Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Crowds gathered Sunday night at the Sanders County Fairgrounds in Plains as the demolition derby returned after last year's cancellation due to COVID-19. Drivers from Montana, Idaho, North Dakota and Washington put on a show for the sold-out event over Labor Day Weekend. Fair Manager Melissa Cady said out of 65 drivers who signed up to compete, 34 showed up to participate in Sunday evening's event. While the derby has proven to be a favorite every year, this year, the event sold out at 3,929...
Sanders County 4-H members returned to the fair after an uncertain year due to implications of COVID-19. While the livestock auction took place last year, many 4-H members missed out on the social aspect of the event. As you make your way into the rabbit and poultry section and hear the all too familiar sound of a rooster showing off and chicks chirping away, on the other side are the rabbit entries. Juli Thurston, MSU Extension Agent for Sanders County, said while the number of 4-H exhibitors...
I covered some of the 4-H at the fair this past weekend and while I normally like to meander through the stalls picking out all the different animals I want to take home, this year I had to dive into some research and find out what actually goes into everything the 4-H kids do. I spoke with several 4-H members during my time at the fair and I received answers all similar to one another. Everyone was happy to be back after the uncertainty of last year. One thing I didn’t realize was that this is a way of life for these kids, and without it, l...
Hot Springs Senior Center held their annual fundraiser at the end of August and while the turnout was smaller compared to previous years, board president Lyn Sheldon says they still have good community support. "We have very generous supporters," Sheldon said. "Buck's Grocery was a tremendous supporter for this fundraiser." This year's barbecue fundraiser only brought in $270 and Sheldon says Buck's Grocery donated all the hot dogs and buns. "Everything has been slow and continues to be slow...
The second public meeting to address future growth plans in Plains took place at the end of August with discussions focusing on the priorities of the community as the planning group in charge of creating a growth policy, continues their involvement as they work toward developing and building a future growth policy. While the first meeting centered around a heated debate on affordable housing, the second meeting showed to be more productive as the nearly dozen attendees were able to discuss the planning study results that will aid in the...
In the middle of his 56-county tour, Gov. Greg Gianforte made a stop in Thompson Falls last week to discuss forest management. Included in that conversation was Sheriff Tom Rummel, County Commissioners Tony Cox and Glen Magera, State Senator Bob Brown, District 13 Representative Paul Fielder, Public Service Commissioner Jennifer Fielder and four community members. Gianforte began his day in Frenchtown giving high fives to the local first graders as they went into their second day of school. The...
After last year's cancellation due to COVID-19, Montana Shakespeare in the Park (MSIP) returned for its 2021 season. This year's summer productions were, "A Midsummer's Night Dream" shown at Trout Creek Park, sponsored by Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA) and "Cymbeline," shown at the fairgrounds in Plains, sponsored by Plains Woman's Club. MSIP has been touring for 49 years, traveling nearly 7,000 miles through Montana and neighboring states. After a year of uncertainty, the...
Upgrades to the Thompson Falls Airport are progressing. In 2020, the airport received $733,276 in federal grant funding for improvements including upgrades to the runway lighting. "The 2020 grant was always intended to be coupled with a future 2021 project grant," said Lance Bowser, Airport Group Manager at Robert Peccia and Associates, the firm who has represented Thompson Falls and Plains airports since the mid-90s. The $3.4 million project began its construction on July 6 of this year and is...
Preston Wenz will be joining Trout Creek School as the new superintendent. Wenz comes to the school with over 20 years of educational experience, 12 of which have been held at an administrative level. Wenz has served at just about every position in education including substitute teacher, teacher's aide, teacher, assistant principal, principal and superintendent. All of these positions, he says, have helped guide his leadership. "I'll never forget the educational positions I have served in,"...
Thompson Falls High School welcomes a familiar face as its new principal this year. Jodi Morgan has been the school's counselor for the last 13 years and with the support of her staff, she has the confidence to take on her new role. "I care deeply about this school district and the students in it," Morgan said. "I want to make this a better place." Morgan has spent many years getting to know the district and its community, but says it has never felt like the right time to take on a new position...
Thompson Falls Elementary is heading into the school year with new faculty members and an increased enrollment. Principal Len Dorscher said the school will welcome five new teachers this year. Samantha Varner, who graduated high school from Bigfork, is the new first grade teacher, Morgan Owen will be the school’s new English language and arts teacher, the school’s new band director for grades 5-12 will be Haile Ward, Karli Thomas, a Thompson Falls graduate, will be welcomed as the new k-8 physical education teacher and Sarah Naegeli, who has...
A fire destroyed the pavilion at NorthWestern Energy's Power Park in Thompson Falls in the early-morning hours on Friday. Officials at the scene said the call came in about 12:15 a.m. Friday. The state fire marshal's office was en route to investigate the incident. No further information was available as of Friday morning....
While the continuation of COVID-19 has left many seeking some sense of normalcy, one aspect of life has remained consistent for residents and that is the efforts of the Thompson Falls Public Library as they persevere and steadily bring aid to those who need it. Before the pandemic hit and long after it subsides, the library will continue to provide their services, several of which may still be unknown to the community. During the pandemic, the community sought out help from the library as many a...
Plains High School is welcoming a new principal this school year. Ryon Noland, 46, will be taking over for Kevin Meredith, who is transitioning to the K-6 principal post. Noland's first day was Aug. 12. "I have been working in the school since July 1 to get a jump start on the upcoming school year," Noland said. The new principal took several days last spring to become better acquainted with all the stakeholders of Plains school district, including conversing with fellow staff and volunteering...
As Hot Springs heads into another academic school year, superintendent Gerald Chouinard reflects on his first year in the position. “It has been a very good year,” he said of the 2020-2021 school year. “I’ve signed on for three more years and will be contracted through 2024.” While Chouinard continues furthering the connection between students and teachers, he also plans to create and maintain a stronger outreach with the community. “I absolutely love Hot Springs,” Chouinard said. “The community has been extremely supportive in what most educa...
SHAWNNA McKINNEY, Town Pump - “Honesty and integrity. Just be truthful.” SANDRA GUBEL, Sanders County Tobacco Prevention Specialist - “Willingness to learn.” RAY BROWN, SCCDC Executive Director - “Accountability.” LORI DALKE, Professional Travelers Inc. - “Honesty, ethics and morals.” MIKAYLA HALONE, Blackfoot Communications - “Willingness to learn. I can teach anything to someone who is willing to learn." WILLIAM SCOTT, MT Army National Guard - “The most important quality in a job candidate boils down to integrity and taking ownership. W...
I took a trip to Kalispell last weekend to watch a documentary called “The Pollinators.” Flathead Conservation District hosted the event, which they called Pollinators in the Park. While it served to be a fun Friday evening, sitting on the grass in Woodland Park watching a documentary on honey bees, it was also an eye-opening experience. “The Pollinators” focuses on the billions of honey bees that are transported around the country each year pollinating commercial crops. It is a meticulous documentary detailing the trials and tribulations of th...
For many, the lack of attainable and available housing in the county has grown exponentially, leading many community leaders to believe the current housing situation has reached crisis level. To shed some light on the gravity of the circumstances, Sanders County Community Development Corporation Executive Director Ray Brown convened expert panelists from around the state to discuss different resources that could work for the county. “We’ve got some housing issues,” Brown said. “I don’t think we're alone in our battle, but I don’t think it’s...
Fire restrictions, road closures and hot smoky weather may have put a damper on the weekend, but not for Coyote Days at the Wild Coyote Saloon. Despite several barriers and last year's cancellation due to COVID-19, owner Karen Ferguson believes the weekend was very successful. "With the road being closed through the Coeur d'Alene corridor, people still came and just went through St. Regis," Ferguson said. Stage 2 fire restrictions caused a shift in Saturday's schedule but the lawn mower races...
The Sanders County Historical Society and Old Jail Museum have requested financial help with funding through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), government funding that has been provided to help respond to COVID-19 and its impact on local economies. Vonn Briggs, Old Jail Museum director and board member, met with Sanders County commissioners last week to discuss the need to keep the museum safe while continuing to preserve its history. Briggs requested funds for several projects totaling $15,700. “The whole process started when I met Sanders C...
Sanders County residents filled the senior center in Plains last Thursday night to sit in on a meeting addressing potential growth plans for the town. An outdated growth policy prompted Plains Mayor Dan Rowan to reach out to Sanders County Community Development Corporation (SCCDC) Executive Director Ray Brown last year for help. A long process of conversations between Brown and Montana Department of Commerce Outreach Specialist Gus Byrom, who attended Thursday’s meeting, led to collaboration with Robin Spear from WGM Group, a planning and d...
A North Idaho freight company is expanding services in Sanders County to keep up with increased demand. H&H Express is constructing an expansion building in Thompson Falls. Located across from Grocery Surplus on Highway 200 just east of Thompson Falls, H&H Express owner Donald West says the 40-foot by 60-foot freight dock will also aid in handling the influx of shipments he has seen over the last year. "The area is growing so fast and I've seen a lot more freight going in every day," said West....
Offering propane gas delivery and fuel oil services, John's Fuel Farm has opened a location in Thompson Falls. The new site will allow the company to offer services to the entire county, year-round. "We are 100% locally owned and have been in the Mission Valley forever," said Levi Wadsworsh, John's Fuel Farm manager. Plans to open a new fuel farm developed last fall and Wadsworth says deliveries started in Thompson Falls at the end of July 2020. "The expansion of the propane market and changes...
The Foundation for Wildlife Management, a nonprofit organization based in Idaho, will host a Sanders County Chapter Fundraising Banquet on Saturday, July 24, at Sanders County Fairgrounds pavilion. The foundation’s mission is to promote population recovery in areas that have been negatively impacted by wolves. “It’s the first banquet in Sanders County but it’s also the first in Montana,” said Glen Schenavar, Sanders County Chapter Chairperson. “The foundation is here to educate the public on what the negative impact and successful reintroduct...
Wild Coyote Days at the Wild Coyote Saloon in Thompson Falls are back. After COVID-19 canceled last year’s event, owner Karen Ferguson says they are gearing up for an exciting couple of days. “The whole event is pretty popular, but people especially love the lawnmower races,” Ferguson said. “Everyone is pretty stoked to come back.” The fun kicks off Friday, July 30, with steak night, vendors and live music from The Night Life, who will take the stage at 8 p.m. and play until midnight. Due to Stage 2 fire restrictions, there will be no bonfir...
