Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
Sorted by date Results 401 - 425 of 475
GRACE GAMBOA, Plains - “I think that some people are definitely upset with having to wear them. Like in restaurants it is kind of different because they take them off as soon as they sit down, so it’s like is that really preventing anything; from walking in the door to sitting down?" BONNIE FIRESTONE, Plains - “I don’t think they are effecting the business much at all because everybody still needs food. We're not really making a huge issue when people come in without a mask, it’s pretty much just up to them.” GENEVIEVE DESHAMPS, Plains - “I...
Police work can be a dangerous and thankless job, especially in today's world. However, there are still those who answer the call to service. This year the Thompson Falls Police Department (TFPD) has welcomed two new officers, both of whom say that policing can also be extremely rewarding. The first officer welcomed to the department this year was Michael Derry, who was hired on February 10. Derry grew up in Thompson Falls and graduated high school here in 2002. He went to college to teach and...
The Hereford Restaurant is open after being closed for about three years. At one time, the business was a popular bar and steak place that fell out of favor and into disrepair. Earlier in 2020, Kim Syth and Pete Kobilansky took on the challenge and reopened the eatery on May 12. The couple hails from Sandpoint, Idaho, and commute 45 minutes to the Hereford seven days a week to make sure that everything is running smoothly. The project to purchase and renew the Hereford stemmed from a dream of...
UPDATE: A fourth case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Sanders County. As a result of Governor Steve Bullock's order on Wednesday, July 15, masks are required in public places in counties with four or more active cases. After the announcement of a fourth case Wednesdays, masks will be required in Sanders County. The first confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Sanders County were confirmed late Monday. According to Sanders County Public Health, three county residents have tested positive for the...
Organizations have found the biggest challenge to economic growth in Sanders County is the dire need for housing. According to the new Sanders County Community Development Corporation (SCCDC) Executive Director, Ray Brown, over the past few years the county has been conducting assessments through block grants and have found that “affordable housing is a major barrier for development.” Brown explained that the current stock of housing is either non-existent, unaffordable or unlivable and that there is no incentive for builders in the area. The...
SHEREE SULLIVAN, Thompson Falls - “Yes. There’s too much of the buying of the land with a house put on it, which raises the property tax and the local first time home owners are not able to afford that cost. There isn’t any housing in town because most of those are rentals and the rent is astronomical for the amount of pay in this area. It’s not balanced out at all.” ERMAH EHEE, Plains - “Well I think the county needs more affordable housing, especially for people who come into the county.” GENE WARREN, Plains - “I think so, because people...
A Heron man is in the hospital and another in custody after a shooting on Lower River Road last weekend. According to family members, 36-year-old Edgar “ET” Torrey was shot during a neighbor dispute over garbage at a residence in Heron. The shooting happened Saturday, July 11, around 7:30 p.m., according to Torrey’s sister-in-law, Tiffaney Lewis. She said multiple shots were fired. Torrey was shot once and was recovered by family members who reportedly fired back, although Lewis said that no one else was injured. Family rushed Torrey to meet...
A 78-year-old man remains in a Missoula hospital after being struck by a train at a crossing in Thompson Falls on June 29. Gary Freeman is listed in currently in fair condidtion, according to JoAnn Hoven, public information coordinator at St. Patrick’s Hospital. Freeman was first transported to Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains after the accident, then moved to St. Patrick’s Hospital....
Dixon man Michael Stocking appeared in 20th District Judicial Court on Tuesday for sentencing. Stocking was convicted of two counts of assault, one on a minor, and has been sentenced to 10 years with the Montana Department of Corrections with credit for 50 days served. Stocking was also convicted of assaulting his girlfriend and daughter during a family dispute. Also on Tuesday, Vincent Morkert of Lonepine pleaded not guilty to one charge of assault with a weapon on a neighbor. According to charging documents, the dispute happened over a mail...
Lacy Wieckowski, Thompson Falls - “I do believe that masks should be mandatory. As long as it’s worn properly it should help prevent the spread.” Jeff Suttorp, Thompson Falls - “Mask wearing should be up to the individual if they like it for their own safety. I am all for the hand sanitizer and stuff though.” Mary Kay Notsch, Plains - “I think making masks mandatory is against our Constitution and we would be forced to do something that I do not believe is appropriate. Plus, I believe that for children being made to wear a mask is insanity. I...
been celebrating the Fourth of July as a community. Each year the community comes out with food, drinks and games to celebrate the time with family and friends. For many years, the American Legion in Paradise has been hosting it. this year they set up a barbecue to cook free hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone. Darin King, commander of the American Legion Post 129, manned the grill. The group also donated about $1,000 worth of class C fireworks to the fairgrounds firework show. According to...
Since 2004 the community of Thompson Falls has been striving to maintain the natural beauty of the town. Beautification Days is a way for community members to affect change on mass, as hundreds of people from schools, businesses and residents come out to clean up garbage and complete service projects. The event also provides help for residents who need it, such as the elderly, to remove garbage from their yards or complete much needed yard work. Due to COVID-19 the actual Beautification Days...
The Sanders County Community Development Corporation (SCCDC) recently welcomed Ray Brown as its new executive director. Brown took over the position June 8 and is excited for the chance to work in his community and to make a difference. Brown accepted the position vacated when former Executive Director Jen Kreiner moved out of the area. Kreiner left large shoes to fill, having been a key member of efforts to revitalize Ainsworth Park in Thompson Falls, which is currently under construction, as...
For the first time in 45 years, the Noxon Bicentennial community park committee has canceled the Fourth of July celebrations due to COVID-19 regulations. In a committee meeting held in May, the members decided not to host their annual festivities. “A majority felt it could be very difficult to hold their regular activities while complying with regulations and guidelines,” said committee member Joyce Hilt. Fortunately, the committee found that the annual fireworks display could still be hosted, as people could follow social distancing guidelines...
MICHELLE TYLER, West Pasco, Washington - “The Fourth of July celebrates the birth of our country, when the country signed the Declaration of Independence. Freedom from tyrannical rule. I have a fear that we are headed back that way, so this is an important holiday.” ELLIOTT ROETTGER, Washington - “The most important part to me about Fourth of July is celebrating our country for what it has become.” IAN TYLER, West Pasco, Washington - “To celebrate our country, the USA.” JACKIE PRIDE, Thompson Falls - “The best part of celebrating July 4th is c...
The radio has long been the symbol of communication. Ever since its invention in the mid 1890's, radio has played an important role in basic operations around the world. Last Saturday locals from the Clark Fork Valley Amateur Radio Club participated in a worldwide event, showcasing the communicative power of radio. The Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) Field Day is an annual event that opens the world up to communicate through radio waves. Much of the basic equipment that was used Saturday...
When most high school seniors are asked what they plan on doing after graduation, few will say that they plan to pursue a trade. America is built by the strong backs of blue-collar Americans, however, according to some, it seems that is being lost with today’s youth. One such individual is Justin Wright, the shop teacher at Hot Springs High School. “A lot of high schoolers are not presented that these careers are an option,” said Wright, who has been working for Hot Springs for the last few years and has tried to bring with him a passion for th...
Emergency personnel responded Monday to a report of a pedestrian hit by a train in Thompson Falls. According to witnesses interviewed at the scene, a man was walking across the crossing on the west end of Thompson Falls about 1:15 p.m. when the crossing arms came down. The pedestrian was struck by the train. Thompson Falls Ambulance crews transported the man to Clark Fork Valley Hospital. No further details are available....
Father's Day for many means going fishing, camping or just sitting around and watching football with dad, but for more than 100 people this Father's Day weekend it meant the annual Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) trap shoot in Plains. The participation rate this year was well over twice that of 2019, and set a record for the trap club. According to Cookie Kunzer, from the Plains Trap Club, "This was the first year we have had all six traps running." They had just recently put in the new...
y John Dowd In District Court last week, bond was reduced to $25,000 for Dalton McFarland of Hot Springs. McFarland is charged with aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, two counts of assault of a family member and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. The 20th District Judicial Court is looking at options to stay compliant with social distancing guidelines as Danielle Wood’s July 20 trial date nears. Attorneys and court officials discussed last week the option of using the Thompson Falls High School gym to hold j...
A dump truck and a pickup collided in a construction zone east of Thompson Falls on Monday. A tow truck backs up to the pickup to load it as first responders look on. According to witnesses interviewed at the scene, dump truck was working its way up the hill on Highway 200 when a truck he thought was a pilot car came up in front of him. The pilot vehicle was in the wrong land and the dump truck driver decided to pass the white pickup. As the dump truck driver veered around, the white pickup...
While some consider radio an obsolete tool, however there are many in the Sanders County area keeping the art of broadcast and ham alive. On Saturday, June 27, the American Radio Relay League will be holding their annual national Radio communication day. The event will be held in both the United States and in Canada and will draw the efforts of radio fans everywhere. Participants will camp out, practice for emergency situations, and partake in contests drawing on their skills as operators. In Sanders County the Amateur Radio Club will be coming...
Residents gathered on Main Street in Thompson Falls on Sunday to express their opinions about current events across the country. Though there were two groups organized, they shared the same opinion that all lives matter. A small protest was organized by 19-year-old Trinity Godfrey of Thompson Falls on Sunday. Godfrey announced the gathering on Facebook and posted flyers around town. When Godfrey and a few friends showed up outside the Sanders County Courthouse, she stated that many others did...
LIAM PALLISTER, Thompson Falls - “It would probably be fishing at my grandpa’s pond in the cabin in Helena. It was really fun.” VANESSA PALLISTER, Thompson Falls - “Gold panning for gold and sapphires in Philipsburg. We panned for them in streams, just anywhere there was a stream. He always had his stuff with him and we’d try.” ASHLEY GROUNDS, Thompson Falls - “My father used to make summers extremely special and we used to go camping and we loved to rollerblade.” PATRICK YOUNG, Sandpoint, Idaho - “My fondest memory of my father would be p...
Locals gathered in front of the Sanders County Courthouse in Thompson Falls for a vigil honoring those who they believe have lost their lives to racism in the United States. On Friday Kathryn Harbel, along with her young son Declan and her husband Neil, welcomed about 30 people to the vigil that she organized. They sat on the side of the road from 3-5:30 p.m. with signs to share their message. Kathryn and Neil decided to do the protest because her son is partially African American, and she is...
