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VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Results from Hot Springs, Noxon school board elections

Tuesday, May 7 patrons of the Hot Springs and Noxon school districts cast their ballots for candidates running for open school board positions. At the same, Hot Springs District No. 14 J voters made the choice to either support or deny support for a $30,000 school district levy, which would …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics set Saturday

Special Olympians and Sanders County law enforcement are teaming up for this year’s Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics Montana this Saturday, May 11.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Member of 'The Walking Dead' Marine unit recalls deadly battle from April 1967

James H. Stogner had his sights set on becoming a U.S. Marine even before his teenage years. His father was in the service, and he had a mindset of following in his footsteps.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Noxon's Stogner receives Navy Cross Medal

James Stogner of Noxon received the prestigious Navy Cross Medal during a special ceremony Friday afternoon, April 5 at the VFW in Polson.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Thilmony wins title at Montana Open at MetraPark

It would be proper to call it a “bookend” season for Thompson Falls freshman Trae Thilmony on the wrestling mat.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Plains golfers improving with every stroke of ball

Plains High School will be about as “green” as the grass on which they play for the 2019 golf season.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Plains/Hot Springs brings seasoned team with lots of depth to diamond

When divisional tournament time rolls around the first weekend of May, probably no one will want to face the Plains/Hot Springs softball team.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO

T-Falls starting out fresh on boys' team; girls have more vets T-Falls boys' track rebuilding, Lady Hawks shows balance

Thompson Falls has a handful of returning state meet qualifiers heading into the eventual opening of the 2019 track and field season.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO

Thompson Falls continues building process

Sometimes you have to take two steps forward and one step back when you’re rebuilding a high school sports program.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO

Brubaker, VanVleet, Weltzes lead Noxon

Four returning state qualifiers, including a defending champion, lead Noxon into the 2019 track and field season, which opens Saturday at the Eureka Invitational. Events begin at 10 a.m., weather permitting.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO

O Sole Trio performs April 13 in Paradise

Tickets are available now to attend the performance of “O Sole Trio,” the final event of Sanders County Arts Council’s 2018-19 Performing Arts Season.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO

Plains High School senior Paulsen wins Duck Stamp competition

Malachi Paulsen certainly has an “eye for art.” When he picks up a graphite, color or charcoal pencil, it seems like magical things happen.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO

Plains/Hot Springs' Higareda wins state championship

Plains/Hot Springs had one individual champion and two other place winners at the Western Montana Little Guy State Wrestling Tournament held last Friday and Saturday at the Whitefish Event Center at Whitefish High School.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO

Eberhardts enjoying Sanders County surroundings

Steve Eberhardt has created tens of thousands of images during his 45-year career as an artist, and he’s just getting warmed up.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO

Paradise area artist Eberhardt building his legacy

Sit down with Steve Eberhardt, and you’d believe he’s lived in western Montana all his life.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO

Ratliff, Sparks bound for National AAU Championships

It has been a very busy, and sometimes hectic time, for young amateur wrestlers over the last four or five weeks. The high school season ended in late February, and grapplers from 4 through 18 have spent hours on the mats during practice and competition.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO

Manhattan Christian wins C title

Manhattan Christian, Bigfork and Wolf Point captured championships at state basketball tournaments held last week.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO

Plains sixth-grader Ducept headed for Treasure State Spelling Bee

Plains Schools sixth-grader Kaitlyn Ducept emerged as the repeat champion of the 2019 Sanders County Spelling Bee held Friday, March 1 at the Sanders County Courthouse.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO

Poet Laureate Lowell Jaeger works to 'enliven your mind' at Arts Council event

Montana Poet Laureate Lowell Jaeger was the featured artist during the Sanders County Arts Council’s fifth event of its Tapestry Performing Arts Season for 2018-19.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO

Little Guy wrestlers back in action

Adverse weather conditions resulted in the cancellation of numerous Little Big Wrestling events last week in Sanders, Lake and Beaverhead counties. Organizers had the safety of everyone traveling to the USA Wrestling events in mind since poor road conditions were common the last week of February.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO

CASA's chili feed fundraiser March 14

CASA is the acronym for court appointed special advocate, and the organization is very valuable to at-risk youth throughout the country.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO

Plains students rewarded for 'I Love to Read' efforts

Learning can be a lot of fun — for students, teachers and staff — and it certainly was during the month of February at Plains Schools.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO

Blue Hawks can't keep pace with Wardens, Falcons at Divisional

Thompson Falls had aspirations of turning some good recent performances into a boys’ state tournament berth, but the Blue Hawks were eliminated from the Western B Divisional Tournament last week at the Ronan Event Center without recording a victory.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Lady Hawks fall to Loyola, Eureka at Western Divisional

It was not a turnover plague that proved to be the downfall for the Thompson Falls girls at the Western B Divisional Basketball Tournament last week at the Ronan Event Center. It was inability to show consistent offensive production.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Little Guys warm up at Superior mixer

Four Little Guy Wrestling teams met in Superior on Thursday to open the 2019 season.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Horsemen, Savage Heat, Devils fall short of divisional

Coaches in Class C boys’ basketball in Montana would likely agree that the 14C District, which includes Sanders, Lake and Mineral county teams, is arguably the top conference in the class — when you consider the quality from top to bottom.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Trotters fall to Arlee in 14C District challenge game

Only two girls’ basketball teams from the 14C District advance to the second level of postseason play, and none of the three Sanders County were able to move on to the next level.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Blue Hawks face Deer Lodge to open divisional play

Defending state champion Bigfork and Missoula Loyola will have the No. 1 seeds going in the boys’ bracket in the Western B Divisional Basketball Tournament which unfolds Thursday morning at the Ronan Event Center. The tourney runs through Saturday night’s girls’ and boys’ championship games.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Lady Hawks tangle with Loyola in divisional opener

There is no “secret potion” for the Thompson Falls girls as they enter postseason play this week in the Western B Divisional Basketball Tournament at the Ronan Event Center. The Lady Hawks, seeded third from the 7B District, face talented and deep Missoula Loyola — for the third time this …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Sparks, Thilmony, Vanderwall earn state wrestling medals

Three Sanders County wrestlers were place winners at the Montana High School Association All-Class State Wrestling Tournament held last Friday and Saturday at MetraPark in Billings.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Lady Hawks fall to Mission; host Bigfork for Senior Night

Playing without the services of 6-foot sophomore Megan Baxter, the Thompson Falls girls’ basketball team fell behind Mission early last Thursday at St. Ignatius, and the Lady Bulldogs posted a 53-38 non-district win.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Chinese New Year Parade a 'Hot Springs delight'

It was a cold day Saturday in the hotbed for therapeutic mineral water in Hot Springs, a popular place to visit for Sanders County residents and folk from afar.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Vanderwall, Thilmony lead teammates into state tourney

With each having one Western B-C Divisional tournament champion, Plains/Hot Springs and Thompson Falls/Noxon teams will send a total of nine wrestlers to the Class B-C State Tournament this Friday and Saturday at the Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Hot Springs put the heat on Horsemen, Devils

What is the hottest basketball team in Sanders County right now? It would be hard to argue that the Hot Springs boys have raised the temperature of their recent games. They are coming off a 2-0 weekend with impressive victories over county rivals Plains and Noxon.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Chinese New Year celebrated this Saturday in Hot Springs

If you have not seen a 30-foot-long dragon in person, it’s time you did.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Lady Devils struggle offensively

Noxon came out on the short end of the scoring in a pair of District 14C girls’ basketball road contests last week.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Heat top Victor and Valley Christian after loss to Arlee

Efficiency at the free-throw line was a key for Hot Springs while picking up a pair of boys’ basketball victories last week.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Horsemen bow to Arlee; beat Seeley-Swan

Plains fell to 4-4 in District 14C play with a 73-50 loss at Arlee last Thursday, then came back with a 49-44 non-conference victory at Seeley-Swan on Saturday.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Lady Hawks edge Noxon, 43-40; Lady Devils bury Two Eagle River

Facing competition in a class that is a step up in high school basketball can be beneficial, especially when you’re making a stretch run toward postseason play.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

No headline

Thompson Falls took a break from facing Class B teams last week, taking on a pair of Class C squads and posting victories in both contests.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Four Sanders County wrestlers titlists at Ted Kato Invite

A quartet of Sanders County wrestlers won individual titles at the 10-team annual Ted Kato Invitational held last Saturday at Thompson Falls High School.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Trotters lose to Charlo, bury Troy

Plains turned in one of the Trotters’ best defensive efforts of the season last Friday at Charlo, but had a tough time converting shots in a 40-19 District 14C loss to the Lady Vikes.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Farm and Ranch Management Workshop Feb. 12-13 in Plains

Plains will be the site of a Farm and Ranch Management Workshop on Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 12 and 13 in the 4-H Pavilion at the Sanders County Fairgrounds.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Horsemen & Trotters run their District 14C win streaks to four

Plains solidified its third-place spot in the District 14C standings by extending its boys’ basketball league winning streak to four, earning wins over Noxon and Two Eagle River last week.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Vanderwall, Thilmony earn titles at Choteau Classic

Two Sanders County high school wrestlers captured championships and four others were also medal winners at the Choteau Classic last Friday and Saturday.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Thompson Falls boys & girls suffer losses to Bigfork, Deer Lodge

It would be fair to call last week’s schedule for the Thompson Falls varsity boys’ basketball team the most difficult week of the regular season. After all, the Bluehawks were facing Class B teams ranked No. 1 and No. 5 in Montana.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs teams split with St. Regis, Charlo

Hot Springs completed the first half of District 14C play with a split of its conference games last week.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Savage Horsemen get lots of mat time at Ronan Duals

It’s often a “numbers game” in high school wrestling, especially in sparsely populated communities in Montana. Two of those are in Sanders County, the home of two co-ops — the Plains/Hot Springs Savage Horsemen, and the Thompson Falls/Noxon Bluehawks.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Thilmony title leads Bluehawks at Cut Bank Invitational

Four wrestlers on the Thompson Falls/Noxon high school squad brought home medals from the Cut Bank Booster Invitational last Saturday.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Lady Hawks hampered by plethora of turnovers

Every time you suffer a turnover in basketball, your team gets one fewer shot at the hoop. That’s been the nemesis for the Thompson Falls varsity girls’ squad, which averaged a lofty 37 turnovers in losses to Loyola Sacred Heart and Eureka last week.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Lundberg's double-double leads T-Falls to OT victory

Thompson Falls senior Grant Lundberg happened to have one the best overall games of his high school career when the Bluehawks faced Eureka in a District 7B game last Saturday in Thompson Falls.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Paradise man survives dangerous crash on 200

A Sanders County man had a “wild ride” to close out 2018 when the vehicle he was driving went off Montana Highway 200, flipped over and landed in the Clark Fork River the evening of Sunday, Dec. 30. He escaped with minor injuries.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Sanders County: The Year in Review (Part 2)

JULY

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Wrestlers compete in tournaments

Plains/Hot Springs and Thompson Falls/Noxon wrestling teams both closed out pre-holiday action by competing in tournaments.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Rummel, Brooker, Dryden, Scribner take oath of office

Four Sanders County officials were sworn in during an oath of office ceremony last Thursday, Dec. 27 in the justice courtroom at the Sanders County Courthouse.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

SCCDC hires business development coordinator

Sanders County Community Development Corporation (SCCDC) is taking a big step ahead in 2019 with the hiring of a business development coordinator.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Horsemen defeat Blue Hawks; T-Falls cruises by Troy

It was not a conference game, but the enthusiasm was certainly there last Friday night when Thompson Falls hosted Plains in varsity boys’ basketball.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Lady Hawks rally past Plains; top Troy in 14C opener

Thompson Falls picked up two victories in girls’ basketball last week to head into the holiday break while Plains suffered a pair of losses.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Savage Heat drop decisions to Mission and Valley Christian

Mission just had too much firepower for Hot Springs in a boys’ basketball contest Tuesday, Dec. 18 as the Bulldogs coasted to an 88-57 victory.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Red Devils give superlative effort in loss to Charlo

Playing without their most productive post man Rylan Weltz, Noxon fell just short of Charlo last Friday in Noxon, despite an excellent effort by the Red Devils. The Vikings took home a 62-52 conference win.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Members of 10,000 Shot Club honored

In each of the last three years, Thompson Falls Athletics has offered an opportunity for all K-12 student-athletes to continue to build his or her basketball skills by offering the 10,000 Shot Club.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Sanders County: The Year in Review (Part 1)

It was a year filled with a variety of local news in Sanders County in 2018, beginning with Dan Rowan being sworn in as mayor of Plains and pre-Christmas activities.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Toys for Tots serves 175 kids in Sanders County families

