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Valley Press - Mineral Independent
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...
Earl O. Pike, Jr., 81
Earl O. Pike, Jr., Ph.D., 81, of Sierra Vista, Arizona, entered his heavenly home on June 2, 2024. Earl was born on March 30, 1943, in Superior, Montana. He was a proud alumnus of the University of Oregon, where he earned a Ph.D. in psychology. Earl dedicated his life to serving the community as a School Psychologist for the rural schools of Cochise County, AZ, and the Palominas School District, Hereford, AZ.Earl is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Judy E. Pike, his children, Janell Jackson, Brian Pike and daughter-in-law Linda Pike, Christina Wiesinger and son-in-law Ben Wiesinger....
Homesteader Days marks 75 years with rodeo action
The rain stayed mainly above the plains surrounding Hot Springs this past weekend, and that was a good thing.It was a bit windy at times as was evident to rodeo goers Sunday afternoon at the rodeo grounds, but nary a discouraging word was heard. The occasion was the 75th Annual Homesteader Days festival and rodeo, the Spa City’s annual celebration of its past and present. And although there were a few empty seats in the usually crowded rodeo bleachers, the show was special as always. The three-day event featured numerous bands and entertainment up and down the main street of Hot Springs...
COLUMN: Bobcat lacrosse champs
Griz fans, Velcro down. Preferably with your favorite adult beverages clutched in your hand. This is Montana State University Bobcat news of the highest order. This isn’t on a par with winning the NCAA 1-A football championship, but it’s not like beating Chardon State either. The Cats, unbeknownst to many sports fans even in their home state, are national champions.Say what? Yup, the Bobcats from Bozeman, one of the institutions of higher learning I attended early in life, are the best in the collegiate world of ... lacrosse. MSU won the title last month with what was described as a major, if not stunning...
Thompson Falls' Hanks headed to Boise State
For the vast majority of senior student athletes who participated in high school sports this spring, graduation means the end of their organized sports career. For those who did not receive an athletic scholarship to continue their playing days in college, club sports are usually the alternative for those not willing to hang up the spikes. For a small number of athletes in the Sanders and Mineral counties area, that dream is still alive. According to data recently posted by the Montana High School Association (MHSA), eight graduating seniors have received scholarships to move on to the next level of competition or...
24 seniors graduates with Plains' class of 2024
Twenty-four students from Plains High School received their diplomas Sunday afternoon, including a Vietnam veteran.The graduation ceremony started off with the Plains VFW Post 3596 color guards, accompanied by a rendition of the national anthem sung by student Abigail Wessley. This year’s salutatorian address was delivered by Peyton Wasson, who gave an inspiring speech. “Some of us want to become entrepreneurs, or pilots, or electricians, teachers, engineers, and some of us have absolutely no idea what to do after today,” Wasson said. “Wherever we all end up, I am proud of us all for making it to today.”Local resident and State Jr....
Zoom: Superior students race go karts
Superior High School students race go karts at the second annual event May 31. While looking for neutral, which is between forward and reverse, and the gear shift is tight, Landon Richards lost his balance a few times on the racetrack. Richards used a go kart that was raced last year, and he installed an actual rear axle that he found "laying on the ground somewhere." He struggled to find a tensioner for the belt, so he took the one from his lawnmower at home. He cut out all of the steering after watching YouTube for ideas on how to...
Riverside Soups and Sandz opens in new location
Bailey Moree, owner of Riverside Soups & Sandz paints the front door of her new location on Memorial Day preparing for the grand opening of June 1, to coincide with the Old Schoolhouse Rock Car Show. She is now located directly across the street from her original location in the old Superior School on River Street.
Valley Press - Mineral Independent
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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.
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