Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Three businesses in Sanders County have received grant funding, which was awarded by the Montana Agriculture Adaptability Program (MTAAP). Governor Steve Bullock and the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA), announced on June 26 in a press release from the governor’s office that over $1 million in grant funding was received by over 100 businesses in Montana. According to the press release, the grants are devised to administer relief to small and medium-sized food and agriculture businesses in response to the COVID-19 crisis. ...
As the weather hit 90 this last week, I found myself walking out to the chicken coop more than usual to check on the girls. A general rule in the chicken keeping community, is that hot weather is harder on a flock than cold weather is. Heat stroke for chickens in a real thing, and I’m grateful to say I haven’t lost a chicken to this so far in my homesteading venture. It’s not the easiest part of the job, tending to your flock of ladies on a hot, sunny day. However, when I see my chickens panting, I make sure to do everything in my power to co...
We are in the midst of fireworks season and counting down the days to the Fourth of July. While many firework shows have been cancelled due to COVID-19, many families will opt to stay home during this time. For dog owners, this time of the year may bring on more stress than usual for their canine companions. Keeping pet’s anxiety to a minimum is a real priority during this holiday. There are a few tips to help make life a little easier for your pets once the fireworks start. Never use fireworks around your pets. “While exposure to lit fir...
Recent research done by the American Automobile Association (AAA) Foundation for Traffic Safety has found that drivers who have been in at least one car crash in the past two years are significantly more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as speeding or texting. After three months of staying home and off the roads, AAA released a statement urging drivers to keep everyone safe on the roads and warns motorists against falling back into their dangerous driving habits. “The frequency of drivers in the United States engaging in improper b...
In hopes of encouraging children to keep reading through the summer, the Thompson Falls Public Library has announced their 2020 summer reading program. Library Director Lynne Kersten sent a letter to parents and guardians outlining the details of the program. During June and July, kids who sign up and meet their reading goals can enter raffles to win prizes. “We try to make this as easy as possible for the kids,” Kersten said. “The goal is something they set with themselves. Every week that they make their goal, they get to fill out a raffl...
On June 1, the 14-day travel quarantine was lifted. As Montana cautiously enters Phase Two of reopening, the state’s travel and hospitality industries are bracing themselves for the unpredictable summer that lies ahead. “The bookings are lower for this time of year, but now that Montana is opening back up, we are getting busier,” Mollie Heape, owner of the Riverfront Motel in Thompson Falls, said about the effects that COVID-19 has had on her business. Heape did note the Riverfront is seeing reservations come in not only from Montana, but f...
This year’s first official day of summer will fall on June 20. Summer solstice, also called June solstice or midsummer, is the point in time when the Earth’s orbit arrives at a point where the North Pole is at its maximum tilt towards the sun. Making this day the longest day and the shortest night of the year. When the northern hemisphere is experiencing the start of summer, it’s the exact opposite for the southern hemisphere. This day is when the sun is at its lowest point in the sky for the southern part of the globe, signaling the start...
Only two years have passed since I've started this journey into the homesteading world. I remember thinking to myself, this will be fun, this will be a wonderful experience. While I was correct on both of those assumptions, there have been more times than I can count, or care to admit to, where I had no idea what I was doing. I read book after book, and spent late nights that turned into early mornings reading various blog posts about gardening, raising chickens and keeping fruit trees alive. I also received copious amounts of input from...
As the CARES Act was introduced by Congress to help provide financial aid during the early weeks of the pandemic, many small businesses continue to struggle due to the impacts of COVID-19. A bipartisan bill introduced by Montana Senator Steve Daines and Democratic Senator Corey Booker is tailored towards providing relief for small and rural businesses in Montana. The Small Business Relief Fund was created in order to provide economic relief for business with fewer than 20 workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We need more targeted action t...
A group of Plains teenagers stood up for their beliefs Monday as they lined Railroad Avenue in an effort to raise awareness of injustice. Protests have been held across the country after George Floyd died in the custody of Minneapolis police officers last week. While some protests have been marred with rioting and looting, the Plains teens said they were there to make a peaceful statement. The group, who formed during early morning in downtown Plains on Monday, say they received some support,...
Many retail businesses are requiring their customers to wear a face mask upon entering. Whether it’s required or you are choosing to wear a face mask to help stop the spread of COVID-19, common issues have risen due to the possibility of cross contamination, as well as the effectiveness of the face mask itself. There are several guidelines which have been issued by the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) to help maximize the protection your homemade face mask brings you. Avoiding common laundry mistakes and keeping your face mask clean i...
Noxon celebrated their 2020 graduating seniors with a town-wide parade following the ceremony on Sunday. The graduation parade, which was organized by parents of the students, was led through the community by a fire truck. As parents, family and friends gathered around town to cheer on the class of 2020, the 20 graduates assembled in decorated cars and rallied through Noxon, celebrating their Red Devil pride one last time. The parents elected to celebrate the class of 2020 in a unique way,...
May 17 marked the beginning of the 73rd session of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Health Assembly, which took place in Geneva, Switzerland. This year’s meeting was the first-ever to be held virtually. In a news release issued by the WHO, “delegates in attendance adopted a landmark resolution to bring the world together to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.” One hundred thirty countries sponsored the resolution that was adopted by consensus. The resolution, which is being referred to as the “roadmap for controlling the outbreak,...
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic; Thompson River Animal Shelter (TRACS), has been steady with adoptions. As the state starts to slowly re-open and people continue to social distance on their outings; TRACS has implemented several strategies to keep everyone safe. As shelters around the country saw an increase of adoptions and fostering during the shelter-in-place order, TRACS continued with business as usual, steady as ever. Wanda Thorpe, Operations and Financial Manager of TRACS, has said the shelter is still achieving their highly successful...
After an order from Gov. Bullock, flags all around Montana were displayed at half-staff to honor the coronavirus victims over the weekend. Out of respect for the victims and families who have succumbed to the coronavirus pandemic, on Friday, the governor ordered all flags in Montana to be lowered to half-staff until sunset on Sunday. "Together, we mourn every life that has been claimed by the novel Coronavirus in Montana and around the nation," Bullock said in a proclamation last Friday. "My hea...
The Old Jail Museum in Thompson Falls, is set to open this coming Saturday. The museum will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of the ending of the second World War. Honoring that anniversary will be the museum's main attraction for the coming season. "This year we will be honoring all veterans, active military and their families," said Vonn Briggs, the museum's director. Upon entering the museum, visitors will be greeted by a statue of Rosie the Riveter, the museum's token civilian. In the...
Health officials continue to urge Americans to avoid all non-essential domestic travel to help slow of the spread of the coronavirus. As Gov. Steve Bullock outlines a plan to slowly reopen the state, much of which is already in effect, the 14-day self-quarantine for all out-of-state travel remains in place. The directive, which applies to both residents and nonresidents, allows for the exemption of travelers coming and leaving the state for work related purposes. As the weather gets warmer and we see summer on the horizon, many people who have...
It was almost 40 years ago that the Northwest was in the midst of a different kind of crisis. On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted in Skamania County, Washington, resulting in the deadliest and most economically destructive volcanic event in U.S. history. The eruption killed 57 people and decimated buildings and vegetation within a 230 square mile radius. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the glowing cloud of super-heated gas and rock debris that shot out of the...
An angel has earned her wings. At the age of 6, Harlee Joanne Salmi of Hot Springs passed away on Wednesday, May 6, after battling cancer. "At 12:20 p.m. today Harlee flew off to heaven! She fought until the end but was surrounding by her family and deeply loved," Harlee's mother Taylor wrote on the Facebook page Hope for Harlee. "Our hearts are shattered but we know she is running and playing again!" Harlee was born on May 2, 2014, to Matt and Taylor Salmi. At the age of 5, she was diagnosed...
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....
The Thompson Falls Ambulance Service has received funding to help pay for personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 outbreak. Tim Cox, treasurer of the Thompson Falls Ambulance Service (TFAS), applied for funding through the Gary Sinise Foundation. The First Responders Outreach Grant was created to honor all first responders and to help aid in funding for essential equipment and training. During this time, the foundation is offering to help first responders pay for items that are needed...
The Thompson Falls Ambulance Service is looking for volunteers. They are in need of EMTs and drivers. An EMT class is planned for later this fall. According to Tim Cox, Treasurer of the Thompson Falls Ambulance Service, to become a member, an individual has to meet certain qualifications such as age (18 for EMT and 21 for driver) and must have a valid Montana driver license. They must also pass a background check, get a TB test (for Tuberculosis) and have a valid CPR card. Thompson Falls Ambulance will teach the CPR class, if a person hasn’t a...
by Miriah Kardelis The town of Hot Springs gathered on Saturday morning to celebrate the birthday of one of the town's local gems, Harlee Salmi. At just five years old, Harlee was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. The county rallied together and held numerous fundraisers to help the family with traveling and medical expenses. In the time of social distancing, the people of Hot Springs found a creative approach to still adhere to the rules, while celebrating Harlee's sixth birthday; a...
The weekend was full of celebrations. A drive by parade to celebrate one 10-year old's birthday was made a success with the help of the Thompson Falls community. Brooke Flemmer, who turned 10 this last weekend, wanted nothing more to throw a birthday party so she could spend the day with her family and friends. Unfortunately, due to social distancing rules, a birthday party couldn't happen this year. Due to Brooke's special needs and compromised immune system, her mother, Colleen Knutson, along...
As the spread of the coronavirus moves through the country and neighboring communities, people have been taking extra precautions to help keep themselves and their loved ones safe. Avoiding crowded places, washing our hands for the recommended 20 seconds, and thoroughly sanitizing surfaces are all steps we are taking to help slow and prevent the virus from entering our homes. However, there is another step to incorporate in our new cleaning habits, and that is learning how to wash and clean our clothes. Can the virus live on clothing? If so,...
