Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Clark Fork Valley Elks (CFVE) in Thompson Falls continue their endeavor of helping make a better and safer community by bringing aid to the rural volunteer fire departments in Sanders County. The Montana State Elks Association (MSEA) created the State Major Project with the mission to help Montana's 8,000 volunteer firefighters do their job more safely and efficiently. On Saturday, CFVE Exalted Ruler Charlie Munday presented checks to Heron and Trout Creek rural fire departments at the Wayside...
For nearly 40 years, students at Thompson Falls Elementary have participated in the school's Running Start Program. A program geared toward encouraging students to read for fun. On Friday morning, Elementary Principal Len Dorscher gathered students in K-6 for the traditional run around the basketball court to symbolize the start of the program. "I've been leading the run for all nine years I've been here," Dorscher said. "This is the longest running program of any sort we've done at this...
Spring has sprung for the Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA) as they get ready to host their 8th annual Easter Eggstravaganza. Every year, up to 300 kids show up to hunt for the nearly 6,000 eggs that have been filled with candy and prizes by volunteers. Last year’s event saw over 200 children. “We are anticipating a lot of happy kiddos again,” said Liz Stender with TCCIA. This year’s Eggstravaganza is free and will be held on Saturday, April 16, at Trout Creek Park. Activities will include an easter egg hunt for differe...
A new salon in Thompson Falls opened its doors in February and is offering a variety of beauty services. After graduating from Creviers Academy of Cosmetology Arts in December, owner Belle LeForce opened Simply Belle in her hometown. "I've always liked the idea of being my own boss," LeForce said. "Go big or go home, right?" Simply Belle is a full-service hair salon that also offers waxing, eyelash extensions, gel nails and acrylic enhancements. While the salon does not offer pedicures, the...
Have you ever wandered into your local feed store and walked out with not only four new Ameraucana chicks but two turkey poults as well? I have. I’m still not sure how it happened, but it did and I’m not even upset about it. Over the years I’ve read quite a bit about raising chickens and ducks but not so much about raising turkeys. I know they are similar to hens in the sense that they are social and friendly, but that’s about it. Before getting chicks, I spent the winter reading about how to raise them, before the ducks, another winter...
Beagle's Bakery and Espresso in Thompson Falls celebrated five years in business last Friday. Known for their homemade baked goods, breakfast sandwiches and burritos, owner Heather Chavez spent the day welcoming customers and celebrating with her family. To mark the occasion, customer's names were drawn every hour for prizes. From free drinks and breakfast sandwiches to the final drawing at 3 p.m. for a basket loaded with merchandise and coffee. "I'm very humbled that we've been able to...
Thompson Falls School Board met Monday night to discuss several items on the agenda, including the approval of re-hiring Elementary Principal Len Dorscher and High School Principal Jodi Morgan for the 2022-2023 school year. Both hirings were approved by the board. A request from superintendent Bud Scully for a multi-use building project needs approval before proceeding with a contractor. The building project request was for a general contractor to develop a plan and pricing for an additional 10 feet to the length of a planned building for the...
Sanders County’s unemployment rate currently ranks as the fifth highest in the state. While Montana has seen a drop in unemployment since January of this year, Sanders County sits at a rate of 6.2%. According to Jessica Nelson, Montana Department of Labor and Industry Public Information Officer, this number is slightly higher than the “normal” unemployment rate of around 4%. “Part of the unemployment rate is due to the slow winter season, which typically has the lowest level of jobs in Montana’s economy,” Nelson said. “Across the full state, t...
Thompson Falls students performed the play "Johnny Appleseed" for classmates and community members last week in the junior high gym. Missoula Children's Theatre (MCT) and Thompson Falls Schools have been working together to bring theater opportunities to students for the last 40 years. This year alone, MCT has worked with 65,000 children in more than 1,200 communities in all 50 states and 17 countries. "Auditions are open to anybody in K-12, but are limited to the students who live within our sc...
Every March 14, math and science lovers around the world celebrate Pi Day, a commemoration of the mathematical sign pi. The date written numerically as 3/14 matches the first three digits of the never-ending number: 3.14. Pi Day was officially designated a holiday by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2009, but was first celebrated in California in the year 1988. Teachers embrace the holiday with fun math, science and art activities for their students. This year, Trout Creek Adventist School s...
The Clark Fork Valley Elks (CFVE) hosted their fourth annual community baby shower for expecting mothers and families with children in Sanders County on Saturday. "We have 21 mothers or expecting mothers at this year's baby shower," said Michelle Blackstone with CFVE. The event is made possible with funding from the Elks National Foundation's Spotlight grant. Funding is given to those events that focus on health, nutrition and literacy in the families. Kay McKinzie, the Sanders County Tobacco...
Spearheading the effort to decrease opiate use and overdoses in Sanders County, Hot Springs Police Department in partnership with Hot Springs Community Ambulance and Whiteline Consulting and Training have reached out to the public for help in aiding the fight against the opioid epidemic. Nearly 30 community members attended a free Narcan training last Saturday at the Hot Springs Fire Hall, a first for Sanders County. "We are never going to win the war on drugs, but there are steps we can take...
Students from Thompson Falls Elementary and Trout Creek Seventh Day Adventist School have once again let their art skills shine by participating in the annual Beautification Days poster contest. This year's Beautification Days, put on by Thompson Falls Main Street, is set for Thursday-Saturday, April 21-23. Every year, Beautification Days encourages people to help with spring cleaning around the community as well as lending a hand to neighbors and helping with any yard work they are unable to...
Last Saturday marked the 7th Annual Redneck Ball at the Lakeside Motel and Resort in Trout Creek. Sponsored by the Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA), this event is the organization's largest fundraiser of the year. After last year's cancellation due to COVID-19, TCCIA was ready to help rid everyone of their cabin fever. "We sold all 150 tickets for the event," said Liz Stender, TCCIA chairperson. "We had record-breaking attendance. I guess it was lucky number seven. We had a...
by Miriah Kardelis A neglected Hot Springs dog is now in her forever home after a long journey that began on Christmas morning when she was found wandering around town and was taken to the police department. Hot Springs Police Officer Jason Acheson was on duty when a worried community member brought the dog in. While the dog did not have a collar, her appearance and health were a concern, prompting Acheson to reach out to the town of Hot Springs via Facebook to find her owners. "I started callin...
PAT MILHAM, Trout Creek - “I don’t have a preference. Just choose one or the other.” BETH MORKERT, Noxon - “I prefer spring because it’s lighter in the morning.” JOLINE TAPIA, Thompson Falls - “Spring. You get more daylight and longer hours.” NICHOLAS TAPIA, Thompson Falls - “Spring because it’s not cold, it’s warm.” JADEN BEWICK, Thompson Falls - “I would say Spring.” ARIA MAYFIELD, Thompson Falls - “Spring! You spring forward....
by Miriah Kardelis Students from Trout Creek Adventist School gathered for the third annual toothpick bridge contest in the school's gym. This year served to be the biggest turnout the contest has seen and teacher Maurita Crew's father, who started the toothpick bridge contest in the 1970s, was also in the crowd. Students are allowed to use up to 750 toothpicks and any glue they want to build their bridges. A theme and a particular set of color choices were seen in the year's bridges as the 12 s...
Kaniksu Land Trust (KLT) has established a connection in Montana by hiring its first dedicated staff member to lead conservation and recreation in the Sanders County portion of its service area. A press release from late February named Kayla Mosher as KLT's new Recreation and Outreach Coordinator. "As a very significant portion of KLT's conservation work unfolds along the wild rivers and in the shadow of the Cabinet Mountains of Sanders County, we are delighted to now have a staff person based...
The courthouse in Thompson Falls was buzzing last Friday as students from around the county gathered to compete in the 35th Annual Sanders County Spelling Bee. First Security Bank and The Sanders County Ledger have both sponsored the spelling bee for the last 35 years. "We are very proud of this tradition," said Sanders County Ledger Publisher Annie Wooden. "The Ledger and First Security Bank have been the longest private sponsors for any spelling bee in the state." With standing room only,...
February is "I Love to Read" month and those who partake get to celebrate all things reading. The students of Hot Springs celebrated the annual occurrence with 10 themed days of reading. The week started off with a school-wide pajama and pancake breakfast. Throughout the week, students got to dress up for different themed days, some of which included Hawaiian Day, Superhero Day and "Turn Up the Heat of Reading" Day, where students showed up to class dressed in red and black, the school's...
The Local Store in Trout Creek is under new ownership. Ross and Michelle Fitchett took over operations last November and they say business has been steady. "We were able to keep all the original employees and we were able to hire a few new people," Ross said. While the purchase of licensing to sell tobacco and alcohol took longer than expected, the owners say once those were approved, running the store has been pretty smooth so far. With the idea of expansion in mind, the owners have started...
As we leave the winter season behind, many will begin the yearly ritual of spring planting. Some may even dig a bit deeper by starting to prep the soil for those spring plants. The health of our soil is just as important, if not more, as the health of our plants. Soil health will ultimately determine if your garden will thrive. There are a lot of ways to improve the health and quality of your soil other than compost and conventional fertilizers. Many of those eco-friendly options can be found right in your kitchen. Coffee grounds contain a sign...
After last year’s hiatus due to COVID-19, the annual Redneck Ball is back, giving some relief to those with cabin fever from the long winter. A night out on the town, hosted by the Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA), is just what every redneck needs right now. This year’s event is set for Saturday, March 5, at the Lakeside Motel and Resort in Trout Creek. A no-host social hour sets off the night at 5 p.m. with food specials from the Lakeside. The show begins at 7 p.m. This marks the seventh year for the Redneck Ball and TCC...
Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) is ready and looking forward to working with Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA) as advocates work toward restoring passenger rail service across the Southern Montana Route. The message of support comes shortly after Montana Rail Link’s (MRL) announcement that the company is letting its lease expire and will be turning over operations to BNSF. “BNSF gave us a ringing message of support for resumed passenger rail through the heart of Montana,” said BSPRA treasurer and Sanders County representative Jerry M...
Sanders County Democrats hosted February’s installment of their virtual cinema series, “What Unites Us” which centered around celebrating the 50th anniversary of Montana’s State Constitutional Convention. The hour-long event saw around 20 attendees. “We are here to discuss topics of unity as opposed to division,” said Sanders County Democrats Chairperson Mindy Ferrell, before introducing John Thorson, Vice-Chair of Sanders County Democrats and the evening’s master of ceremonies. The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of Montana’s Constitution...
