MONTE TURNER
Mineral Independent
Recent Stories
American Legion post in St. Regis begins refurbishing highway fatality markers
Ray Welch American Legion Post 13 in St. Regis is responsible for maintaining fatality markers along Interstate 90 from Lookout Pass to mile marker 77, just east of Alberton, as well as along Montana 135 from St. Regis to the Sanders County line.
St. Regis mill expanding operations, adding employees
Driving along Montana 135 just outside St. Regis, it’s hard to miss the towering stacks of bundled posts and poles, and the large building at Big Sky Forest Products.
Community rallies to find, rehabilitate missing dog near Cyr
In early November, a single photo of an emaciated and scared dog along the railroad tracks near Alberton blew up on social media between Frenchtown and Superior.
Mineral County search and rescue team marks one year
Mineral County has observed firsthand in recent years that there is a significant need for search and rescue, as these teams save lives by finding people during the “golden hours.” The faster a distressed person is found, the greater their chance of survival.
River Edge Pavilion earns top architecture award
The Montana chapter of the American Institute of Architects is involved in numerous community outreach programs and initiatives that allow architects to give back while promoting the value of architecture to the public.
Mineral County's new transit hub ready to roll
The Mineral County Pioneer Council celebrated the grand opening of its new transit building at 110 Moats Lane in Superior on Thursday, Oct. 23, drawing residents, business owners, nonprofit representatives and mental health professionals eager to tour the unique looking new facility.
That's a wrap: Filming concludes for independent thriller shot in Superior
Under the shadow of the Bitterroot Mountains and along the quiet backroads of Diamond Match Road on private property, the cast and crew of "They Prey in the Night" are close to calling it a wrap.
Author and filmmaker Ron Ford comes to Superior
Just in time for Halloween, the Mineral County Library will host a special guest who knows a thing or two about giving audiences goosebumps.
Filmmaker uses western Montana as backdrop for new movie
Filming has taken place in Western Montana for a new short film backed by the prestigious Montana Big Sky Film Grant, bringing a 20-person crew primarily based in Missoula to shoot a heartfelt road trip drama from Sept. 23–26.
Resolution in the works for Lookout Pass boundary dispute
A century-old boundary confusion on the Montana-Idaho state line is finally being addressed after simmering for decades thanks to the persistence of a local lawmaker.
Superior High School seniors mark their spot
For the Class of 2026 at Superior High School, the year begins with a new and colorful tradition: custom painted parking spots.
St. Regis Travel Center under new ownership
One of Western Montana’s most iconic roadside destinations is entering a new era.
Dog rescue shelter marks a year in Mineral County
When Robert Harris moved from Southern California to Superior last year, he brought some pups that were already in the care of the dog rescue group Rescuing Cujo and were in need of forever-homes.
Alberton Panthers robotics team brings home silver medals
Rising ninth-grader Mahlon Manson and seventh-grader Varuna Peeblson of the Alberton Panthers robotics team brought home silver medals from the 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference held in Atlanta.
Mineral County food bank moves to temporary distribution site
When the Community Food Bank of Mineral County moved to its 45 Mullan Road W. location in Superior a few years ago, organization leadership understood that the building needed repairs.
Stretch of I-90 in Mineral County flagged as wildlife collision hotspot
Between 2008 and 2020, nearly 30,000 reported collisions involving large animals occurred in Montana, resulting in 54 human fatalities.
Cowboy action shooting comes loaded with fun
Cowboy action shooting -- also known as Western action shooting, single-action shooting, cowboy 3-gun, and Western 3-gun -- is a competitive shooting sport that originated in 1981.
Blood pressure kits available for checkout at Mineral County Public Library
The Montana State Library has distributed blood pressure kits to libraries across Montana, and the Mineral County Public Library is now offering these kits for checkout.
New game warden excited to explore Mineral County
Growing up in Helena, Cody Stipcich thoroughly enjoyed hunting and fishing with his dad, but becoming a game warden was not a childhood dream.
St. Regis family loses home in structure fire
The St. Regis and West End volunteer fire departments teamed up on the second structural fire within a week on Feb. 9, this time at 1130 Montana 135.
Nightriders Snowmobile Club adds to annual event
The Montana Nightriders Snowmobile Club is well known for the $1,000 Super Poker Ride the last weekend in January. Up to 400 sledders have partaken in this signature event held in Haugan for the last 36 years.
Smalley sworn in as Mineral County commissioner
Fresh off a 20-year career with the Montana Highway Patrol, Shawn Smalley was sworn in as a Mineral County commissioner on Dec. 27.
Authorities rescue stranded driver near Verde Creek
Fire and law enforcement crews rescued a stranded delivery truck driver suffering from exposure and exhaustion near Superior on Friday.
State Rep. Denley Loge of St. Regis nets a few seconds on hit show 'Yellowstone'
Being an extra on the production set of hit television series can be both interesting and exciting, but one thing the extras agree on is that it also can be really boring.
Mineral Community Hospital acquires St. Regis clinic
The Jack Lincoln Memorial Clinic in St. Regis is now operated by Mineral Community Hospital after its medical director, Dr. Randy Lovell, opted to focus on his practice in Thompson Falls.
Teen harvests bull and cow elk in same day
Nicholas Cooper started hunting through the FWP Apprentice Hunter Program at 10 years old. He’s taken a turkey, a doe and a couple of young bucks, but he’s never fired a shot at an elk, until a few weeks ago.
West End Volunteer Fire Department builds custom truck to fight wildfires
Members of the West End Volunteer Fire Department don't just volunteer to fight fires, they're also willing to build their own apparatus.
Gianforte honors Vietnam vet in Alberton
Gov. Greg Gianforte last week presented the 2023 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation to Army veteran Mahlon ‘Paul’ Manson at the Military Veterans Memorial on Railroad Avenue in Alberton.
Superior business offers unique precision cutting
Since opening in June, Twin Creek Creations has made a big splash from Superior going west, but now they are going to be moving in all directions after testing the water.
Study looks at elk population in Lower Clark Fork
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has its Region 1 headquarters in Kalispell.
Superior trails manager gives district update
Rachel Ryan, trails manager for the Superior District of the Lolo National Forest, shared that the hiking trials in her district are open.
Hunters help clear abandoned wire in Montana elk country
Plastics are destroying aquatic life in the oceans. Wind turbines are killing bats and birds that fly into them. And vacated wire is causing slow, painful deaths for elk on the Idaho-Montana state line.
Ozzy's truck: Restoration project raises suicide prevention awareness
Jeffrey “Ozzy” Otzwirk was raised in Haugan and graduated from St. Regis High School in 1995.
Old Glory: Moiese family claims Montana's tallest flagpole
Across from the entrance to the Bison Range on Highway 212 is the south entrance to the Moiese Valley known for cattle and dairy operations, wheat, alfalfa and corn fields — and now the tallest flagpole in Montana.
Bonner knife makers stand test of time
Bonner knife company stand the test of time.
Veteran receives warm Montana welcome on cross-country ride
When John 'Jay' Waters from Alexandria, Virginia, rode his bike into Superior recently, he didn't anticipate the hospitality he was about to receive.
Thorne Creek Fire officer lost home in Colorado blaze
When she isn't working as the public information officer for the Thorne Creek Fire near Thompson Falls, Schelly Olson works as a firefighter in her home state of Colorado.