U.S. Marine Corps League, Detachment 1041 out of Polson, has completed its 2018 Toys for Tots drive in Sanders County.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Red Devils top Troy, Two Eagle River

Noxon ran its win streak to start to the season to 6-0 with wins over Troy at home last Thursday, and Two Eagle River on Friday in Pablo.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Savage Horsemen win 12 of 15 matches at the Arlee Mixer

Twelve wins in 15 wrestling matches is a good percentage, at any level.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

one down, four to go Pies erects first Wild Horse of Plains prototype

It’s an ongoing, five-step process for Kenton Pies, whose Wild Horses of Plains project has cleared the first hurdle.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Blue Hawks eighth, Savage Horsemen tie for ninth, Clark Fork 11th at Bob Kinney Classic

Despite taking only four wrestlers, Thompson Falls/Noxon finished in eighth place at the 12-school annual Bob Kinney Classic held Saturday in Superior.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Red Devils go to 4-0 with pair of wins

Noxon extended its varsity boys’ basketball mark to 4-0 with a pair of victories last week.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Horsemen offense sputters in loss to Darby in home opener

Plains put up a fight defensively in last Saturday’s non-conference boys’ basketball game against Darby in the Horsemen’s home opener, but came up short on the offensive end in a 47-39 loss.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Ceremonial Honor Guard Hot Springs' Anthony Byrns serves as casket bearer during President Bush's interment

Anthony Byrns is only 22 years old and already has one of those memories that will last a lifetime.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs man serves as casket bearer for President Bush's interment

Anthony Byrns is only 22 years old and already has one of those memories that will last a lifetime.

DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Thilmony captures title at Owen Invite

What a way to kick off you high school wrestling career …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Lady Heat breeze by Lincoln, Seeley-Swan

Holding their first two opponents to an average of just 25 points per game, the Hot Springs girls posted two wins in the Western C Tip-Off Basketball Tournament last weekend in Frenchtown.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Horsemen split Tip-Off tourney games

Plains split its first two varsity boys’ basketball games of the season at the Western C Tip-Off Tournament in Frenchtown, falling to Drummond 53-47 and rebounding to earn a 54-32 victory over Valley Christian.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Tree of Hearts program underway

Fruit grows on trees, in season, all around the world. But the tree that is now in season in Sanders County is the Tree of Hearts.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Elks Hoop Shoot champs crowned at the local level

Six Sanders and Mineral county youth advanced to the district level of the Elks National Hoop Shoot in January with first-place finishes at the Clark Fork Valley Elks Hoop Shoot held Sunday, Nov. 11 at Thompson Falls High School.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Elks Hoop Shoot champs crowned

Six Sanders County youth advanced to the district level of the Elks National Hoop Shoot in January with first-place finishes at the Clark Fork Valley Elks Hoop Shoot held Sunday, Nov. 11 at Thompson Falls High School. The event was sponsored by the Clark Fork Valley Elks Lodge.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

County hoop, wrestling teams preparing for season openers

Most Sanders County high school basketball and wrestling teams are halfway through their preseason practices in preparation for their 2018-19 seasons.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs Lions Club hosts fundraiser

Lions Club International chapters around the world have a great reputation for serving communities in need, and the Hot Springs Lions Club got excellent support during their OGNIB fundraiser Sunday afternoon and evening at Hot Springs School. The multi-purpose room was filled to capacity as game players vied to take …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Lacy assumes role as Thompson Falls mayor

It’s a very familiar face in the position as new mayor of Thompson Falls.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Clark Fork Valley Hospital getting orthopedic surgeon

Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains has announced that the facility will add a new orthopedic surgeon in January 2019.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs Artists Society raises funds with art auction

You never know whom you’ll encounter when you visit the soothing mineral waters at Symes Hot Springs Resort, located in Hot Springs in Sanders County, or to go there for art-related events.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Kinder Cafe at Plains School features fun 1950s theme

Katie Hillerman’s kindergarten classroom at Plains School was transformed into a 1950s-style diner called Mrs. Hillerman’s Kinder Cafe last Friday, and it was a very “fun day” for all of her students, and their teacher.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Trotters eliminated at C Divisional

Plains’ varsity volleyball team put up a fight at the Western B Divisional Tournament last week at Manhattan Christian High School, but was unable to advance far enough in the bracket to challenge for a state tournament berth.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Lady Hawks just short of state B qualification

All a high school volleyball coach can realistically ask from his or her players is to be playing your best when tournament time rolls around, and to “leave it on the floor” each time you go out to compete.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Mustangs stampede to 74-57 victory over Hot Springs

Mustangs are known for their wild and sometimes unruly behavior. And the Mustangs of Jordan were too tough to tame for the Hot Springs Savage Heat in the second round of the Class C 6-man football state playoffs on a cool and sometimes windy afternoon in Sanders County.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Goodwin benefit raises $20,000

Sanders County folk, and many others from outside the area, turned out in droves for a Spaghetti Benefit Dinner last Saturday evening, Oct. 27 at the Plains VFW.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Noxon eliminated from C playoffs with loss to Geraldine-Highwood

The Red Devils of Noxon High School knew they had their collective hands full when they traveled to Highwood to challenge Geraldine-Highwood in the first round of the Class C 6-man football state playoffs last Saturday.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Savage Heat host Jordan after 49-24 win over DGS

It’s like climbing a challenging ladder for the Hot Springs High School football team. The Savage Heat made it to the first rung by earning the No. 1 seed from the West Division in the Class C 6-man state playoffs.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Plains captures District 14C Volleyball Tournament title

Sometimes the strength of a conference in high school volleyball does not really show until you get into postseason play. That was exhibited in the District 14C Tournament last Thursday and Friday at Hot Springs High School.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Painting by Plains veteran features President Trump in Missoula scene

Dave Williams is a Navy veteran who spends much of his free time painting, from portraits to beautiful scenery and much more. He moved to Plains in 2001 and recently completed the Galloping Herd of Horses depicted in paintings that had been hanging on the fence opposite the downtown area …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Savage Heat enter playoffs as No. 1 seed after 69-0 win

Hot Springs needed a conference win over Lima on Senior Night last Friday to secure the No. 1 seed from the West Division in the 6-man state playoffs, and the Savage Heat cruised to their second straight shutout victory — burying Lima 69-0.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Noxon challenges top-seeded Geraldine-Highwood

With the No. 4 seed from the West Division, Noxon has earned a berth in the Class C 6-man football state playoffs. The Red Devils, fresh off a convincing 56-14 conference road win over Valley Christian, travel to play Geraldine-Highwood at 1 p.m. Saturday in Highwood. The Rivals are the …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Heat can claim No. 1 playoff seed with win over Lima

With the top seed in the football state playoffs from the Class C 8-man Western Division at stake, Hot Springs closes the regular season by hosting Lima on Friday night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs spikers top Arlee, fall to Charlo

Postseason play in Montana high school volleyball begins next week, and Hot Springs will likely have the No. 3 seed in the District 14C Tournament on the Lady Savage Heat’s home court. That tourney is set for Thursday and Friday, Oct. 25 and 26.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Red Devils face VC for state playoff berth

It’s “do or die” for Noxon in Class C 8-man football going into the last week of the 2018 regular season.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

No headline

Plains took on homestanding Victor last Saturday, and dropped a 44-34 decision.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs spikers take on Arlee, Charlo

Hot Springs had a two-match split on the varsity volleyball court last week, with each match running the full gamut of five sets.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Savage Heat top Heart Butte; VC next foe

It was a nice evening for early October in Hot Springs last Friday, but lighting bolts were prevalent during the first quarter while the Savage Heat were hosting Heart Butte in Hot Springs’ Homecoming game.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Savage Heat rout Sheridan, 76-6

Behind an explosive offense and stingy defense, Hot Springs rolled to its fifth straight Class C 6-man football victory last Friday, burying visiting Sheridan, 76-6.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Mission outscores Horsemen, 44-40

Plains put more emphasis on the fundamentals of football last week in practice, and the renewed focus really showed in the Horsemen’s Homecoming game Friday night against Mission High School from St. Ignatius.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Bluehawks play Friday at Deer Lodge

Missoula Loyola made the trip to Thompson Falls to take on the Bluehawks in their Homecoming game, and took home a 41-6 victory.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

HS spikers split matches

Hot Springs High School split its varsity volleyball matches last week, earning a three-set sweep over St. Regis at home Thursday before falling at Seeley-Swan in a closely contested five-set match Saturday.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Savage Heat tied for league lead; host Sheridan Friday

Going into the last three weeks of the regular season, Hot Springs finds itself in a four-way tie for first place in the Western Division of Class C 6-man football.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Noxon routs Sheridan; hosts Gardiner for Homecoming

Noxon stayed in contention for a Class C 8-man football playoff berth with a 55-14 road victory over Sheridan last Friday.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs falls short of bracket at MC Shootout

Continuing to battle adversity caused by injuries and illness, Hot Springs came up a bit short of qualifying for bracket play Saturday in the Mineral County Shootout in Superior and St. Regis.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Lions Clubs 'making a world of difference'

If you go online to the Lions Clubs International website, this is what you’ll find printed on the home page:

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Savage Heat, Red Devils 'road warriors' Hot Springs plays at Gardiner; Noxon travels to Sheridan

Hot Springs scored three unanswered touchdowns in the third quarter to open up a tight game last Friday night in Noxon, and the Savage Heat went on to earn a 64-36 victory over the Red Devils.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs spikers fall to Arlee and Charlo

Hot Springs suffered a pair of five-set losses to strong Arlee and Charlo teams last week, dropping the Lady Savage Heat to 3-2 in the Western Division of Class C volleyball.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Savage Heat bury West Yellowstone Hot Springs faces Noxon Friday in key contest

Hot Springs stayed in position to contend for a Class C 6-man Western Division title with a convincing 50-18 home-field victory over the West Yellowstone Wolverines last Friday night.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs spikers face Arlee, Charlo after pair of victories

They there are “power in numbers” in sports, but that’s not necessarily the case for high school volleyball.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Noxon allows win over WSS to slip away Red Devils prepare to host Savage Heat Friday

Noxon was in position to take over first place in the Western Division of Class C 6-man football last Friday night against visiting White Sulphur Springs, but the Hornets rallied from a late nine-point deficit to post a 32-27 win.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs 'turns up the heat' on Hanna

Number of players available, or lack thereof, can have an adverse affect on a high school football team. Not so in Hot Springs’ 6-man season opener last Friday night against J.C. Charyk of Hanna, Alberta, Canada.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Noxon rolls past Lincoln in opener

Noxon made some big noise in 6-man football in the season opener last Friday at home, steamrolling the Lincoln Lynx 70-0 in Western Division play.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Lady Savage Heat spikers off to solid start

Hot Springs High School got its varsity volleyball season off to a solid start, playing four matches in the Drummond Tournament last Saturday.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Avista charity golf tourney raises $21,000 for WMMHC

It was a record-breaking day at the River’s Bend Golf Course just outside Thompson Falls on Saturday, as more than $21,000 was raised during the Avista’s 10th Annual Charity Golf Scramble and Silent Auction. Golfers from 18 teams enjoyed the opportunity to contribute to the cause, and savor the camaraderie …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Savage Heat field varsity 8-man team

Hot Springs High School goes back to the varsity level in Class C 6-man football for the 2018 season, and that presents an exciting opportunity for returning head coach Jim Lawson and the Savage Heat program.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Horsemen gridders hungry for more success

Plains High School has seen very positive signs of the Horsemen’s football program being turned around, when you look back at last season.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

'Love's Labour's Lost' a Shakespeare masterpiece

William Shakespeare was certainly the premier storyteller during the Elizabethan era in the late-16th century, and is also perhaps the best playwright of any era.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Plains Public Library celebrates centennial

The Plains Public Library celebrated its centennial in style last Saturday, Aug. 18 with a book sale, raffle, silent auction and kids’ games just outside the facility on West Railroad Avenue.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Sanders County Fair opens Monday

Countdown continues for the annual Sanders County Fair, set for Monday, Aug. 27 through Sunday, Sept. 2 in Plains.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Community celebrates Paradise Center opening

{Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of articles about the Paradise Center in Paradise, a depiction of some local history, and the future of the arts in the community.}

LAKE COUNTY LEADER | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Community celebrates Paradise Center opening

{Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of articles about the Paradise Center in Paradise, a depiction of some local history, and the future of the arts in the community.}

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Artists in Paradise featured during Paradise Center open house

{Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of articles about depictions of Paradise history and the future of the arts in the community.}

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO