Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Many have noticed a large beast traveling around Thompson Falls. The creature weighs about 600 pounds, stands about seven feet tall and from nose to tail is nearly 15 feet long. It has sharp gnashing teeth and long horns on its head. This monster is not a figment of imagination, nor is it dangerous. It is the brainchild and creation of a man visiting from North Dakota. Tyler, who did not wish his last name to be known, came out to visit a friend, bringing with him his family and his monstrous...
As soon as COVID-19 began to spread through the United States and regulations had to be put in place, citizens immediately had to give up their freedoms to congregate, to go where they want and even to work. However, one freedom that is not being discussed is the freedom to a speedy trail. Danielle Wood, a former Thompson Falls woman charged with deliberate homicide in the death of 51-year-old Matthew LaFriniere, has been waiting for her trial since early last year, when she made her first...
Officer Bob Thornhill was recognized during Monday's Thompson Falls City Council meeting for his contributions to the Thompson Falls Police Department (TFPD), as well as to the community as a whole. Officer Thornhill served in the Army for most of his life and came to Thompson Falls to settle down. He started in the area as detention officer, however, soon found himself serving as interim chief for around four months. He eventually moved into a position as the School Resource Officer (SRO) for...
CRAIG CAMPBELL, Hawaii — “I’ve traveled to over 30 countries and, in my experience, traveling has broadened my horizons, diversified my thinking and allowed me to experience a multitude of cultures and experiences. CHRISTINA GOODWIN, Noxon — “I grew up locally and I moved away for a while, but I found myself wanting to come home and I love it here. I love my life the way it is now.” KAREN EVANS, Thompson Falls — “I definitely prefer staying in this county. I moved here in 2000 and raised our kids here. We love it here and hope to never leave....
The local outdoor organization Project ASCENT is holding a silent auction at the Thompson Falls Elks Lodge from June 15 to June 27. Several local artists will be donating their work to the auction as well as businesses and craftsman. The non-profit has been hit hard, just as many businesses and organizations have during the COVID-19 outbreak. In order to make ends meet through the year, Project ASCENT has had to make several sacrifices, as the high time for their fundraisers has past and big events have had to be canceled, according to organiza...
A man who went missing on Memorial Day showed up in Spokane a week later. James Whitmarsh, from Bonner, Montana, reportedly suffered a concussion and was severely starved and dehydrated. When he was found June 6, he was also suffering from hypothermia and was disoriented, according to his partner, Bobbi Hurley. It is believed that he went down to the water to wash his face and tripped, hitting his head on something hard and falling into the water. Hurley’s family came to help search for him, and they even got ahold of a search-dog o...
A last-minute effort brought almost 40 people to Thompson Falls last Saturday for the Race Against Racism. The 5K was organized by the Naegeli family and the Clark Fork Valley Running Club (CFVRC). At the start of the event the hosts collected donations and participants who donated received a special t-shirt for the event. The run traveled through town and around the Powerhouse Loop trail. Runners were encouraged to stay the safe 6-foot distance between each other, due to COVID-19. The race was...
On Tuesday in 20th District Judicial Court, Lisa Koker, a Thompson Falls woman who was the former deputy treasurer for Sanders County. Koker is charged with theft, tampering with public records and official misconduct. Koker allegedly stole $704 cash from a county deposit as well as a cash property tax payment of $1,971. Koker pleaded not guilty and her trial has currently been set for Oct 19. Anthony Waller met via video conference for his initial hearing. Waller is being charged with driving under the influence. He pleaded not guilty and his...
ANDREA CHRISTENSEN, Thompson Falls – “I think that mental health professionals are the least appreciated. I think that they are taken for granted; their accessibility and what they have to offer.” ROB CHRISTENSEN, Thompson Falls – “I think search and rescue is the least appreciated because they are completely volunteer, and we rely on them at all hours and they don’t get paid for it. They do all this major training and they put in a lot of time for us.” BEVERLY BASSETT, Thompson Falls – “I fu...
It has been over a week since a Bonner, Montana, man went missing while out on a camping trip with his common-law wife and her niece along Thompson River Road. On May 25, 51-year-old James Whitmarsh disappeared after his RV had a flat tire. Whitmarsh, along with his partner Bobbi Hurley and her niece, 18-year-old Autumn Morse, stopped at the corner of Montana Highway 200 and Thompson River Road. There Whitmarsh left the vehicle to check the tire and did not return. According to Bobbi, Whitmarsh...
With the Trout Creek bridge closure on the horizon, a big question that has arisen is the query of what to do with the garbage. Since large trucks cannot travel on the Blue Slide Road due to its weight limits, what will have to happen to the trash of those living to the east and west of the bridge? The refuse site for those in Trout Creek is located to the west of the bridge, however most of the trash for the town is generated to the east, where most of the town is located. The Trout Creek Bridge officially closes on June 1 and the county has...
MARY CAMINETTI, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – “First of all, I would like to congratulate all the seniors here in Sanders County and just wish you the best of blessings. Stay busy, enjoy being in God’s county and use what he gives us. Keep your head up and keep your plans. Stay focused on what you want to do in life.” SARAH BURK, Thompson Falls – “Take advice, listen to it and try to reach your goals. Enjoy your life.” ROXANNE COLEMAN, Thompson Falls – “Just have a great life and enjoy it because it goes too fast and make your creator proud.” MIC...
Hot Springs students and family gathered in the football field to celebrate the graduation of the seniors of 2020. Rain loomed on the horizon; however, it blew by, opening into a clear sky and the event remained unspoiled. This symbolized the spirit of the graduates throughout the day and the event as a whole. Social distancing and COVID-19 may have put a damper on graduations for 2020, but the Hot Springs staff and students held a hopeful and successful graduation. During the proceedings,...
KRYSTAL McKINNEY, Thompson Falls — “Gas prices.” GARY THOMPSON, Thompson Falls — “I think it has made us all slow down a little bit and reflect and help us to think about other people and not just ourselves.” PHILIP WILLIAMSON, Thompson Falls — “I believe that it has drawn families closer together. I’ve seen a lot of kids playing in the streets, riding bikes and spending more time together as a family. Another thing I hope has happened is that people have come to realize that they are not as self-sufficient as they might think they are....
Thompson Falls Schools is welcoming their new superintendent, Bud Scully. Scully brings positive energy to the position and 30 years of administrative experience and 40 years of experience in education as a whole. Scully grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. and went to college in Denver, Colorado, to major in physical education, although he says he has never had a full-time physical education teaching job. He has a master's degree in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University, and a Master...
Starting on July 1, Thompson Falls High will be welcoming their new principal, Daniel Schrock. Originally from Michigan, Schrock is currently acting as principal and superintendent in Seeley Lake, Montana. He went to Northern Michigan University and was the first in his family to graduate. According to Schrock, his father told him, "son, no one wrote me a check so I'm not writing you one." So Schrock worked his way through school. while he was getting his education, he worked nights at the...
Of the many difficult decisions having been made in the wake of COVID-19, perhaps the biggest for the community of Trout Creek is the cancelation of the 2020 Huckleberry Festival. The festival is awaited by locals and visitors from across the country. It is one of the largest events held in the county and takes all year to plan. It draws over 5,000 people a year to the area and brings in much needed business to the county. With the uncertainty of the coming months, the committee decided to cancel this year’s festival. Because of the y...
On Monday Dave Williams, with Joint Operation Mariposa, came out to drop off a truck load of potatoes for the Gospel Mountain Assembly of God Food Pantry. The pantry has been around for over 10 years and helps anyone in need of food. The potatoes came from a larger event hosted in Missoula over the weekend called the Great Montana Veteran Potato and Hand Sanitizer Community giveaway. At the giveaway in Missoula, Williams worked with the United Veterans Council, United After Duty United States...
Teachers are having to find increasingly clever ways to keep their students involved and to keep them from being let down. In Trout Creek, one such teacher decided to host a drive-through art show to feature her students' work from throughout the year. Maurita Crew, the lone teacher for the Trout Creek Adventist School, a small private school run out of Seventh Day Adventist Church, decided to do something a little different with her class. The idea sprouted from a canceled event that the school...
SUZY MOTT, Thompson Falls - “A moose because a friend of mine said they have a big ponderous head, but I love their antlers and they just look majestic to me.” ANGEL WHITING, Thompson Falls - “My favorite Montana animal would be the bobcat because I’ve only seen it once and seeing it for the first time was really cool.” KIRSTIN GARRISON, Eureka - “My favorite Montana animal is a black bear because there’s a bunch where I live and I’ve seen quite a few, so it’s pretty cool.” CHRIS EATWELL, Eureka - “My favorite animal is a cougar; it’s the only...
A Thompson Falls man was sentenced on Tuesday to a two-year deferred sentence with the Department of Corrections. Eric Malchow, as part of the sentence from Judge James Manley, will also have to complete the sexual offender treatment program. Malchow was sentenced on a count of felony intimidation. Two counts of sexual assault against Malchow were dismissed in 20th District Judicial Court. Also on Tuesday, Jamie Shinnaberry Betts received a deferred three-year sentence with the Department of Corrections. The Thompson Falls woman was accused of...
The Thompson Falls City Council met Monday night to discuss several issues facing the town and returning operations to normalcy. The first item discussed was the town water bills, which for some community members have not been paid for two months. Last month the bills’ deadlines were extended to give people of the community some relief from the financial strain caused by COVID-19 regulations. However, the city cannot perpetually carry the costs of providing water, especially in such a small community. The council elected to allow Mayor S...
The Sanders County Yard Sale-ing event is considered by many to be one of the most anticipated events of the year. Given the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak and the fact that Sanders County has no yet-reported cases the event was officially canceled. According to Robin Hagedorn, with Thompson Falls Main Street Committee, who has been handling the yard sale for the last three years, the event’s main goal is to bring in people from all over the area, and from out of county, drawing business to the local shops and stores of S...
Noxon students gathered to exercise their First Amendment rights leading student-organized protest at the Noxon School on Friday afternoon. Students were protesting the vote by the Noxon School Board on Thursday to non-renew contracts of two faculty members, science teacher Jason Colyer and school counselor Amy Henderson. Henderson was a counselor for the school, with duties including scholarships and class schedules. She was also working outside of schools to build up hours to be a counselor....
KAITLYNN GRIMM, Thompson Falls — “Thunderstorms and the flowers. It’s the time when the cold goes away, finally.” TERESA JACKSON, Trout Creek — “The outdoor activities.” AUSTIN CORRIGAN, Thompson Falls — “Fishing the river for the trout when they come in.” PAUL GAYTON, Thompson Falls — “Coming from Texas, I like the length of spring. You actually do have a spring here. Then watching and learning all the new flowers and vegetation and animals.” GEORGE HOILAND, Thompson Falls — “My favorite part is the outdoor activities; fishing, gatherin...
