Candidate registration opens for 2014 elections
Adam Robertson/Mineral Independent | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years, 10 months AGO
MINERAL COUNTY – The Elections Office officially opened earlier this month to allow candidates to register for the June election.
Candidate registration opened January 9 and candidates have until March 10 to file. This will also mark the final day for candidates to withdraw from the election.
A number of Mineral County incumbents are filed for reelection this year.
Duane Simons will run for another six year term as county commissioner of the west end. He will run against Robert McCandless. Both candidates have registered under the Republican party.
Staci Hayes, the current county clerk and recorder, will also run for reelection along with Mary Yarnell, for treasurer/superintendent of schools, and Marcia Boris, county attorney. All three incumbents are filed under the Republican party and remain unopposed.
Sheriff Ernie Ornelas had not registered for reelection as of Tuesday morning. The same was true of Justice of the Peace Wanda James.
Michael Toth had put in his candidacy for the position of sheriff with the Republican party. Adam Cole had registered for justice of the peace as a non-partisan candidate.
The state representative for House District 14 will also appear on the ballot. Representative Nick Schwaderer, a long-time resident of Superior, has filed for another four year term with the Republican party. There were no other registered candidates at the time of press.
On the national scale, a senator position will be up for election in 2014. Dirk Adams, John Bohlinger, Melinda Gopher and John Walsh are all registered to be on the 2014 ballot.
The primary elections will be held on June 3.
ARTICLES BY ADAM ROBERTSON/MINERAL INDEPENDENT
Grand Opening
The new St. Regis Senior Center was dedicated to Maxine Flemming, a member of the center since 1983. Her name and picture appears on a plaque to be displayed in the new center.
Icy highways lead to a weekend of accidents
MINERAL COUNTY – As blizzard-like conditions swept through the area late last week Interstate 90 became an ice rink and accident reports flooded in as traffic tried to navigate the hazardous roads. The heavy snows began on Thursday, Feb. 27, and only let up periodically over the next few days. According to Mineral County Sheriff’s Office dispatch, approximately 12 accidents occurred between Thursday and Sunday, March 2. Most of these were cases where vehicles slid off the road or spun out. According to Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Charles Burton, they were almost all caused by people driving too fast on the slick roads. “The weather has definitely been a factor,” Burton said. “People need to slow down a bit.” Burton also responded to an accident where a vehicle with a trailer hit some ice and the trailer fell over. On Friday, Feb. 28, Mineral County Sheriff Ernie Ornelas and the Mineral County Sheriff’s Deputies were kept busy for most of the day assisting with the flood of calls. While there were no investigations opened, the sheriff’s office was on hand to help with the accidents. While the Superior ambulances were also busy responding to calls, there were very few serious injuries. According to Mineral Community Hospital personnel, the hospital did not see many people with injuries resulting from the conditions. Burton said the Montana Department of Transportation was doing the best they could to keep Interstate 90 and the state highways clear. It was a daunting task as the cold temperatures and heavy snow kept the roads slick. The Montana Highway Patrol recommends everyone drive safely and go a safe speed for the road conditions.
Bobcats
Tucker Smith moves to block a Hot Springs player during a Superior home game earlier this season.