advantage of summer ball
If you have a favorite sport, one you can’t get enough of, local high school basketball teams have your back. Love of the sport is what drives those who love roundball action, playing and watching, to seek relief from official down times in any given season. And summer basketball is alive and well in these parts, in an unofficial kind of way. But hey, the NBA finals were still being contested as of this past Sunday morning. More and more these days, players are hitting the hardwoods throughout the year, keeping the sound of ball on hardwood floors echoing throughout the buildings. “I...
A great Plains Day
I think this was the best Plains Day in several years. The kids had a blast and I felt a patriotic feeling that I especially needed at this time. I did pull into the ATM lane at the Rocky Mountain Bank when the free ice cream booth was open, it appeared that the lane was open, I saw no traffic cones in the lane. If I offended anyone I do apologize. It was a great Plains Day. - Patrick E. Killgore, Plains
Mineral County Library holds annual book sale
The Mineral County Library System creates opportunities to participate, connect and discover.’ is their Vision Statement. The branches in Alberton, Superior and St. Regis are united, but different when it comes to hours and some services, but everyone that works and volunteers at them, wants to be there. They are happy to help, answer questions and bring people up to speed with their technology. Membership is free and that opens the door to borrowing ebooks and audiobooks with the Libby App for a PC, tablet or mobile phone. The Palace is another free, easy to use e-reader app that lets people...
COLUMN: First fish
They say a picture is worth a thousand words.They are right! All it took for me was one look at the smile on my youngest grandson’s face while he was standing behind his dad’s outstretched hand, holding a nice, pan-size trout. That, my friends, was a Grand Canyon of a smile on the face of one proud three-year-old. I wanted in on that. It was way beyond just wanting to get out fishing, it was seeing the joy that catching a fish had etched on Asher’s grin-splattered face. That was pride, joy and sense of accomplishment rolled into one big ball of little kid...
Emergency crews practice for chemical incident
A mass casualty exercise was recently held at the Mineral County Airport, allowing participants an opportunity to evaluate current response concepts, plans and capabilities for response to an Incident with a chemical component.The exercise was developed by the Mineral County LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee) and Department of Emergency Services (DES). The exercise and materials were produced with input, advice, and assistance from the LEPC Exercise Planning Team, which followed guidance set forth by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP).At 6 p.m. on Thursday, quite possibly the largest emergency preparedness exercise in...
McKlosky named FWP's Region 2 supervisor
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks recently named Kendra McKlosky as the new Region 2 supervisor based out of the office in Missoula. When Randy Arnold retired earlier this year, she stepped into the role in May and now it has become a permanent position. “I’m excited to serve the region and the public in this new capacity,” McKlosky said. “The people and natural resources in western Montana make it a unique and special place.”McKlosky began her career with FWP in 2011 as a hunting access technician based out of Deer Lodge, assisting with the Block Management Program and building relationships with...
Plains Council discusses grant for firehall
Plains has applied for a grant of about $95,000, which would be earmarked for improvements to the town firehall that require extensive repairs and improvements. The grant would require a 25% contribution from the town.The grant was discussed at the Plains Council meeting last week. A separate grant the town applied for to fund improvements and encourage tourism within the community was not approved, according to a report from Mayor Joel Banham. The judge’s report and Police Department’s activities for May were highlight earlier in the meeting. Eighty-five new cases appeared before the court, with 71 still pending. Ninety-seven warrants were still active....
Legals for June, 12 2024
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS PREPARATION OF PRELIMINARY ARCHITECTURAL REPORT Mineral County Pool in the Park, LLC for a Municipal Pool Project Superior - Mineral County, Montana Issued May 8, 2024 Addendum #1 - REVISED DUE DATE - JUNE 14, 2024 The Town of Superior is requesting proposals from qualified Architectural / Engineering firms for the development of a Preliminary Architectural Report (PAR), in cooperation with the Mineral County Pool in the Park organization. The Town of Superior has applied to the Montana Department of Commerce under the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to develop a PAR outlining recommendations for replacement of the...
Tarkio to Crystal Springs newest section of rail-to-trail project
The discussion and initial planning began in the 1980s and from the inception, Mineral County has been a key component of the Great American Rail to Trail project. This iconic system will cover more than 3,600 miles from Washington, D.C. to the Washington state coast, and travel through 12 states and the District of Columbia. There are over 150 trail systems that are linked today as more segments to complete the route are being developed, with one of the newest being the Tarkio to Crystal Springs section.Diane Magon is the chair of the Mineral County Rails to Trails committee with...
Hot Springs Homesteader Days chock-full of events
Visitors from across the country made Hot Springs their destination of choice last weekend for the annual Homesteader’s Days, a long-standing tradition in Hot Springs for 75 years. Activities for all ages and abilities were scheduled for the weekend, ranging from the early Saturday morning Skunk Alley Run to the traditional Saturday and Sunday Western Rodeo. Runners showed up early Saturday morning for the 3K and 13k Skunk Alley Run. It was a nice warm sunny morning, perfect for a race. At 9 a.m. sharp the racers were let loose, each heading for the finish line on Main Street. First...
Chip sealing work begins on I-90
The Montana Department of Transportation along with construction partner Riverside Contracting, Inc., will begin seal and cover (chip seal) and fog seal activities on I-90. This resurfacing project will be split into 2 segments with the first one beginning at mile marker 23, 1 mile east of the Henderson Exit 22. This is in the curve-section and will stretch about 5 miles going east. The end point will be near mile marker 28 before travelers enter St. Regis. The second segment begins just east of the Dry Creek Exit 43 and extends easterly about 10 miles ending near mile marker 54,...
Superior's Kovalsky soars to new heights
One day last year, probably several years before that, Lucas Kovalsky looked skyward. He had a goal as he gazed up from the track and field grounds at Superior High: go higher than anyone at Superior High had ever gone. Later last year, he achieved what would be just a part of that initial goal. Taking hold of the pole vault pole, under the watchful eye of his coach, April Quinlan, Kovalsky began his run down the pole vault path. He planted one end of it firmly in the vaulter’s box, then used the bend din the pole to catapult to uncharted...
PHOTOS: Students learn about the physics of flight
Pilot Bruce Doering had 1-on-1 time with his passengers as his Cessna 152 had only a passenger seat available. 4 private planes spent Saturday morning giving about 20- 5th and 6th grade Superior students a ride after they completed a flight class that 5th grade teacher Angie Hopwood offers every year. The Fly-In morning is the reward for all of the students. Ed Lovrien, President of EAA 517 could load 3 students at a time in his Cessna 182. The pilots donated their time and fuel for the morning. The pilots had the students accompany them as they did a pre-flight walk around explaining the different functions of the aircraft. About 20-Superior 5th and 6th grade students were treated to a flight on Saturday to St. Regis and back from the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA) Chapters 517 in Missoula and 102 in Kalispell. 5th grade teacher, Angie Hopwood, has organized this day for many years for the students who studied The Physics of Flight the last 5 weeks. This was one of her biggest classes.
Community calendar
Mineral County Public Library-Superior. SpectrUM science program will be at the library at noon – they will be working with puzzles; and they will also be at Eva Horning Park at noon on July 24 – Bouncy Rockets and Paper Airplanes.They will be at Alberton on Thursday, Aug. 1, from 1-3 p.m., working on cardboard construction.Mineral County Chamber of Commerce meeting canceled for July.Sanders County Transportation, serving Sanders County residents. Call 406-741-2346 or go to www.rideSCT.com to schedule. Mineral County Transportation. Mineral County Residents, schedule rides to Missoula or medical runs inside Mineral County with the Pioneer Council. (406) 552-7003 VFW Auxiliary...
Valley Press - Mineral Independent
2K+
Posts
949K+
Views
We are the local newspapers for Sanders & Mineral Counties in Montana. The Clark Fork Valley Press is published in Plains, and the Mineral Independent is based in Superior. Both papers are published weekly on Wednesdays. Our office (at 105 W. Lynch St., Plains MT 59859) is open Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.