Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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The suspect from the recent double meth lab bust case appeared in 20th District Judicial Court on Tuesday to plead not guilty. Baily Lake is facing numerous charges, including one charge of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, two counts of criminal production of dangerous drugs, two counts for the operation of an unlawful clandestine laboratory, two counts of criminal possession of precursors to dangerous drugs and one count of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. All of the charges are felonies. Charging documents stated the two...
After a hard-fought victory last Thursday by the Thompson Falls Lady Hawks, the Loyola Sacred Heart Breakers find their own hearts broken. The first set went to the Heart Breakers in a long, close 32-30 battle. The Lady Hawks came back to win three straight though, besting Loyola 25-13, 25-21 and 25-20. The Hawks were coming off a loss in Florence earlier in the week, where the Falcons won the match in three straight, 27-25, 25-19 and 25-21. The Lady Hawks were in high spirits Thursday though. J...
Donna Farrington, Thompson Falls - “I think winter begins on Halloween, because it always snows on Halloween and that’s when hunting season starts. summer starts to end a little bit before that, about the end of September.” Frances Lane, Thompson Falls - “Whenever summer decides to end. It is different every year.” Theo Nygaard, Thompson Falls - “When the snow flies.” Morgan Totzauer, Thompson Falls - “Summer usually ends around November, when it stops getting hot and the fires die.” Steve Totzauer, Thompson Falls - "Summer is over when we p...
1st read: 08262021 Hot Springs Business closing, while another in Thompson is back on its feet A Thompson Falls business is getting back on its feet. The former Genki Asian Cafe on Main Street is literally rising from the ashes, having burnt down last December. Now, under the name Asia Food Express, the restaurant, owned by Jerry Lai, reopened last Thursday in its old location. Lai operates his food service out of a food truck he calls his "food wagon." He had been working out of this truck...
The Thompson Falls Rural Fire Department and the Clark Fork Valley Elks have teamed up to commemorate the tragic events of September 11, 2021 on its 20th anniversary. On Saturday, Sept. 11, the Elks will saddle up into their patriotically decorated side-by-sides and ride the length of Main Street in a procession with fire trucks and any other first responders that wish to participate. They will ride down to the fire hall, just past the post office, and then back to the Elks lodge. They will meet at the Elks lodge at 3:30 p.m. and ride at 4:30...
On August 15, the Thorne Creek fire began to quickly back down into the Thompson River canyon toward numerous homes and structures along the river. Overnight, the fire grew 6,157 acres, with the majority of that growth into the Thompson River drainage. With resources stretched thin across the west, and most of the United States at Fire Preparedness Level 5, the fire teams working structure protection had to work fast in extreme conditions. "The rain has put the brakes on this thing [the fire]...
Karli Thomas, Thompson Falls - “I am most excited to meet my new students and to have an active year in physical education with them.” Morgan Owens, Thompson Falls - “Being back in my home community and teaching. I am also teaching junior high for the first time so that will be an exciting experience. I am excited to create relationships with older students this year.” Kaela Burgess, Heron - “To become part of this community. We just moved our family over here for some great opportunities and we are looking forward to being part of the team....
The man who was cited for publicly threatening firefighters August 6 appeared in Thompson Falls Municipal Court on Monday to plead guilty. Douglas Brester pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, and was fined $185. The Whitepine resident was witnessed by several persons at Town Pump and was seen directly threatening firefighters that were in close proximity. In a press release, Thompson Falls Police Chief Chris Nichols said, “Any threats of bodily injury are taken seriously and dealt with accordingly....
There is a great exodus in the world today. After COVID-19 struck so many people in so many ways, a great number of Americans have begun to re-evaluate the way they live their lives. The people are coming out to the country and moving away from big cities. As they do, they are beginning to realize the way of life lived for many years by those who call Montana home. However, there are many Montana youths who have not had the opportunity to experience the outdoors in the same way many outsiders wi...
Thompson Falls Police Department (TFPD) officers are investigating a fire last week that destroyed the pavilion at NorthWestern Energy's Power Park in Thompson Falls. The pavilion burned early in the morning of August 20. The pavilion was a popular event location for gatherings like the Chicken Jamboree, the American Radio Relay League Field Day and many more. According to Thompson Falls Police Chief Chris Nichols, the fire resulted in the destruction of the pavilion and restrooms. TFPD is...
Thompson Falls Police Chief Chris Nichols recently recognized some members of the National Guard who are helping on the Thorne Creek fire, including a Thompson Falls alum. Detachments from the Army National Guard and the Air Force National Guard are relieving both fire crews and local police officers. Knowing this, Nichols decided to recognize some of them. As the Thorne Creek fire moves along the ridge behind Thompson Falls and up Thompson River, the fire crews have had their hands full....
The 2021 Huckleberry Festival in Trout Creek was a huge success, according to organizers. Elizabeth Haagenson, chairperson of the festival, said, "I think it went great with everything we were up against." She referenced the smoke and coming back after a year of pandemic, among other things. "It was all a lot of fun," Haagenson added. The event saw several new performances, including one by a belly dancing group out of Sandpoint, Idaho. The dance, performed by Roxy "Sapphire" Harper, was a...
KATHY DUNN, Hamilton, Montana - “Everybody can come out, the whole family, and have a great time! There’s a variety of things to look at and see. Its just a fun time!” SUE SHAMBAUGH, Grantsdale, Montana - “Not only just the huckleberries themselves and the ice cream, but it is nice seeing everybody out again, with no masks and happiness and unity.” JASON HUNTER, Weippe, Idaho - “I’m impressed with the Huckleberry Festival, in just the number of vendors that come to a small community. It’s a pretty large event.” STEPHANEY IRVINE, Thompson...
A Whitepine resident was charged with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, by the Thompson Falls Police Department (TFPD) August 11. Several days prior, the individual publicly threatened bodily harm toward U.S. Forest Service firefighters at the Town Pump in Thompson Falls. In a TFPD press release, Police Chief Chris Nichols said the man then made taunting remarks at several nearby firefighters. “Any threats of bodily injury are taken seriously and dealt with accordingly,” Nichols said. He reinforced that the TFPD has been regularly rea...
A Thompson Falls book club recently honored its founding member. The club was started and organized by Mary Netz in 2001, after she moved to Thompson Falls from New Mexico. According to Netz, she was part of a book club in New Mexico and found that she missed it, so she started her own in Thompson Falls. However, at 87 years old and with worsening Parkinson's disease, Netz has decided to move back closer to family in Albuquerque, New Mexico. "It's so beautiful here, it reminds me of northern...
The Trout Creek Huckleberry Festival is returning this year and festival planners said they are excited to be back. Elizabeth Haagenson, Huckleberry Festival chairperson, explained that they are excited to be hosting the festival again, especially after a year without. The festival theme this year is "Together Again," and volunteers say it may be one of the biggest years yet. According to Haagenson, there will be a few changes and additions this year. One such change will involve the pancake...
The American Red Cross conducted a three-day blood drive in Sanders County last week. The drive consisted of three locations on three separate days, two in Thompson Falls and one in Plains. The first of the three was held at St. William's Catholic Church in Thompson Falls on Tuesday afternoon. The drive at the Catholic church got help from a couple church volunteers, including Alice Wozniak and Jim Krogman, head of the Knights of Columbus. They saw about 20 people donate blood. "We just help...
Thompson Falls Police Department (TFPD) discovered and dismantled two meth labs in the city late last month. Police officers, including lead officer Roy Scott, spent numerous hours building the case, investigating leads and filing paperwork needed to apprehend those involved. "They get into a lot of overtime, long weeks and a lot of paperwork, especially the lead officer on the case," according to TFPD Chief Chris Nichols. He explained that in a case like this, the lead officer can put in well...
Michael Hicks of Kalispell appeared before the 20th District Judicial Court on Tuesday to argue for a bail reduction and his release. Hicks is facing the felony charge of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs after a witness placed him in a bar in Hot Springs May 15. Charging documents explain that Hicks has been implicated in a drug deal that resulted in the death of a Hot Springs man. His attorney, Kirk Krutilla, explained that Hicks has a wife and kids in Kalispell who rely on his income in construction. County attorney Naomi Leisz was...
AUDRE SUZANNE, Thompson Falls - “My very favorite sport has always been gymnastics because they fly through the air! They do unbelievable stunts!” JAKE RYAN, Plains - “I would have to say couple’s ice skating. I kind of grew up with it because my dad was an amazing ice skater. He was actually asked to be on one of the pro teams in Canada, so I got to learn ice skating when I was very young.” MARLENE CRAIG, Thompson Falls - “I like the gymnastics and the equestrians. The horses because I was raised on a ranch, and the other one I just enjoy watc...
The Thompson Falls School Board met last week to discuss the end of summer and upcoming school year. The principals mentioned enrollment being up. Though the number may be only up by 10, according to superintendent Bud Scully, the school is feeling positive. “We won’t know the final numbers until they actually show up,” said Scully, “but we like to emphasize the positive.” Scully explained that right now enrollment is sitting somewhere around 450 students for the district. Another discussion was the 2021 salary schedule of elementary school pr...
Mayor Mark Sheets delivered an update on the Thorne Creek fire to the Thompson Falls City Council at their Monday meeting this week. According to Sheets everything has gone well so far, with firefighters having basically contained the fire from Graves Creek to Weber Gulch. They are currently setting up holding operations up Ashley Creek around the city’s water line. Currently, helicopters are dumping water constantly to hold the fire on the west side to avoid what the mayor referred to as a fuel change were it to reach Goat Creek on the east si...
The City of Thompson Falls has imposed more stringent water use restrictions. These efforts, according to Mayor Mark Sheets, are to ensure there is enough water stored and available to fight any fires that may reach town. Thursday and Friday, ash from the Thorne Creek fire burning north of town rained on to properties throughout the city. That prompted residents to water even more, and the city had to send out an alert on Saturday reminding residents of the water restrictions. According to the mayor, residents turned on their sprinklers and...
The serial number on a firearm found Sunday afternoon at the Flat Iron Fishing access site west of Thompson Falls matches that of a firearm purchased by former Thompson Falls Danielle Wood in 2018, according to court documents filed this week state. Wood is currently serving a 100-year sentence at the Montana State Women's Prison. According to a motion filed Tuesday in 20th Judicial District Court, the Sanders County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) was notified that a male had found a pistol in the...
For the first time in over 20 years, a grange meeting was held this month at the Whitepine Grange. This gathering was to initiate new members and to hold elections to establish officers for the Grange Post #102. The group asked Don Burrell to attend and to initiate the new members. Burrell is a long-time member of the Thompson Falls Grange. He started with the Grange in 1966 and has held most positions that one can have in the Grange. He has participated in the National Grange and even had the...
