Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Last week a student from Plains High School decided to give back to first responders and invited three representatives to come out to the school shop class. Madison Elliott, who has lived in Plains for the last four years, recently got voted in as a state officer for SkillsUSA. As an officer, she traveled to Helena where she, and six other state officers prepared gift baskets to give to local first responders in their hometowns. They prepared 18 gift baskets and each officer took three home...
ASHLEY GROUNDS, Thompson Falls - “We are planning on going to soak at a hot springs. It’s going to be an overnight and I’m excited.” NORVA FRANK, Thompson Falls - “The most memorable Valentine’s Day was the one my girlfriend will never let me forget and that was the one that I forgot.” HOLLY SANDERS, Thompson Falls - “Last Valentine’s Day was the best. We had a special dinner and rose petals and strawberries and chocolate, and it was a lot of fun.” SCHAEFFER LEIB, Thompson Falls - “Favorite Valentine’s Day treat is filet mignon.” CASSIE D...
The Thompson Falls City Council announced at its Monday meeting that Officer Michael Derry had finished his probationary year. The council voted him in unanimously as a full-time officer with the Thompson Falls Police Department. Another issue brought up at the meeting was a proposition to raise coturnix quail inside the city limits. The idea was brought up by resident Ashley Conley, who wants to raise the birds as food for her family. The city has ordinances regulating the ownership of ducks, chickens and rabbits in the town, but none on...
A Trout Creek woman pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of children and to partner or family member assault in 20th District Judicial Court. Diamond Goforth changed her plea on Tuesday, after being charged with the assault of a child who was 15 years old at the time. She was also charged after exposing him to methamphetamine, court documents show. Judge James Manley set a sentencing date of March 23 for Goforth....
"I would just hate for readers to give up on the hard copies of books," said the new president of the Heron Library, Cindy Compton. Having only been the president since January 6, Compton says she still has a lot to learn. The former president, Maggie Gillingham, stepped down recently, after holding that position tirelessly for over six years. Gillingham told the volunteers that if no one could take her place, then the library would have to close. Compton decided to take over the position, even...
Every year the local youth outdoors organization Project ASCENT holds a winter themed carnival for children and their families during the colder months of the year. Last Saturday, the event was held at the Thompson Falls Elementary campus. Youths that came to the event could participate in 12 games designed and built by the Project ASCENT team. Participants won tickets at each game, and the tickets were turned in for fun, educational fun prizes purchased by the organization. Participation was...
After nine days of testimony and eight hours of deliberation, a jury found former Thompson Falls resident Danielle Wood guilty of deliberate homicide last week. Wood was convicted of the charge in the May 2018 death of Matthew LaFriniere, who was found dead at his residence east of Thompson Falls. Wood was arrested in the matter in March 2019. She was living in Polson at the time of her arrest and has been held for almost two years at the Lake County Jail while she awaited trial. "Justice was...
MIKE ZENTZ, Oklahoma - “I’d choose pulled pork.” SCARLETTE SCHWINDT, Thompson Falls - “Spaghetti!” CAROL BAYLOR, Thompson Falls - “The shredded potato casserole. It’s easy to cook and everybody loves it.” SUSIE KACK, Thompson Falls - “My favorite thing to take to a potluck is a big, tossed salad.” SHILA WEESE, Thompson Falls - “My favorite potluck, both to eat and to bring, is seven-layer dip.” RACHAEL GOHL, Tacoma, Washington - “I would do a veggie pizza....
The Thompson Falls School Board met Monday to discuss upcoming projects for the school, as well as damages from the windstorm last month. Elementary Principal Len Dorscher commended his staff for how they handled the day. “It was actually a lot of fun, quite frankly,” said Dorscher. He mentioned how it was a good thing that the students had been kept in the school during the storm, especially considering that the storm had been so unpredictable. They had slight damage to the metal roof on one of the buildings, but nothing that will need to be...
The trial of a former Thompson Falls woman continues this week at the Sanders County Courthouse. Danielle Wood has been charged with one count of deliberate homicide in the death of 51-year-old Matthew LaFriniere, a lifelong Thompson Falls resident who was found dead at his home in May 2018. Wood, 56, has been awaiting trial since her arrest in March of 2019. The trial began last Tuesday in 20th District Judicial Court with Judge Deborah "Kim" Christopher presiding. Prosecutors Daniel...
For many, the great outdoors of Montana is the prime calling that brings them here. A good portion of that love for the outdoors is rooted in the wild creatures that roam the state’s mountains, valleys and waterways. According to The Pew Charitable Trusts, a private non-profit research group that specializes on analyzing and distributing information on public policy and the environment, in 2016 there were nearly 150,000 visits to Montana where the entire goal was wildlife-watching. This number grows each year and now amateur wildlife p...
Testimony continued Tuesday in the trial of Danielle Wood, a former Thompson Falls resident charged with deliberate homicide in the 2018 death of Matthew LaFriniere. Testifying on Tuesday were employees of ZetX Corporation, a company that analyzes cellphone data. Michael Fegely of ZetX told the jury in court Tuesday that he used phone records from Verizon and Google, security video footage and photos of the defendant's car to track Wood's movements throughout the course of the day for May 2,...
Attorneys called their final witnesses on Wednesday in the trial of Danielle Wood, 56, a former Thompson Falls resident accused of deliberate homicide in the death of her ex-boyfriend, Matthew LaFriniere. The jury of eight women and four men has been hearing testimony since the trial began January 19 at the Sanders County Courthouse. On Wednesday, LaFriniere’s father, George, testified. “He was my son, my friend and in a lot of ways my hero,” George said of his son, calling him honest, hardworking and gentle. Also testifying Wednesday was D...
A jury has found former Thompson Falls resident Danielle Wood guilty of deliberate homicide. The jury of eight women and four men deliberated for about eight hours, beginning Thursday evening and continuing Friday morning. Wood was charged in the 2018 murder of Matthew LaFriniere, her ex-boyfriend with whom she shared a child. LaFriniere was found dead at his home east of Thompson Falls on May 3, 2018. Wood was living in Polson when she was arrested in March of 2019. Judge Deborah "Kim"...
The trial of former Thompson Falls resident Danielle Wood began Tuesday with opening arguments by the prosecution and defense attorneys. Prosecutors introduced themselves and their approaches for the trial, stating they intend to convince the jury of eight women and four men that Wood premeditated the 2018 murder of Matthew LaFriniere of Thompson Falls. In opening statements, prosecutors said Wood purchased the firearm prior to the murder and a disposable cell phone in order to call into 911...
Sanders County continues to recover from a severe windstorm that swept through the area last week, leaving downed trees, damaged buildings and residents without power for days. The storm last Wednesday created record wind speeds of over 125 miles per hour, recorded by the National Weather Service at Mount Sentinel in Missoula. In Noxon, gusts of over 70 miles per hours were recorded. For several hours, according to first responders, nearly 75% of the county was without power from trees over...
Jordan Fisher, Thompson Falls - “One thing I have learned from last week’s storm is there is always someone willing to lend a hand, no matter what, especially in a small community.” Terry Harris, Thompson Falls - “What I learned from the storm this last week was I’m grateful for friends and family that come by and help. To the people who brought generators and food and oxygen bottles to keep the oxygen flowing in our home.” Betty Reichert, Thompson Falls - “To have a full tank and have at least five extra gallons in the garage.” Ches...
A fire destroyed the Thompson Falls Genki Asian Cafe on October 17. The blaze burned all night, and the next day there was nothing left but scraps of metal and ash. Jerry Lai, the owner of Genki, has been in the area for several years, however, few know the story of the man who lost everything in that fire. Lai lived in the back of the restaurant and was awoken late that Saturday night to a banging on his door. When he went to answer it, he found Thompson Falls Police Officer Roy Scott who told...
---UPDATED 5:40 p.m. January 21, 2021--- Wednesday afternoon in 20th District Judicial Court, Thompson Falls Police Chief Chris Nichols testified in the trial of former Thompson Falls resident Danielle Wood. He was the first law enforcement officer on the scene on May 3, 2018, the date Matthew LaFriniere was found dead at his home on Airport Road near Thompson Falls. Nichols arrived at the scene and determined that LaFriniere was deceased. He testified that he notified dispatch that EMS could...
The murder trial of former Thompson Falls resident Danielle Wood continued Thursday in Thompson Falls. Mark Hilyard, who was with the state Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) at the time Thompson Falls resident Matthew LaFriniere was found dead at his home near Thompson Falls, testified in court Thursday morning. Hilyard said he and two other DCI agents arrived after 9 p.m. on May 3, 2018, at the scene where Matthew LaFriniere's body was found. Hilyard stated that soon after they arrived,...
As the Danielle Wood trial entered its fifth day of testimony, experts from Google and Verizon testified on Monday. The witnesses testified to the validity of cellphone data and security camera footage gathered by investigators. Kevin McCarvel with the Montana Division of Criminal Investigations continued his testimony on Monday. McCarvel first took the stand on Friday at the Sanders County Courthouse. LaFriniere’s residence on the evening of May 3, 2018. LaFriniere’s body was discovered by a coworker earlier that day. Friday, McCarvel det...
It's been a windy Wednesday morning throughout Sanders County as thousands of residents were left without power. From the Rimrock to the west end of Sanders County and Plains on the east end were without power....
The trial of Danielle Wood, charged with deliberate homicide in the murder of her ex-boyfriend, Matt LaFriniere of Thompson Falls, begins at the Sanders County Courthouse on Tuesday, January 19. Court officials met earlier this month to plan for the trial, estimated to last 1-2 weeks. The pretrial hearing included discussion on how to safely conduct the trial and everything from juror selection to witnesses and court proceedings given the current COVID-19 restrictions. The court will not allow...
A group gathered in front of the Sanders County courthouse with flags to support President Trump and to show their distaste for president-elect, Joe Biden. Organized by the Sanders County Republican Women's Club, the event brought over 100 people at noon on Wednesday in a peaceful protest, sporting dozens of Old Glory, Pro-Trump, and various American flags. The event was sparked by a message that made its way to Club President Stacey Kandel, from the Montanans for Limited government group. The...
GIN WEBER, Bigfork - “I do my taxes as soon as the paperwork comes in.” MARC TERRAZAS, Thompson Falls - “I prepare my taxes well before the April 15 deadline.” KIMBERLY PATTON, Plains - “I file ahead of time. I don’t wait for the last minute for anything.” TAYLOR HUNTSMAN, Sun Valley, California - “I usually cut it close, but I try to get it in before the deadline. Just waiting on those W2s.” MARY YODER, Plains - “My husband takes care of that, but I assume he does it ahead of time.” LEEMAN MATTHEW, Plains - “I file my taxes ahead of time....
