Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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PATRICK ANDERSON, Thompson Falls - “Yes, it does because you can’t see the beautiful mountains and stuff.” JOHN KAUFMANN, Thompson Falls - “It’s not having a whole lot of effect on the people coming into the area. In the past I have seen fire danger run people off, but now they are trying to get away from the insanity in the cities.” CALEB BERD, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - “I think it absolutely affects tourism because it is a quality of life kind of thing.” CHRIS HAYNES, Thompson Falls - “Yes, I hope so. It will show people coming in what ca...
The annual Trout Creek Huckleberry Festival is getting ready for a full weekend of fun Friday and Saturday, August 14 and 15. More than 90 vendors have signed up to be at the festival, according to Carrie Greene. who is in charge of vendors this year. “We are almost full. I have a feeling I am going to need a waiting list,” said Greene. She explained they usually have a few spots open a day before the event, but this year three weeks prior, she already has only a couple slots left. Of those vendors, Greene said that 25 are brand new. “I think...
The windstorm in January left many homes and businesses in need of repair, including the high school in Thompson Falls. The gymnasium roof saw some damage, and the school contracted Buckingham Roofing to do some temporary repairs. These repairs were meant to prevent any water damage until Buckingham Roofing could return and take the time to do the whole roof. Finally, after several months, John Buckingham, owner of Buckingham Roofing, was able to come out to install the new roof. Assisted by...
Montana is well known for its vast flat prairies, great towering mountains and gurgling creeks and rivers. As beautiful as these are, part of experiencing nature is experiencing the seclusion from technology, the rush of life and other persons. These places people go to get away are often places others have told them about. Most of the time, however, the best places are the ones found alone. The experience of discovery, especially of a place unseen before, is for many, several times the experience that visiting a place recommended can be....
by John Dowd 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 was notified that a male had found a pistol in...
The Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA) opened the new playground they have been working on for the last couple months. The Bob Green Memorial Playground unveiling brought more than 50 visitors to the park. According to TCCIA Board Chair Liz Stender, there was a lot of work and love put into it. "It looked like a shipwreck, leaning to its side, when we first got it," said Stender. The new pirate ship-themed playground was revitalized from Noxon and donated to the Trout Creek...
Bernice Meredith, Quartzsite, Arizona - “I think more people in the community brings more people in who are more apt to do more for the community.” Kaitlyn Manning, Thompson Falls - “I think it is good for the economy, but I think it puts pressure on the locals.” Chuck Owens, Thompson Falls - “I guess there is good and bad. Myself, I don’t like a lot of people, but I think it will help more than it will hurt.” Paula Nelson, Thompson Falls - “I think population growth could be really good for this community if the people moving in contribute t...
Thompson Falls City Council met last week to discuss raising the sewer and water hookup rates. It was then sent to the Sewer and Water Committee for discussion. These fees would apply only to new connections to the system, according to Thompson Falls Mayor Mark Sheets. Currently, hooking up costs $350. The council was concerned about this because there are several lots where one house traditionally stood that may now have numerous “tiny homes.” Each of these small residences alone would place the same use and stress onto the system that the...
For over 12 years Darla and Alan Reisinger have owned and operated Al's Sports Bar, Creekside Inn and Grill in Hot Springs. After the pandemic they found themselves needing some help to stay afloat. At several thousand dollars in the hole, the couple is, as Alan put it, "on our last leg." Alan and Darla bought the business in 2008 and have since provided a location, not only for sports fans, but the local community to use. The Hot Springs Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lone Prairie Springs Post...
Job Service Thompson Falls says they are seeing more job listings than they ever have, according to a Facebook post on their page, Job Service Thompson Falls. Currently they have over 100 job listings throughout the county. The listings include a variety of employment opportunities from full to part-time. An array of fields is represented in those listings, from hospitality to food service and construction to schools. According to Erin Schock, manager for the services in both Sanders and Lake counties, this is “the most I have ever seen.” Sch...
For 30 years the Men's Prayer Group has been putting on the Chicken Jamboree, drawing in community members for a day of music, prayer and delicious chicken. "It's a lot of work, but it's worth it; I really enjoy doing this event," said Don Burrell, the man in charge of the Men's Prayer Group and who himself has been organizing the event for over 20 years. The food and music were free to all visitors, though donations were appreciated. The event got help from several other groups, including Reflections Academy and Wood Creek Academy (WCA),...
Donna Vild, Seattle, Washington - “I would be taking my family, my pets, water, firearms, tent, food, and my Bible.” Ellyonna Vild, Seattle, Washington - “I would bring my pets. And a Bible and a gun.” Allyeska Vild, Seattle, Washington - “I would bring my pets, a few general necessities and a tent. And my Bible and a gun.” Melissa Totzauer, Trout Creek - “I would bring water, clean underwear, my dog and my family.” Breyton Luckow, Pocatello, Idaho - “I would grab my suitcase and my phone.” Peter Rhoades, Trout Creek- “I would bring my Bible,...
The Sanders County commissioners met last week with both Sanders County district rangers to discuss the 2021 fire season. According to the Plains/ Thompson Falls District Ranger, Dave Wrobleski, “We are about to head into what could be a potentially significant fire season. Where we are, this early in the year, could play into that.” With over 11 fires already, both rangers spoke to the commissioners about the upcoming threats of such a fire season. Mike Feiger compared it to the one in 2015. Feiger, of the Cabinet Ranger District, said tha...
Mitchell Raymond pleaded guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs in 20th District Judicial Court on Tuesday.Raymond was a passenger in a vehicle pulled over in July 2020. He admitted to having knowledge of methamphetamines that were found in the vehicle, which he attempted to hide from the police. His sentencing has been set for August 10. Antonio White Quills was sentenced to 13 months in the Department of Corrections alcohol treatment program on Tuesday, with five years after that suspended. White Quills faced a sixth driving under...
Sanders County Commissioners met with the Sanders County Community Housing Organization, Inc. (SCCHO) to discuss the possibility of using American Relief Protection Act (ARPA) funds to help put in affordable housing. These funds are part of a nationwide effort to limit the economic effects of COVID-19. Numerous states, counties and cities are eligible to apply for these ARPA funds. Sanders County is currently slated to receive several million dollars through ARPA. With that kind of money coming into the county, the commissioners are looking...
“It takes a village to get all this done,” said Liz Stender, chair of the Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA), when asked about their soon to be installed pickleball court. Stender and the TCCIA are just hot off the heels from putting in a new Trout Creek playground just feet from where the proposed court site will be. A few months ago, Stender received a call from Judy Erwin, a Trout Creek resident, who plays pickleball with a group in Thompson Falls. Stender started doing some research on the sport to see what putting in...
The city council met with Danielle Price Monday night to speak about the use of the Community Center for a private preschool. Price used to work at Facture Academy, which closed its doors this year. Price was employed there since January, and believes the area still needs such a school. “I really enjoyed working there and my school is going to be a similar model,” said Price. She spoke about the teaching style, which she referred to as Montessori. “I’ve been teaching for a long time and this style is the one I have seen proven time and time ag...
Mary Frasier, Tucson, Arizona - “It is best for the family and parents if it is a longer break in the summer because arranging childcare for two weeks three of four times a year is very difficult.” Eva Burch, Severance, Colorado - “I am for year-round school because it gives the teachers and the kids a break from their routine, and they seem to learn better and retain more with a nine week on, three week off, schedule.” Nancy Haynes, Thompson Falls - “I would say ask the school board or survey the county to find out what families want.” An...
Jeffrey Ball of Thompson Falls appeared in 20th District Judicial Court on Tuesday to argue against a petition to revoke his suspended sentence due to several violations. His attorney, Kirk Krutilla, mentioned to Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher that their intention was not so much to fight against the violations as to ask for a chance to improve. They asked for a release prior to sentencing for two months to give Ball a chance to prove improvement. Ball was sentenced for this case in March 2016 for driving under the influence. After asking for...
Local youth outdoor camp organization Project ASCENT held its annual Cornhole Festival fundraiser over the weekend. The nonprofit's event included food, drinks, merchandise, live music and a cornhole tournament that brought in people from all over the area. Participants from Spokane to Kalispell, and all over Sanders County partook. The round robin tournament on Saturday included 20 teams with 40 players, and each participant was guaranteed six games. At the end of the day there was an...
After almost five years, the long awaited Limberlost Brewing Company has opened its doors. Self-proclaimed as brewing the first commercial batch of beer in Thompson Falls since prohibition, the brewery officially opened on Saturday. Limberlost has three beers on tap, with many more on the way, according to owner Zach Whipple-Kilmer. They have a hazy IPA, a light tasting stout, and a golden ale. One of the many plans they have for the establishment is to provide customers with markers to record t...
Last week Clark Fork Valley Elks Lodge 2757 donated a wheelchair to local legend Ernest "Krazy Ernie" Franke. Since 1940, Franke has been an active member of the Thompson Falls community and is well known for his interesting exploits. Having had many jobs, from radio-show host to superintendent of numerous sawmills in the area, Franke has made a name for himself. "I've done some stupid things," said Franke, recounting stories of crackpot investments and job snafus that earned him his name. "It...
Thompson Falls has a new barber. The Barber Pole has re-opened after being closed for several months. Gussie O'Connor, a long-time men's barber from Coeur d'Alene, moved to the area recently and took over the Thompson Falls business. "I didn't pick it, Thompson Falls picked me," O'Connor said. She added that she knows western Montana well, having traveled through most of the area. One day, she said, the opportunity opened up and she was looking to move somewhere more affordable. "I needed a plac...
The Sanders County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) met with Sanders County Commissioners last month to discuss the prospect of expanding the dispatch center and the Sheriff’s Office. Lieutenant Shawna Chenoweth, supervisor of the detention center and dispatch, and Sheriff Tom Rummel provided a basic outline of the construction plans. “It started with me wanting to expand dispatch,” said Chenoweth. She stated that they need more workstation consoles for dispatchers. From that, the SCSO determined a need to update and expand their systems to prepare...
Sanders County is preparing for an active celebration of the most patriotic holiday of the year, Independence Day. The weekend, each town will celebrate with various group events and festivities. In Thompson Falls, Ainsworth Park will host a Fourth of July celebration. According to Daniel Moore, owner of the Black Bear family of companies and chairman of Thompson Falls Main Street, Inc., the first major event to be held in the Ainsworth Park, after its official grand opening, will be an Independence Day celebration on July 3 and 4. The event...
