WSA check

WSA President Cory Ovitt accepts the check from Jim Blush of Blackfoot Communications on March 5.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Wildhorse Sports Association receives grant

PLAINS – Wildhorse Sports Association received a $5,000 grant from Blackfoot telecommunications last Tuesday, putting the organization closer to their goal of constructing a very ornate and much-needed sports complex at the old Plains airport.

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Town Council

Mayor Brinson is deep in thought during the Plains Town council meeting on Monday, March 4 at Plains City Hall.

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Plains Town council passes water bond upgrade

PLAINS – The March meeting for the Plains Town Council commenced March 4, where council members voted on and passed the water bond upgrade and also addressed town property and storage use.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Silly celebrations

PLAINS - School children were excited for books, and even more for the rewards for reading on Friday as Plains celebrated the end of I Love to Read Month.

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Lance Pavlik

Pavlik at his Jan. 8 appearance at Sanders County District Court.

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Pavlik's sentencing to occur next week

THOMPSON FALLS - Lance Pavlik, former Thompson Falls golf coach and Thompson Falls School Board vice-chair is scheduled to appear in Sanders County District Court on Tuesday, March 12 for his sentencing.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Local athletes selected for upcoming All-Star game

SANDERS COUNTY - Seven athletes from Sanders County teams have been selected to play in the upcoming Mission Mountain All-Star basketball game.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Veterans

Boxes were unloaded, then cut open, then the supplies were carried and organized in the 4-H barns at the Sanders County Fairgrounds.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Plains NHW inducts new members

PLAINS - The Plains High School National Honor Socitey inducted several new members last Tuesday, and the values instilled in the organization were displayed for all to see.

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NHS induction

Plains High School principal Larry McDonald tells a joke during his speech to the new inductees of the National Honor Society.

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love to read 6

Kindergartners and first-graders are wowed by Mr. Benson's science experiment on Friday for I Love To Read Month.

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Plains third graders Skylar Bergstrom and Mykenzi Blood silly-string Principal Jim Holland on Friday at the celebration assembly for I Love To Read Month for Plains School. Top readers from each grade had the chance to silly-string both Holland and Superintendent Thom Chisholm.

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love to read 4

Plains School Superintendent Thom Chisholm silly-strings colleague Jim Holland, Plains Elementary principal, on Friday for the I Love To Read celebration. Top readers from each grade had the chance to silly-string the duo.

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love to read 3

Ms. Errecart's kindergarten class shows off their "Cat in the Hat" crafts in celebration of Dr. Seuss's birthday and I Love to Read Month.

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Dragon Festival 4

Ali Blackbird of Hot Springs drums in the drum circle.

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Dragon Festival 3

Varian Blanchard of Hot Springs beats on an 'earth drum' Saturday at the Dragon Festival.

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Dragon Festival 2

The dragon lays on the ground after the annual Dragon Festival march. The march took place at 4 p.m. Saturday in Hot Springs and was followed by a drum circle, a bonfire and a fire dance show.

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Sanders Co. Fair board

Fair commission directors Regina Skoczylas, Jim Newman and Bill Kenyon look over submitted papers at the February meeting last week.

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Fair commission follow-up: Moneyless tabled for 1 year.

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Trotters on the bus

The Plains Trotters get ready to take off in their decorated charter bus on Wednesday afternoon and make the trek to Kalispell for the highly anticipated Western B Divisional Tournament.

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Trotters wrap up season at Divisional Tourney

KALISPELL - The Trotters traveled to Flathead High School last Wednesday for a chance to rank at Divisionals, but sadly, came home without a win. However, the girls still learned from their play and the young team vows to go back stronger, next year.

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Trotter Carley VonHeeder makes a beautiful basket against Whitefish.

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Best photos 6

Senior post Jeremiah Crawford powers up for a basket against the Troy Trojans.

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Best photos 3

Lady Savage Heat junior Laurel Schmiedbauer takes the ball down in a sprint against Thompson Falls.

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Best photos 2

Hot Springs Mike Gray goes up for a layup during a team scrimmage.

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Little guy wrestling 4

A Plains-Hot Springs wrestler gets the dominant position over his Polson competition.

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Little guy wrestling 3

Plains little guy grappler Tanner Russell goes up against a Thompson Falls wrestler.

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Little guy wrestling 2

A Hot Springs grappler hits the mat with a Polson wrestler.

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Little guy wrestlers 1

Plains wrestler Levi Blood grapples with a kiddo from Ronan.

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Hot Springs play 8

Curly Hare Jr. Fan Club bunnies cheerfully cheer on Cutesy Curly.

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Hot Springs play 7

Cutesy Curly Rabbit, played by Hot Springs student Sage Jackson, talks about how great she is before the race begins.

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Hot Springs play 6

Coach and other reptile supporters sing about the greatest race.

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Hot Springs play 5

Amy Anderson commends the work of the students before the play.

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Hot Springs play 4

Mammal characters sing and dance in the play opening number on Thursday in Hot Springs School.

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Hot Springs play 3

Artist Pose: Ava Erny, Savannah Vogel, Moira Lonergan, Ariah Erny, Darian Creamer, and Katana Bowen strike a pose.

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Hot Springs play 2

Allyson Tracy expresses the need for Coach (played by Anna Rose Vogel-Miller) to race against Curly.

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Hot Springs play 1

Hot Springs students hop like little bunnies in the production of "The Tortoise Versus the Hare: The Greatest Race" with Missoula Children't Theatre on Thursday.

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Rollover on Hwy 135 leaves none injured

PLAINS/PARADISE – A single vehicle rolled on Montana highway 135 late Monday morning from which no injuries were reported.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Valentine kids 3

Taylor Faner, 4, holds her Valentine balloon while visiting her sister's kindergarten class.

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Valentine kids 2

First-graders Cassie Peacock and Thor Smith read Valentine cards from their boxes during the party.

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Valentine kids 1

First graders Teiranny Bellinger and Danny Black examine the contents of their Valentine boxes during their party.

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Fair commission decides theme, moneyless

PLAINS - The February meeting for the Sanders County Fair Commission was conducted Monday night at the fairgrounds and issues such as the “moneyless” decision, the 2013 Fair theme, and a chnage in the by-laws.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Dragon Festival to be a fun time

HOT SPRINGS - This weekend, the Town of Hot Springs will come alive with fire for the annual Dragon Festival, formerly known as the Chinese New Year Festival.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Lady Hawks take on the Trotters

Senior Lady Hawk Kelsey Fitchett tries to dribble and pass the ball past Senior Trotter Jessica Hansen during the heated rivalry game on Thursday night before the District Tournament in Ronan.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Lady Hawks avenge the Trotters for victory

THOMPSON FALLS – The Lady Hawks and Trotters once again faced off, and the third time was a charm.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs season ends

The Savage Heat and Lady Savage Heat ended their seasons this past weekend at their respective District Tournaments, losing out to county rival Noxon (boys) and Charlo (girls).

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Horsemen fall to Lions during play-in game

PLAINS - The Horsemen suffered a tough loss (56-60) for a play-in game last Tuesday at home, giving the Eureka Lions a win and subsequently a spot in the district 7-B tournament.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Taking a shot at glory

Plains Trotter freshman Carley VonHeeder follows through on her three-pointer shot on the buzzer during the game against Whitefish on Feb. 7 at home. The Trotters defeated Whitefish, 52-24.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Plains looks to district

PLAINS - The young Trotter basketball squad had a victory at home Thursday night and a rough game on the road at Frenchtown; however, they look good to go for the 7-B District Tournament. While the Horsemen’s place in the tournament hung by the thread of a game against Eureka …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs seniors shine at home games

HOT SPRINGS - The Savage Heat and Lady Savage Heat battled on the home court against St. Regis on Saturday and came out on top with the leadership of their seniors.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Plains town council to propose water rate changes

PLAINS - This week, the Town of Plains released a notification to residents the oncoming water rate changes proposal meeting later this month. It was stated in the information sheet, which was sent to residents via the Postal Service, that on Feb. 4, 2013 at the monthly council meeting, the …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Savage Heat squads host Plains for knock-out games

HOT SPRINGS - The Savage Heat and Lady Savage Heat squads took on county rivals Plains Horsemen and Trotters on Saturday that resulted in interesting play and memorable baskets.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Hawaiian Family Fun Night educates kids and parents

TROUT CREEK - Students and parents experienced a taste of Hawaii on Wednesday night for Family Fun Night at the Trout Creek School that left many laughing, dancing, and chanting, “Aloha!”

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Hawaiian family fun night 6

Dralin Arnold dances the Hukilau.

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Hawaiian family fun night 5

Trout Creek students learn to do the hula at the Hawaiian-themed family fun night.

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Hawaiian family fun night 4

Rusti Leivestad of Trout Creek does the Hula dance for the students.

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Hawaiian family fun night 3

Dralin Arnold smiles as she and dance partner Rusti Leivestad dance the Hukilau for Trout Creek Family Fun Night.

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Hawaiian family fun night 2

Trout Creek students follow the lead of Darlin Arnold (far right) as they dance the Hukilau.

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Hawaiian Family Fun Night 1

Dralin Arnold shows Trout Creek students Serenity Barrus, Gabrielle Hannum, and Julissa Bonney the steps and arm movements of the Hawaiian dance, the Hukilau at the Hawaiian-themed Family Fun Night.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Thompson Falls school board accepts Pavlik's resignation

THOMPSON FALLS - The Thompson Falls school board met Monday night for their February meeting, and officially accepted the resignation of board vice-chair, Lance Pavlik.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Paradise School Board

Paradise School clerk Teresa Kendall and school board chair Karval Pickering respond to a question at the meeting on Jan. 29.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Paradise School board looks to uphold future for building

PARADISE - The Paradise School Board held a meeting last Tuesday night to discuss ideas and the timeline pertaining to the school’s closing at the end of the current academic year.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Plains-Hot Springs wrestles at Darby

The Savage Horsemen wrestling team traveled to Darby this past weekend for the annual Darby/Corvallis Invitational. Due to illness the field of teams was down a couple this year to seven. Plains/Hot Springs placed 4th (and also placed 4th at the Ted Kato in T-Falls) overall in team standings and …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Horsemen basketball

Senior Dallas Burgess keeps the ball from a Eureka player at Saturday night's game at home.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Horsemen get a win over Eureka Lions at home

PLAINS - The Horsmen basketball team has proven itself to be a scrapper squad with the win and almost-win this past weekend, and more tough games are coming their way.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Savage Heat fall to foes over weekend games

HOT SPRINGS - The Savage Heat had a tough weekend on the court as they faced and were defeated by both Seeley-Swan and Superior, and one of those games was a loss by just one basket.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Bowl-N-Blast

Joe Bache bowls his best at the bowling portion of the second annual Bowl-N-Blast for the Plains Trap Club on Saturday. Bache's team took third place overall, out of 14 teams.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Plains Trap Club holds Bowl-N-Blast

PLAINS - The second annual Bowl-n-Blast event took place on Saturday at the Plains Trap Club and VFW that hosted a good time for participants.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Ovitt Auction

Benefit dinner attendees watch and listen to the entertaining auctioneering by Gene Johnson on Saturday at the VFW Hall.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Benefit dinner, auction for Ovitt a raging success

PLAINS - A local resident was in need of help, and the community answered Saturday at a benefit dinner and auction at the Plains VFW post.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Sheriff Rummel stands

Sheriff Tom Rummel stands strong for the statement released early last week that detailed his view on gun control

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Sheriff Rummel humbled by support

SANDERS COUNTY - An American icon once said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy,” and it was in the example set by Sanders County Sheriff Tom Rummel last week …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Paradise School confirmed to shut down

PARADISE - The confirmation of the closing of historic Paradise School has many in the Plains-Paradise area wondering what they can do to help, but as Paradise School board chair Karval Pickering said, “the only constant thing is change.” Yet now, the focus remains on the future of the building …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Sheriff Tom Rummel

Sanders County Sheriff Tom Rummel stands strong for the statement released earlier this week that detailed his view on gun control and his devotion to uphold his oath to defend the Constitution of both the United States and state of Montana.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Lumber Prices at eight-year high

According to a news release, prices of lumber increased to an eight-year high, increasing the price of 22 percent from mid-November to January. The boom is accredited to the recovery of the U.S. housing market as well as rising exports to China. In Sanders County and Mineral County, there are …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Horsemen Basketball

Aaron Baker looks for a basket against Bigfork - and big man - defense on Jan. 17 in Plains.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Horsemen, Trotters win some and lose some

PLAINS - The Horsemen and Trotters faced a tough yet successful weekend in which they played Bigfork and Troy, and the Trotters came out with two wins over the intense competition.

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Coach Lawson 1

Hot Springs football head coach Jim Lawson watches a play Friday, Sept. 14 against St. Regis.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Lawson wins MCA's Coach of the Year

HOT SPRINGS – Savage Heat Football is still racking up recognition months after the regular season and six-man state championship game, but this kind of recognition is for the man behind the successful program, Coach Jim Lawson.

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Fair Commission

Fair commission chair Bruce Icenoggle, left, and vice chair Chris McGuigan address a public comment Monday night.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Fair commission talks budget

PLAINS – The Sanders County Fair Commission hosted its first meeting of the New Year and touched on a variety of topics involving the upcoming fair.

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Orville Bjorge

Orville Bjorge (left) happily shakes the hand of Hal Roys, who gifted Bjorge a paid membership dues for 2013 on behalf of the American Legion Post #112 of Polson. Bjorge has been a member for 56 years.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Local veteran celebrates 90th year

HOT SPRINGS – Ninety years of life – and what can a man show for so much time lived? For Orville Bjorge, it is a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, a piece of his Norwegian father’s original homestead land, the ability to endure the aging process by maintaining independence, and …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Savage Horsemen wrestling

Dusten Henning takes down a Noxon kiddo at the Plains Quad tourney on Thursday.

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Plains performs well at Quad, Chaoteau

PLAINS - The band of Plains and Hot Springs wrestlers just keep improving with time as they progress with tournaments and challenges.

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Horsemen basketball

Sophomore Aaron Baker takes a shot over a few Wardens players on Dec. 21 in Plains.

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Horsemen defear the Chiefs at home

PLAINS - The Horsemen came out swinging against Ronan on Friday night and scored a victory, 54-47, and head coach Russ Baker said it was due to heighth, and working the inside.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Tiara Thompson

Tiara Thompson pictured here in a volleyball game won the National Athledership Grant sponsored by NCSA Athletic Recruiting and the NFLPA.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Plains Town Council meets for January; Two new fire department members announced

PLAINS - The Plains Town Council met last Monday night and among the major announcements made at the meeting, Plains Volunteer Fire Department Chief Joe Sheppard announced to the council that they have welcomed two new members.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Icy Roads

Slick roadways have been reported around Sanders County. Drivers are advised to slow down and pay careful attention to their surroundings.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Nagy shoots

Wyatt Nagy takes a nice shot from inside the paint for a score. Nagy led the Savage Heat in scoring, putting up 12 points total.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Savage Heat blaze past Red Devils, Horsemen over weekend

HOT SPRINGS/PLAINS - The weekend was a good one for the Savage Heat basketball team with victories over the Noxon Red Devils and Plains Horsemen; proving their athletic talents lay not just in football.

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Fast break

Logan Beckman keeps her defense strong as she drives the ball in for a shot.

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Lady Hawks take win from Trotters

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Wildhorse Sports Association gets more aid in New Year

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Pavlik

Pavlik appears in Sanders County District Court on Tuesday, Jan. 8.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Rocky Point

Rocky Point from River Road East in Plains

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Trotters basketball

Sophomore Sami Kinzie gets aggressive on Dec. 21 against Deer Lodge.

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Horsemen basketball

Senior Jon Baker makes a pass to a teammate on Dec. 21 against Deer Lodge.

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Horsemen & Trotters host Deer Lodge

PLAINS - The Plains Horsemen and Trotters basketball teams hosted Deer Lodge squads the weekend before last prior to the holiday, and after hard-fought battles, neither pulled out a win.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Bluehawk wrestling takes small band to Mission tourney

THOMPSON FALLS - Prior to the holiday vacation, the Bluehawk wrestling squad traveled to compete at the Mission Mountian Classic wrestling tournament in St. Ignatius.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Savage Heat fall to Superior Bobcats

HOT SPRINGS - The Savage Heat hosted the Superior Bobcats on Dec. 22 for a close match-up that resulted in a loss.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Lady Hawks beat Troy

THOMPSON FALLS - The Lady Hawks took it to Troy last weekend with a win, 45-26, that put them on the map in their league play going into the holiday.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Savage Horsemen wrestlers bring it to the mat

PLAINS - Head coach of Plains/Hot Springs wrestling Kenny Marjerrison is quite proud of his squad so far this season.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Swearing in officials

Sanders County Commissioner Tony Cox reads the ceremonial procedures for the swearing in of Carol Brooker, Candace Fisher and Beth Rice-Groshong on Dec. 27 at the Sanders County Commissioners conference room in Thompson Falls.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Newly elected officials sworn into office

THOMPSON FALLS - It was a short, but very sweet swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, three recently-elected officials were celebrated.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

River Road West accident

A vehicle slide-off accident on River Road West is investigated on Dec. 21 by MHP, Plains PD and Plains Volunteer Fire Department. The driver of the pickup truck was injured, but was transported to CFVH by private vehicle and injuries were reported to not be serious.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Slide-off occurs on River Road West

PLAINS - A single vehicle slide-off occured on Friday, Dec. 21 that resulted in minor injuries of a minor male traveling on River Road West. The young man had been coming from a residence when a gradual turn became an icy mishap. According to authorities, the driver lost control of …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Arson fire devastates tire facility

HOT SPRINGS - Arson was the cause of the large fire at Enviro-Tire near Lonepine on Dec. 22, and according to officials, new leads have not arisen despite the $3,000 reward offered for any information.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Savage Heat take out TERS, fall to Arlee

HOT SPRINGS - In their District 14-C opener of the regular basketball season, the Savage Heat came out big against Two Eagle River on Friday night.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Lady Savage Heat get a Friday win

HOT SPRINGS - At home Friday night, the Lady Savage Heat got their first win of the regular basketball season over Two Eagle River.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Horsement basketball

Senior post Jeremiah Crawford powers up for a basket Friday night against the Troy Trojans. Crawford had 22 points to the game.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Horsemen put up tough fight

PLAINS - The Horsemen came out strong against the Troy Trojans Friday night with some breakout performances, but were unable to seal the deal with a win.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Symes Christmas knit footwear

Ruthie Israel knits a pattern to make one of her knitted-felt shoes. Israel has made the "very comfortable" footwear for 15 years.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Symes Christmas pot holders

Bernadette Hall holds up one of her handmade "Amazing Pot Holders" at the Christmas at the Symes holiday bazaar. Hall makes just 30 pot holders each year for the event.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Symes Christmas Santa

Robert Dobrovolyny as Santa Claus greets guests of the Christmas at the Symes celebration in Hot Springs on Sunday.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Trotters vs. Trojans 4

Senior Trotter Jessica Hansen (#40) looks for the fastbreak as teammate Sami Kinzie (left) knocks out the ball from the Lady Trojans' possession.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Trotters vs. Trojans 3

Sophomore Trotter Hailey Phillips handles with care going into the offensive play against Troy.

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Trotters vs. Trojans 2

Felicia Earhart and a Lady Trojan race to get the ball after a turnover Friday night.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Trotters vs. Trojans 1

Carley VonHeeder gets her defensive guard up against a Lady Trojan Friday night.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Trotters make comeback against Lady Trojans for win

PLAINS –After a lackluster start against the Lady Trojans in clutch game of basketball, the Trotters were the comeback kids of Friday night after pulling through with a win.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Hwy 135 Rollover 2

Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District assistant chief Lee Mercier looks for the location of the battery while Lt. Pat Erving secures the scene.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Hwy 135 Rollover

Assistant Chief Lee Mercier and another firefighter from Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District examine the vehicle.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Vehicle rolls over on Hwy 135, none injured

PARADISE - At approximately 3:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, a one-vehicle rollover was reported on Highway 135 near mile marker 19.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Pavlik to appear in January

THOMPSON FALLS - What was originally set to be his initial court appearance on Dec. 11 has been changed to Jan. 8 due to a motion filed by accused offender Lance Pavlik’s lawyer, Lance Jasper.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Air

Noxon guard Neal Jopling soars in for a layup during the Sanders County Tip-Off Tourney boys championship game against Thompson Falls in Plains on Saturday night. Jopling was named MVP for the tournament.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Staff Meeting

Thom Chisholm gets Ayda Griffin to draw the lucky ticket for a prize at Monday's Plains staff metting.

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Rollover

MHP and Plains-Paradise Rural Fire investigate the scene on Hwy 135 Dec. 13.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Post Up

Brady Ovitt passes the ball beneath Wyatt Winbrenner's legs Saturday during the Horsemen Basketball white-vs-black team scrimmage.

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

Mayor Brinson

Town of Plains Mayor Michael Brinson speaks with the town council Monday, Dec. 3.

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

County Attorney files charges against Pavlik

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

Fair board

Fair board members and fairgrounds manager Mike Hashisaki listen to public commentary Monday, Nov. 19.

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

"We Are the Champions"

Savage Heat seniors Mike Gray (center), Wyatt Nagy (left) and Dave Cross (right) hold the state champions trophy Saturday, Nov. 17 shortly after their victory over Big Sandy, 77-0, as Queen's "We Are the Champions" plays over the speakers.

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

Man rescued after apparent hunting accident

PLAINS - A 63-year-old male shot himself in the thigh earlier this morning at the top of Henry Creek, which is east of Plains off Montana highway 200.

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

Horton

Garrett Horton, 17, will travel to Washing D.C. to take part in an annual Youth Leadership Conference.

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

Elections

Absentee ballots were sifted and sorted through in preparation of the elections.

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

Happy Amy

First grader Amy McDaniels gets excited for cookie decorating at the 'Western' Family Fun Night in Hot Springs School while her teacher, Kris Paro, prepares her plate.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

At the candidate Meet-and-Greet

Ron Olfert at the Main Street Meet-and-Greet in Plains on Oct. 8.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Red Ribbon Week

Kristi Nichols, C/1LT gives Paradise schoolchildren a presentation on behalf of Civil Air Patrol on Monday afternoon for Red Ribbon Week.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Get fired up

Alex Green gets the elementary kids fired up at the pep rally.

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Parade fun

Lady Savage Heat volleyball and cross country squads ride the fire truck through town.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Ride through town

The Savage Heat makes their way through town

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Watching the parade

Little Savage Heat watch the parade roll by.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Mini cheerleaders

Madison Lakel, Grace Horton, Hallie Corbin, Genivieve Deschamps and Alexis Helterline cheer their routine at halftime.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

King and Queen

Ben Gorham and Corle Morefield celebrate their homecoming coronation.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Queen coronation

Mahala Harris switches the tiaras for Homecoming Queen Corle Morefield.

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Ready to run

Bransen Krebs sophomore WR gets ready to run at the homecoming game.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Looking

Plains QB Dallas Burgess looks to pass during the Plains homecoming game against Troy.

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Trojan Horse burning

The Horsemen and fans watch as the Trojan Horse burns and get fired up for the homecoming game against Troy.

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Parade through town

Plains athletes ride a fire truck through town for the pre-homecoming celebrations.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Making a kill

Rosa Dolson gets air for a kill against Arlee Thursday night.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Lady Savage Heat blaze past Arlee

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Net battle

Trotter Corle Morefield tips the ball at the net as Lady Haek defenders Allison Vaught and Hope Ried go up to block.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

County rivals clash once more

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Shout from the rooftop

Hot Springs VFD Chief Randy Woods shouts instructions to his crew below from what used to be the house rooftop and attic.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

House destroyed by wood stove fire

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Totaled

The Ford F-150 pickup truck carried three passengers as well.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Head-on collision kills one, injures five

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Former county clerk to be in jail during Elections

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Hand off

HAND-OFF: Savage Heat sophomore QB Tanner Hoff keeps his eye out for defenders as he gives the ball to senior RB superstar Mike Gray for a 35 -yard carry to a touchdown.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Victory

The Trotters celebrate their win over the Superior Lady Bobcats.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Trotters beat Lady Bobcats

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

On a mission

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Mission group to journey to South Africa

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Bison rounded up

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Healing up

Horsemen player Andre Levert ices down his shins at Friday practice.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Practice makes...

Nick Barnes will be the new starting quarterback this week in the game against Thompson Falls.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Horsemen to continue season

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Top-ranked Savage Heat get another win

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Killing it

Laurel Schmiedbauer goes up for a kill against Two Eagle River Sept. 21.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Lady Savage Heat keep up power play

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

In his honor

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

House gifted for WSA funds

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Wash out

Workers for the county and Bob Taylor break down and transfer the ruins of the old clinic.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Hot Springs Clinic demolished for reconstruction

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Wood pile inspection

Firefighters go through and soak each piece of wood after putting out the wood heater fire Sept. 14. The fire consumed the whole heater structure, and no one was injured.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Initial attack

A Plains Volunteer Firefighter hauls a hose and starts the attack Sept. 14 at a residence in Plains.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Structure fire claims wood heater

PLAINS - Shortly before 3 a.m. this morning, a fire consumed the wood heater structure belonging to Leon and Dora Lanphear of Plains.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Savage Heat

Dave Cross carries the ball to gain 10 yards Friday, Sept. 7 against St. Regis.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Savage Heat dominate Tigers in first conference game

HOT SPRINGS – In their first conference game of the 2012 season, the Savage Heat football team took on the St. Regis Tigers and were able to muster a clean victory, 65-14.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Rube Wrightsman

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Court Appearance

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Rummel found guilty in trial, sentencing to occur at later date

THOMPSON FALLS - Dianne Rummel was found guilty by a jury of one of the 16 charges filed against her and as a result, must vacate her office as Clerk of District Court.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Lasso Chick

Kathy Miller throws a lasso at the Chicks N Chaps Women's Rodeo Clinic during the Sanders County Fair in Plains.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Chicks 'N' Chaps clinic enjoys success at Fair

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Release of water

A "water scooper" helicopter dumps river water over the Blacktail Ridge Fire Monday afternoon. The crews were working to keep the fire from jumping over Combest Creek.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Smoke clouds

The helicopter flies back towards the river after dumping water on the blaze Sunday afternoon.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Blacktail Ridge Fire burns near Plains

PLAINS - The Department of Natural Resource and Conservation is currently fighting a large forest fire located just outside of Plains near Pat’s Knob.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Doing work at the fairgrounds

Holden Torgerson, 11, of Hot Springs shovels sawdust from a truck bed Saturday morning at Fair Readiness.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Prepare for Fair

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Bareback

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Bath Time Fun

Bath time fun with the pigs will occur more often as the Sweet sisters get ready for the Sanders County Fair next week.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Bath Chute Closure

Valeria and Mahala work to get the bath chute securely closed for bathing pigs.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Pig Bathing Preparation

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Sweet sisters and pigs

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Three Plains sisters prepare for Fair

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Helicopter support

A helicopter carries a load of water across the Perma Bridge Fire Aug. 19.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Patches of Fire

While most of the fire at Perma off Little Money Rd was contained, larger patches still burned as the sun set.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Wildfire at Perma bridge burns into evening

PERMA - A wildfire spanning a reported 160 acres began late afternoon Aug. 19 near what Sanders County locals call the Perma bridge and burned well into the evening.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Blaze on the Ridge

The line of fire on the North ridge in Hot Springs set an orange glow against the night sky Tuesday, Aug. 14.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

West Garceau Fire affects Hot Springs

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

At the Auction

Attendees of the auction watch as items are bid on Saturday afternoon at the Friends of the Library auction at Plains Public Library. They hope to raise funds to purchase a new reader-printer.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Plains Library holds auction

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

At The Edge

Virginia Fortner of Plains holds up a copy of "At The Edge," a novel she wrote 10 years ago centering around a fugitive-preacher who camps out in the Clark Fork Valley.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Local author holds book signing

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Resting in Paradise

Bike & Build cyclists take a break on the steps of United Methodist Church, Paradise, Saturday afternoon after a long day of riding. The church hosted the group of 30 and provided to them food and shelter for the night.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Bi-coastal cyclists make a stop in Paradise

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Campers

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Trotters volleybal host camp, look to Fall season

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

On a run

Horsemen defenders chase down star Savage Heat receiver Nate Gray at one of their preseason touch football games.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Plains and Hot Springs touch on preseason football

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Good Form

Darian Cremer, 8, of Hot Springs takes a breath during her race in the 8 & Under girls 50 meter freestyle. Cremer made the finals in the event.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Piranhas fight hard at Fort Benton

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

A Burnt Path

USFS firefighters Tony Degel, left, and Jeff Davis, right, assess the damage at the scene of the grass fire on Hwy 28 Friday.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Grass fire on hwy 28 put out quick

PLAINS - Less than a quarter-acre of land was burnt up by an afternoon grass fire near mile marker two Friday due to unknown causes.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Fur Trade

Paul Fielder, dressed in 'voyageur' attire, gives a presentation about trapping and fur trade at the PPL Montana Park in Thompson Falls.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Torched

Larry Nielson of Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District assesses the scene Friday as the Jeep Liberty burns.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Vehicle catches fire in Plains

PLAINS - A vehicle randomly caught fire late Friday afternoon off Montana Ave. and River Road East in Plains.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Preparing for extraction

Sanders County Coroner and Sanders County Sheriff Deputy Johnson prepare a sheet for the confirmed fatality Thursday after a single-vehicle rollover in Dixon on Bench Rd.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Rollover in Dixon results in fatality

DIXON - A single-vehicle rollover in a canal resulted in one confirmed fatality early Thursday morning.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Torch Runner

Deputy Dave Hedley holds the torch June 29 in Thompson Falls.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Global relay visits Thompson Falls

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Swim Hard

Chayton Lulack, 13, of Plains swims the 13-14 boys 50 meter freestyle final on Sunday at the Plains Invitational.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Ready to GO!

Genevieve Deschamps, 7, gets ready to take off in the backstroke for the 8 & under girls 100 meter medley relay on Sunday at the Plains Invitational Meet.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Piranhas bite off a third place finish at home meet

PLAINS – Piranhas Swim Team showed other Western Montana Federation swim teams that piranhas are greater in numbers this past weekend at their home swim meet, where they took third overall for the first time in over a decade.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

More details emerge on homeless veteran

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Piranhas Swim Team makes big splash at Bitterroot

Piranhas Swim Team dove into the 2012 season on time and with a bang this past weekend for the Bitterroot Swim Meet in Hamilton.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Project Plan

Linda Haywood gives her presentation for the Road to the Buffalo Project to the County Commissioners on Thursday.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

County Commissioners support historical project

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Assessing the Damage

Pieces of the semi-truck were scattered to the side of the highway Thursday night as well as the contents of the load. Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District was on the scene to investigate and help direct traffic.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Rock-hauling semi rolls over Hwy 200

SANDERS COUNTY - Out of the S-Curves that narrow onto the Clark Fork River on Montana highway 200, a semi-truck and trailer carrying pallets of rock rolled over in the rain at 7 p.m. last night.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Thompson Falls Track

Thompson Falls junior Gabe Flood, racing towards the finish line earlier this season.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Town Hall Meeting

Attendees of the May 10 Town Hall Meeting in Trout Creek listen to biologist Paul Fielder give his presentation about bear habitat acreage.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

SNRC growls over bear plans for forests

TROUT CREEK – Biological concerns for bears roaming in the Kootenai National Forest have given cause for the Forest Service to explore bear management options that could potentially affect Sanders County residents; however, Sanders County Natural Resource Council maintains these effects have not been explained fully to the public and …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Leading the way

Thompson Falls junior Gabe Flood sprints hard in his leg of the boys 4 x 100 meter relay at the All-County meet in Hot Springs.

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

Sanders County Track

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

Getting down to business

Town of Plains Mayor Michael Brinson listens to another council member at the May 1st Town Council Meeting.

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

Plains Town Council hires pool lifeguards, sets opening

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

Porch guest

Debbie Griggs indicates where the ewe bedded down beneath her porch for about a week.

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

Bighorn ewe surprises residents

PLAINS – A wandering mother-to-be- big horn sheep bedded down to prepare for the big day in an ideal spot: quiet, shaded, pine-needles galore, and right at the foot of a mountain. Problem is, her location of choice just happened to be beneath the porch of local residents Rob and …

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

Searching through boots

U.S. Navy veteran Jerry Messing of Thompson Falls examines boots at the Tri-State Veterans Stand Down at the Sanders County Fairgrounds on May 6.

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

Stand Down draws masses

PLAINS – The first-ever Veterans Stand Down in Sanders County was received by veterans near and far in numbers close to 1,000 that marked it a great success for volunteers and organizers looking to honor and aid those who have served.

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

Rounding up future kindergartners

Speech therapist Taylor Salmi of the Sanders County Educational Cooperative goes through speech exercises with pre-kindergartner Landyn Massey Thursday at Hot Springs Elementary Kindergarten Round Up.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 13 YEARS AGO

Hot Springs rounds up kindergartners

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 13 YEARS AGO

A quilt was saved

Ruth Winkler talks about her quilt that she saved from the fire that destroyed her house last week.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Fighting fire

Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District and Plains Volunteer Fire Department work to contain large flames at a house fire Thursday evening. The fire was reportedly caused by a faulty space heater.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Fire blazes residence

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Giving blood

Mark Sheets of Thompson Falls prepares to give blood Thursday in the Thompson Falls High School gym. With his donation, Sheets earned his 5-gallon pin from American Red Cross.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Initial appearance

Dianne Rummel appears before the Sanders County Justice Court for her initial appearance on Tuesday Feb. 28.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Thompson Falls experiences power outage

Shortly after 9 p.m. on Dec. 28th, reports came in regarding power outages in and around the City of Thompson Falls.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

LifeFlight called in for accident near Hot Springs

Scanner traffic indicated a major accident occurred late yesterday evening on Montana highway 28 between Plains and Hot Springs in which two people were transported via helicopter to Clark Fork Valley Hospital.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Fire in Plains put out during snowstorm

Amidst an afternoon snow shower and busy traffic off Montana highway 200, the Plains Volunteer Fire Department and Plains-Paradise Rural Volunteer Fire Department put out a house fire.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Josie

Josie Schuster, owner and operator of Rockstars Salon, poses with a client in her spacious salon on E. Railroad Ave. in Plains.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Her favorite painting

Melinda Via of Thompson Falls holds one of her eight acrylic Americana-style painting prints. Titled, "Christmas on Main Street," this painting is Via's personal favorite and depicts a Christmas-time Thompson Falls in period turn-of-the-20th-century attire.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Semi-truck flips on highway 28

Up the mountain on Montana highway 28, between mile markers 4 and 5 lay a flipped semi-truck and trailer; the contents of its load spilled about the shoulder, late Friday afternoon near Plains.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Precious babies

Baby Cooper Spurr pets two baby piglets at the 4-H sale on Sunday.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Fair 4-H Awards and sale go well for participants

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

New engine and old

The new engine from Pennsylvania (left) and the old Pierce engine (right) at the Plains Volunteer Fire Department engine barn.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Hot dogs and more

Hot dog stand owners and operators John and Phyllis Shear stand by their 10-year-old stand Friday afternoon. The Shears have been selling hot dogs for three years in Plains and prior to that, for seven years in Paradise.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Car in river

At close to 7 a.m. Wednesday morning, a car going down River Road West in Plains flipped over and landed in the Clark Fork river. The driver was unharmed and taken to the hospital.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Car flips into Clark Fork river

PLAINS - The Sanders County Sheriff's Office received an emergency call early today at 7:16 a.m. from a residence on River Road West stating a car had flipped over and was halfway submerged in the Clark Fork river.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO