Volunteers learn defensive driving

Emergency vehicles from Plains and other communities converged at the old airport in Plains Saturday afternoon, Jan. 29, for defensive driving exercises. Ambulances, search and rescue trucks, brush trucks and one old yellow fire engine tore up and down the cracked and weathered tarmac, negotiating their way through bright orange …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

End of an ordeal

Volunteers brought a 42-day ordeal to a close last Monday at the now-defunct Montana Large Animal Sanctuary and Rescue in Niarada after moving the last 150 animals from the property. The effort, lead by AniMeals of Missoula, has been called one of the largest animal rescue operations ever carried out …

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Train cars derail in Plains

Two railroad cars came off the tracks last Saturday evening at 10:15 near the Willis Street railroad crossing in Plains.

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Committee kicks off fundraising

Music lovers filled the Elks Lodge in Thompson Falls for a fundraiser kickoff held by the Thompson Falls Beautification Committee. Attendees got the chance to enjoy chili and all the fixings, as well as live music by local musicians High Strung with guitarist Nat Burgess. After everyone finished eating, dessert …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Kids learn to stay healthy at college

Kids were at the Plains High School bright and early on Saturday morning, but a different kind of learning awaited their arrival than what usually occurs during the week. Members of the Upward Bound program showed up that morning on Jan 15 to learn healthy habits as they make the …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Chamber changes date of Plains Day

The Plains Chamber of Commerce met last Wednesday, Jan. 12, and the main topic on the agenda was the date of Plains Day this year.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Plans underway for TFalls park

The Thompson Falls Beautification Committee held an open house at the Library Annex in Thompson Falls on Tuesday, Jan. 4 as a way to obtain community feedback for their plans for improving the Rose Garden Park. The committee has been looking at ways to make the Rose Garden Park more …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Committee plans to save pool again

Members of city council and community business owners met with the Committee for Safe Swimming on Friday, Jan. 7 to discuss plans for saving the Plains swimming pool from being closed this summer. The pool is facing problems as its filtration system is in need of replacement and could potentially …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Family compiles cookbook to raise funds

When an area man developed a rare form of cancer, his friends and family decided not to sit idly by. Rather, loved ones of Chad “Butch” Schwank decided to pool their creative resources and compile a cookbook, which they would then sell, raising money to support Schwank’s treatment.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Thompson Falls woman releases novel

Thompson Falls resident Terri Drake Stoltz takes readers to a simpler time with her newly-released book, “Remember When: Recollection from a Montana Generation X-er.”

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A great day for a dip

With the sun shining and temperatures hovering around 15 degrees, people from all over the area convened in Thompson Falls to bring in the New Year with a dip in the Clark Fork River. Over 40 people made the plunge, and several more congregated on the snowy banks at Goose …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Performing sensation remembers roots

When MacKayla Hunter was growing up, she would spend her summers with her grandparents at either end of Sanders County, soaking up warm days in the Clark Fork River Valley.

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Neighbors share their Christmas spirit during the Tour of Homes

The Plains Woman’s Club held their annual Christmas Tour of Homes event last Saturday, Dec. 11. The event was planned as a way for members of the community to get in the Christmas spirit and enjoy the decorations of other homes.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Plains school filled with the sounds of Christmas

The sounds of Christmas filled the Plains School on two occasions last week, the first time on Tuesday, Dec. 14 with the High School Christmas Concert, and for a second time on Thursday, Dec. 16 with the Elementary Christmas Concert.

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Hot Springs teacher recognized

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Dinner theater a hit

Audiences got the chance to take a trip back to Bethlehem during the Christmas dinner theater performance of “In Bethlehem Inn,” which was organized by the Plains United Methodist and ELCA Lutheran churches.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Local crafts on display at bazaar

Vendors and holiday shoppers from all over the county made their way to the Thompson Falls High School gym last Saturday, Dec. 4 for the annual Christmas Bazaar. The gym was packed as shoppers perused the locally made crafts and gifts on display at the event.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Boy Scouts hold flag ceremony

The Plains Boy Scout Troop held a flag retiring ceremony with members of VFW Post 3596 on Pearl Harbor Day, last Dec. 7. The ceremony was held behind the Plains VFW Post, as was attended by members of the community, as well as area veterans.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Man robs Town Pump

A Hot Springs man has been arrested after committing an armed robbery at the Town Pump in Plains, which occurred at 2:10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9. This incident comes just three days after the same man committed a robbery in Missoula.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Silent auction ends well

The Thompson Falls Library Silent Auction came to a close on last Saturday, Dec. 4, after a very successful run, according to event organizer Karen Harlan.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Plains teacher receives grant

Kids in Kathee Hojem’s fourth grade class were surprised by a news camera in their room on Friday, Dec. 3. That afternoon, the Missoula TV news station KPAX, in collaboration with Allegiance Benefit Plan Management, presented Hojem with a classroom grant as part of their “One Classroom at a Time” …

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Art students spread Christmas cheer

Any other time of the year, it would have been graffiti, but when kids from Plains High School traipsed around town, painting the windows of many local businesses last Friday, Dec. 3, it was just part of spreading Christmas cheer.

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Students explore their future

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Great turnout at Hot Springs Art Gala

HOT SPRINGS — Art aficionados and interested community members from all parts of the area crammed into a meeting room at the Symes Hot Springs Hotel in Hot Springs for the Hot Springs Art Society’s Art Gala, which was held on Saturday, Nov. 13.

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Winterfest kicks off holidays

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'Unstung Heroes' cash in

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Great turnout at Hot Springs Art Gala

Art aficionados and interested community members from all parts of the area crammed into a meeting room at the Symes Hot Springs Hotel in Hot Springs for the Hot Springs Arts Society’s Art Gala, which was held on Saturday, Nov. 13. The event is the organization’s main fundraiser for the …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Silent auction raises funds for library

The Friends of the Thompson Falls Library will be holding their 10th Annual Silent Auction in the Library Annex until Saturday, Dec. 4. The auction opened last Tuesday, Nov. 23.

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Christmas starts with a bang at fairgrounds

Christmas season started with a bang at the Sanders County Fairgrounds, where the Annual Fairgrounds Lighting, and its accompanying fireworks display, was held last Sunday, Nov. 21.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Plains pool in trouble

The Plains Parks and Recreation Board met last Friday, Nov. 19 to discuss the fate of the Plains community pool. The pool, which is in need of several repairs after years of service, could potentially be closed if funds do not come through for repairs.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Superior students celebrate Veterans Day

American flags hung from businesses and the expanse of the memorial bridge in Superior was lined with red, white and blue ribbons. A sign placed by Wells Fargo read, “We honor and thank our veterans.”

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Ensembles perform at high school

The Plains High School Gym was filled with sound as the school’s music ensembles performed during their Fall Concert last Tuesday evening. The concert featured performances by the High School Band, the Middle School Band, the Percussion Ensemble and the High School Choir. The ensembles are directed by music director …

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Ceremony honors flag, veterans

The Plains High School honored Veterans Day last Thursday by holding a ceremony in front of the school by the flagpole. The ceremony, which involved veterans from the Plains VFW Post 3596 and was attended by all of Plains’ student body, was intended as a way for the school to …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Humor for all ages in "The Real Legend"

Many of us know the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the tale of Ichabod Crane, a Connecticut schoolmaster, who competes for the love of a young woman named Katrina Van Tassel against one Brom Bones, the town tough guy. When Bones learns of Crane’s superstitious nature, he regales Crane with the …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Plains Ambulance connects with community

Preparations are underway at the Plains Ambulance as volunteers prepare for an open house, which will be held on Thursday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. The open house was planned as a way for Plains Emergency Medical Services volunteers to meet and greet members of the community.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Rummel tentative winner for sheriff

It has been over a week since Election Day, and one part of the ballot still remains undecided. Voting for the role of Sanders County sheriff ended last week with Republican Tom Rummel leading Independent Doug Dryden by a mere six votes. The closeness of this race has meant that …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Elroy the Elk visits

Elroy the Elk visited the Paradise School for a rally last Friday afternoon, Oct. 29 as part of the Clark Fork Valley Elks’ initiative to increase drug awareness in the community.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Group works toward sustainable future

A new project is growing in Hot Springs, and it promises to bring about positive change for the community. The Hot Springs Sustainability Project was started by Hot Springs resident Shaun Martinz, and is intended to support environmentally-conscious problem solving in the area.

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Sarah's Place, a place to heal

Members of the law enforcement, medical, legal and child advocacy communities came together last Wednesday, Oct. 27 to commemorate the foundation of Sarah’s Place, a child advocacy center intended to give victims of abuse the tools they need to stop abusive relationships and begin the process of healing.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

TFalls hold City Countil meeting

The Thompson Falls City Council met at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 25 at City Hall. Council members James Robinson, Tom Eggensperger, Mark Sheets, Linda McKahn, and Raoul Ribero were in attendance at the meeting, which was lead by mayor Carla Parks. Council member Randy Roberts was not present at …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Candidates meet at forum

Candidates for the post of Sanders County Commissioner met Thursday evening on Oct. 14. Democratic candidate Nancy Beech and write-in candidate Ron Olfert fielded questions on various issues. Republican candidate Glen Magera was not present at the event.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Plains youth receives DUI

A trial was held on Thursday, Oct. 14 in a DUI case stemming from an incident on May 30.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Alberton shuts out Heart Butte

The Alberton Panthers (2-4 conf., 3-4 ovr.) put the hurt on Heart Butte Warriors (0-4, 0-6) in a 61-0 six-man North victory on Friday.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Tigers comeback falls short

St. Regis fell to Valier 76-42 on Saturday, but one bounce might have changed the outcome of the Six-man North game.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

We Care event a success

Folks from all over Mineral County came together to take part in the We Care Festival in Superior, which was held on Saturday, Oct. 16. The gathering took place in front of the historic school building in the heart of Superior, and featured several different exhibits, activities for kids and …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Hobbit House pops up in Trout Creek

Fog rolled into the Whitepine Valley on Thursday, Oct. 7, shrouding the hills with a feeling of mystery and fantasy, perfect for the unveiling of the Hobbit House of Montana, a brand new lodging facility built by Steve Michaels of Trout Creek. People from all over gathered to see the …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Art show held in Plains, Hot Springs

Artists and art lovers from all over Sanders County made their way to the Clark Fork Valley Hospital for the Art on the Walls Exhibit, which was installed Friday, Oct. 1. The reception held there honored the work of the 10 local artists who were featured in the show, and …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Fish ladder dedication ceremony held in Thompson Falls

A dedication ceremony for the newly constructed fish ladder on the Thompson Falls Dam was held Sept. 8 in Thompson Falls, Mont. The dedication marks the completion of the multi-million dollar project, which was funded by the energy company PPL Montana.

COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Fairgrounds prepped for fall

Workers cleared several cottonwood trees from the Sanders County Fairgrounds in an effort to maintain the grounds last Wednesday, Sept. 29. Five large trees, which stood on the west side of the fairgrounds, were felled due to rotting in the limbs. Sanders County Fair Manager Mike Hashisaki decided shortly after …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Art show to feature local artist

Local artists from across the region will assemble at two collaborating art events in Plains and Hot Springs, both of which will be held on Oct. 6.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Project concerns neighbors

Plans for construction on a plot of land off of River Road West in Plains have area residents concerned about potential repercussions. While several residents of the neighborhood above River Road West have voiced apprehensions about the proposed construction due largely to environmental concerns, officials from Sanders County have asserted …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

ESGR plans event

Employers from across Montana will be invited to participate in an event in Kalispell on Sept. 25, which will be put on by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The event is intended to recognize employers who have been especially supportive of their National Guard and Reservist employees, and …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Class of 1960 reunited

Alumni from as far away as Texas will be making their way back to Plains as the Plains High School class of 1960 reconvenes for its 50-year reunion. Festivities will begin on Sept. 18, and will continue through the 19th.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Art council holds concert

Music reverberated the rafters at the United Methodist Church in Plains as two talented classical musicians performed works from the Baroque and romantic periods of music. The concert comes as a part of work done by members of the Sanders County Arts Council, as a way to bring artistic events …

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Classics convene in Trout Creek

Hillborn fuel injector stacks, triple-deuce carburetors set atop cast aluminum Edelbrock intake manifolds, drop-top goats and flawless barn finds—just a sampling of what could be found at the Cool Summer Nights Car Show in Trout Creek on Sept. 11. Cars from all over, accompanied by their proud owners, gathered in …

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Plains high school graduates celebrate 50th anniversary

Alumni from as far away as Texas will be making their way back to Plains as the Plains High School class of 1960 reconvenes for its 50-year reunion. Festivities will begin on Sept. 18, and will continue through the 19th.

VALLEY PRESS-MINERAL INDEPENDENT | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO