Timber bill may bring increase of jobs to county

SANDERS COUNTY – The United States House of Representatives voted on September 20th to approve H.R. 1526, a bill that could mean big news for Sanders County.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Concert for vets

Rachel Huenink, Haley Josephson, Samantha Marquaradt-Brown, and Dakota Worrall perform the song "Buckets" as part of the percussion ensemble for the Middle School.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Sheriff's plan has impact in Sanders County

THOMPSON FALLS – Having a plan of action in place is important for any job a person takes. If you want to start a business, a campaign, or even run a countywide department you need a plan in place.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs Chamber hopes to increase outreach

HOT SPRINGS – The Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce held their monthly meeting Thursday. Topics of discussion included an outreach update, the museum, and events coming up in Hot Springs.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Plains after school program

Freshman Franklin Reed puts a fire to rest at the Plains-Paradise Rural Fire Department as part of the after school program.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Plains after school program gets up and running

PLAINS- The Plains after school program held one of their first activities at Plains-Paradise Rural Fire.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs adds grant for college readiness

HOT SPRINGS – The Hot Springs School District has been awarded another grant for the school year.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs ends football season

Quarterback Tanner Hoff avoids pressure from the Bearcat defender to get a pass away. DGS Head Coach called Hoff the best quarterback he has ever played against.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs ends season with quarterfinal run

HOT SPRINGS – The Savage Heat season came to an end during the quarterfinals of the six man playoffs Saturday with a loss to Denton/Geyser/Stanton 58-52.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Earhart proud of Trotters tournament play

PLAINS – The Trotters ended their season at the Western B Divisional Tournament in Florence over the weekend.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Horsemen collect team and conference honors

PLAINS – The Horsemen football team had their end of the year celebration Thursday night as the coaches honored the players and parents for their support during the 2013 season.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs gala

Hot Springs resident Debbie Walchuck checks out items for the silent auction for the Artists Society fundraiser.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs Artists Society holds annual gala

HOT SPRINGS- The Hot Springs Artists Society held their annual Silent Auction, Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate Gala. The event is used to fund the Artists Society’s activities during the year and to keep the arts alive in the area.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

SCSO takes measures to save money

THOMPSON FALLS – The Sanders County Sheriff’s Department held their monthly meeting with the County Commissioners Wednesday.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Students learn life lessons through newspapers

HOT SPRINGS – Newspapers in Education is a program designed to help teach students about the world around them. Most use national news coverage of events to educate students. Hot Springs fifth grade teacher Bart Granlund however, uses the Valley Press to give his students a better understanding of what …
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

VFW gears up to help soldiers for holidays

PLAINS – The Plains VFW has begun their annual drive for care packages to send to troops away from their families and abroad.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs football

Junior Nate Gray breaks a tackle after catching the ball during Hot Springs' playoff win on Saturday.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs continues to roll in the playoffs

HOT SPRINGS –The Savage Heat continued to beat up on the competition, winning Saturday’s opening round play off match 62-22 over Roy/Winifred at home.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Noxon volleyball

Nicole Zavoianu blocks the ball during the game against Superior while her teammate Katie Chandler watches.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs volleyball

Senior Rosa Dolson goes up for the spike during a Lady Savage Heat District 10C match-up.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs volleyball plays well at Districts

HOT SPRINGS – The Lady Savage Heat competed in District competition this weekend and were able to capture third place.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Trotters keep their season alive with win

PLAINS –The Plains Trotters won the play in game Saturday to secure a spot in Florence for divisionals.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Last Lady Bobcat volleyball game

Superior's Michele Smith returns the ball in Saturday's game against Hot Springs. The Lady Bobcats put up a strong match against the Lady Savage Heat.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Painting pumpkins

Aiden Skellenger, 3, and Trac Henkel, 2, work on painting pumpkins at Hot Springs' Family Fun Night.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Halloween takes over Hot Springs downtown

HOT SPRINGS – Hot Springs celebrated Halloween this past week with a wide array of festivities.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Cutting with the Jaws-of-life

Hunter Bradley, 4, cuts a can with the help of Lieutenant Pat Erving and the jaws-of-life.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Preschool students learn about fire safety

PLAINS – Plains Head Start and Agape Christian Preschool came together Wednesday at Plains-Paradise Rural Fire to learn about fire safety.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Preschool learns about fire safety

Cooper Spurr, 2, checks out the Plains-Paradise Rural Fire Department on Wednesday. Both Plains Head Start and Agape Christian Preschool learned about fire education from the firefighters at the department.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Life and death: a matter of minutes

Sanders County 911 Board assesses dispatch communication issues between Lake and Sanders Counties
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

VFW bazaar

Vendor Pat McDougal purchases her lunch from Meralise Nass at the VFW bazaar on Saturday in Plains. Monday raised helped fund the organization cancer effort and general fund.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

VFW bazaar raises money for outreach efforts

PLAINS – The VFW of Plains hosted a bazaar Saturday to raise money for projects put on by their organization.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Emergency radio communication problems resolved

THOMPSON FALLS – The Sanders County Commissioners met with Safety Communications Manager Cody Best Thursday during their regularly scheduled meeting.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs one step closer to water tower

HOT SPRINGS – The town of Hot Springs will soon be getting a new water tower after the town council voted 3-0 to approve the funding needed for the project.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Plains Elementary School concludes Red Ribbon Week

PLAINS – Plains Elementary School concluded their Red Ribbon Week with a visit from the Elks anti-drug trailer Friday on the playground at Plains School.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Book authors

Shirley Rorvik and Karen Wills display their novels after a book talk put on by the Hot Springs Artists Society.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Flathead authors visit Hot Springs for book talk

HOT SPRINGS – The Hot Springs Artists Society presented book readings by two Flathead Authors Saturday at Wall Street Place.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs Halloween activities take over town for a night of scares

HOT SPRINGS – The Hot Springs Artist’s Society is holding their annual Halloween events in Hot Springs on Halloween night.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Coach's journey from small town to world stage

PLAINS – If you were to ask the average college basketball fan what they remember from the 1987 NCAA Tournament, they will more than likely say Keith Smart’s shot that captured Indiana’s fifth national title against Syracuse.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs Savage Heat to advance to playoffs

ST. REGIS – Hot Springs football captured their sixth win of the season on the road against St. Regis/Alberton Friday night 67 -18. The win also secured the conference title for Hot Springs.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Coach, players already excited for next season

EUREKA – The Plains Horsemen fell short to Eureka Friday on the gridiron 72-38.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Trotter volleyball

Senior Felicia Earhart passes the ball to her teammate in a recent game against Hot Springs. The Trotters would take the match in five sets.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Win or go home for the Trotters in districts

PLAINS – The Plains Trotters split with a win and loss this week in two games. Their week started Tuesday as they topped the Lady Savage Heat 25-14, 18-25, 25-19, 25-18 and ended with a conference loss to Bigfork in three sets 21-25, 17-25, 16-25.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Lady Savage Heat look to be aggressive at districts

HOT SPRINGS – The Lady Savage Heat had a busy week on their hands with three matches in five days.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Game Warden

Tom Chianelli watches for potential poachers and reaction of hunter vehicles from his truck at a checkpoint set up on Clear Creek near Thompson Falls.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

OUTDOORS: City slicker spends day with game warden

SANDERS COUNTY – Waking up early on a Sunday morning has never been part of my routine. Sunday’s are a day to relax and sleep late. I might go to the office around noon or so to finish up the stories for press time or whatever else I have to …
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Preschool fun

Jaycee Carr, Annika Rivinius and Jaelyn Carr get pulled around in a tractor during the annual Preschool Fundraiser. The fundraiser brought the community together for a common goal of helping the kids.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Preschool Fundraiser rallies community

PLAINS- The Little Star Pre-School held their annual Pumpkin Patch fundraiser Saturday on the greenway in Plains.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

SCCFF trains hotline volunteers in Plains

PLAINS- The Sanders County Coalition for Families held volunteer training for their helpline in Plains on Tuesday at the United Methodist Church.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Area trappers learn techniques from expert

PLAINS – Concerned citizens in Sanders County met Saturday to discuss the wolf population and to get an education on wolf trapping from Mark Schlenker, an experienced Alaskan wolf trapper.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

McGann retirement

Hospital retiree Gloria McGann received a welcome surprise from her daughter Lee as she celebrated her last day on duty.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Hospital says goodbye to McGann after 40 years

PLAINS – In 93 years of life Gloria McGann spent over 40 of those at Clark Fork Valley Hospital. She had been there from the beginning and finally has called it quits.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Earhar family

Kimberly Earhart. Kim Earhart, and Felicia Earhart take a family photo sporting their Trotter gear before a Saturday afternoon game at Troy.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Earhart makes volleyball a family affair

PLAINS – A daughter’s relationship with her father is sacred. It’s a special bond that is everlasting. He is the man who gives her away on her wedding day, he is the man who helped raise her, and for the Earhart girls, he is the man who coached them.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Savage Heat football

Senior Jimmy Holland celebrated senior night in Hot Springs by playing vigorously on both sides of the ball. He helped spark the second half defensive performance for the Savage Heat.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Savage Heat capture home field in first round of playoffs

HOT SPRINGS- The Savage Heat were able to capture another win Friday night at home against Lone Peak 76-30.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Plains volleyball

Junior Hailey Phillips shows off her vertical as she spikes the ball in Saturday's loss to Eureka at home. Phillips added 8 of the team's 34 kills on the afternoon.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Plains has volleyball senior night spoiled

PLAINS –The Plains Trotters got off to a slow start and could not recover from it on senior night Saturday 16-25, 12-25, 29-27, 22-25.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Plains football coach happy with effort from team

DEER LODGE – The Plains Horsemen came up short Friday against Deer Lodge losing 42-2.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Lady Savage Heat volleyball continue busy week

SEELEY LAKE – The Lady Savage Heat came up short to the Blackhawks of Seeley Lake-Swan 23-25, 27-25, 14-25, 25-16, 15-9 in a five set thriller.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs after school program

Raferdy Samson learns shotgun skills from Harry Greene as a part of Hot Springs after school program. The meal program runs as part of the program through different grants.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Grant changes after school meals in Hot Springs

HOT SPRINGS- Hot Springs schools are able to expand their after school snack program with the help of a grant from money provided from the state’s Child and Adult Care Food Program.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Bart Granlund

Bart Granlund is a 5th grade teacher at Hot Springs Elementary. He is a world traveler who settled in the small town.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs' new teacher causes a stir in town

HOT SPRINGS –Meet Bart Granlund, fifth grade teacher and the hottest thing at Hot Springs Elementary School. Granlund is a Montana native who has had the unique opportunity to travel all over the world and teach.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs Library holds fall fundraiser and sale

HOT SPRINGS – The Hot Springs Library was able to raise nearly $1,200 at their fall fundraiser on Saturday to help combat the projected revenue shortfall in their budget.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Plains football coach proud of team effort

PLAINS – The Plains Horsemen football team put up a good fight but fell short to the Bigfork Vikings 54-14.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Plains football

The Horseman tacklers bring down the Big Fork running back during the senior night game Friday at Plains.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Plains volleyball looking to attack the net

PLAINS – The Plains Trotters volleyball has put itself into a must win situation if they plan on getting the first round bye at districts after falling to Troy on Saturday in five sets.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Lady Savage Heat look to keep winning

HOT SPRINGS – The Hot Springs Lady Savage Heat were able to pick up a win against Superior Saturday in four sets 25-23,25-18,15-25,25-15.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Lady Savage Heat volleyball

Laurel Schmiedbauer returns the ball at the net during the game against Superior on Saturday.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs Mayor debate

Hot Springs candidates Leslee Smith, Randy Woods, Ed Persico, and Karen Evans discuss questions posed by Hot Springs High School students.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Candidate forum held at Hot Springs Senior Center

HOT SPRINGS – Hot Springs High School government class hosted a candidate forum Monday October 7 at the senior center. The forum featured mayoral candidates Randy Woods and Karen Evans and Ward II candidates Leslee Smith and Ed Persico. Dick Adams gave up his time to the candidates in contested …
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

CNSC fundraiser

CNSC President Kathy Miller speaks to the crowd about fundraising efforts in 2013.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Cancer Network hosts annual fundraiser

PLAINS - The Cancer Network of Sanders County held their annual fall fundraiser on October 5 at the Sanders County Fairgrounds Pavilion.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Fresh Off the Vine

Fresh Off the Vine performed at the Symes Hotel in Hot Springs on Sunday night, sharing their love of jazz music.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Symes hosts jazz band

HOT SPRINGS – The Hot Springs Artist’s Society presented an evening with Fresh Off the Vine, a jazz instrumental band from Whitefish. The band combined a unique guitar and cello medley to create a smooth relaxing experience for anyone listening.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs Savage Heat dominates on the field

HOT SPRINGS - Firing on all cylinders Friday night the Hot Springs Savage Heat pelted the Bears of Lima 74-0.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Trotters prep for rival Thompson Falls

PLAINS – Trotter volleyball fans were left disappointed Saturday in a straight set loss to the Bigfork Valkyries 19-25, 23-25, 18-25 despite a valiant effort. The Trotters were brought down by errors that allowed for early leads in each set by Bigfork, though the team never gave up and continued …
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Coach hopes to motivate players with tough love

HOT SPRINGS - The Lady Savage Heat split their two matches last week with a loss to St. Regis in four sets, but came out on top against Two Eagle River in straight sets.
VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO