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CHALLIS, IDAHO – Mining and ranching is the main economy of Challis, Idaho. When the Thompson Creek Mining Company, a molybdenum mine west of Challis, ended their mining operations in 2014 the bust in the economy rattled the community. At its peak, the molybdenum mine employed around 400 people accounting for more than half of Custer County's tax roll. Today, around 50 remain. “They were the largest employer but now they are probably the second largest,” said Greg Webster, owner of The Bent Rod outdoor store and president of Challis’ Chamber of Commerce. “They were like Santa Claus for everything and everyone. When that kind of stuff shuts down it kind of ki...
Like many other young men in 1967, Dale’s draft number came up when he was a senior in high school. Instead of waiting for the notice, and because of his situation at home, he decided to enlist. He left school but promised his mother he would get his diploma. In January 1967, like many others, Dale ...
RONAN – Chris Mutchler recently found himself in an unexpected place, and his first thought was: “Holy cow! Look at that!” During the early morning hours of Sunday, Feb. 11, he ran into Ronan Harvest Foods with his father, Les, and quickly went past the cash registers toward the back of ...
For many, visiting the Holy Land is a dream come true. For one local Pastor it was the fulfillment of a lifelong journey. Pastor Jason Burrough, the Restoring Hope and Student Ministry Pastor at New Life Church in Polson, was able to visit the Holy Land this past January on a pilgrimage with his Lea...
LAKE COUNTY – Three towns in Lake County have been checked off an artist’s list of places to paint in Montana. Laura Blaker is determined to paint scenes from about 200 towns in the state in the next few years. She has finished the scenes for Polson, Ronan, St. Ignatius, and several more. ...
POLSON — Local filmmaker Frank Tyro got emotional while working on “Walking Bear Comes Home.” “There were times I just had to walk away and come back to it,” he said, referring to the 57-minute documentary about the life of his mentor and friend, the late Charles Jonkel, a ...
“The only time you see any sort of gathering of people are school activities and at church,” explained Frenchtown Elementary principal Aaron Griffin. For many in the small rural towns surrounding Missoula, the local schools are truly the emotional center of the community. People rally behind t...
U.S. Navy—Sub Force Pacific, Sub Force Atlantic In 1960, Ron was barely 18 years old, just out of high school in Jordan, Montana. Fortunately… or unfortunately… Ron’s father and the guy he worked for were both WWII Navy veterans. The recruiter kept coming around and fina...
U.S. Navy—Sub Force Pacific, Sub Force Atlantic In 1960, Ron was barely 18 years old, just out of high school in Jordan, Montana. Fortunately… or unfortunately… Ron’s father and the guy he worked for were both WWII Navy veterans. The recruiter kept coming around and fina...
U.S. Navy—Sub Force Pacific, Sub Force Atlantic In 1960, Ron was barely 18 years old, just out of high school in Jordan, Montana. Fortunately… or unfortunately… Ron’s father and the guy he worked for were both WWII Navy veterans. The recruiter kept coming around and fina...
