Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Sanders County fifth and sixth-grade students took part in the 17th annual Water Festival recently. The festival is sponsored by Eastern Sanders and Green Mountain Conservation Districts. Outside of the Conservation Districts, many supporters come forward to collaborate in providing fun educational opportunities for students to gain knowledge about water and the important role it plays in our lives. Doug Padden, Thompson Falls Junior High science teacher, has played a critical role in the...
Sanders County Public Health invites the public to take part in Walk with Ease, a self-directed program aimed to increase overall wellness. The program is six weeks long and is constructed to benefit beginners or experienced walkers of all fitness levels. The exercise program began over a year ago and has been implemented five times during that time. According to co-organizer Sandra Gubel, during each event, there was an average of 15 to 18 participants. “We started with just about 14 county employees the first couple of times,” she sta...
by Shana Neesvig "There's no easy fix," commented Bob Vosen, Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), in reference to the $9.2 million Highway 200 bridge construction project scheduled to take place just northwest of Trout Creek during late spring and summer of 2020. Vosen made that statement more than once during the informational open house held last Thursday afternoon in Trout Creek. During the forum, MDT was joined by hired bridge construction company Kiewit, bridge designer and...
A duo of seniors at Thompson Falls High School took it upon themselves to organize a team-building event for students and staff at the school last week. Together, Brad Lantz and Kelsey Frank found a way to join the school, Seeds Training, National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) and Gaining Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) in providing a two-day seminar encouraging leadership and bonding between students and staff. Lantz and Frank are no rooki...
The United States Antimony Corporation (USAC) in Thompson Falls has received a grant from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) of the Department of Defense (DOD) in the amount of $510,528 to develop a new domestic source of antimony trisulfide as an alternative to the majority historically supplied by the People’s Republic of China. USAC began processing six batches (just over 1,102 pounds per batch) of antimony trisulfide on September 13 and will continue the project until September, 2020. The sample batches will be tested for quality a...
The days of gimping vehicles along are over for the Hot Springs Police Department who will soon be owners of two new four-wheel-drive Ford F-150 pickup trucks. As part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development investment, Hot Springs is receiving a loan of $14,500 and a $56,200 grant to procure the vehicles and necessary equipment. Eric Pfleger, Hot Springs Police Chief, stated the trucks “will allow Hot Springs Police Department to provide an increased ability to respond to calls for service and safely negotiate our often di...
LAINEY ERWIN, Trout Creek – “Playing outside. I play digging a hole because you have to dig a hole to the guys and protect yourself from the dragons.” KOLTON HOLDEN, Trout Creek – “Recess. I like to play, and that’s it.” ZOEY HAVENS, Trout Creek - “I think playing recess outside. I like to play library outside. I like to read Pete the Cat.” LOUIS HANNUM, Trout Creek – “Recess and playing soccer and math. I like bongo drums. I got to play it.” KENNEDY BROWN, Trout Creek – “Technology because I like how you get to use computers and typing. It’s...
The lost art of old-fashioned donut making is alive and flourishing in Thompson Falls as Papa's Donuts opened its doors recently. For more than two decades Doug Miller has been planning his donut making business. "Now is our chance, so I took it," Miller said. "After 27 years of truck driving, I ate donuts across the entire United States," Miller admitted. "I wanted to make a good donut, so I learned the old-fashioned way." Receiving tutorials from a friend who made donuts for more than 35 years...
As the 2018-2019 4-H year closes, so does the 26-year career of Shirley Kinkade, who served as administrative assistant at the Sanders County Extension Office. Parents of current 4-H youth members Joanne Burk and Carrie Guenzler began the honors when they announced they recall Kinkade being a crucial role in the 4-H program when they were young members. They applauded her for her years of dedication to the program and expressed gratitude. "It doesn't happen without the joint efforts of...
The smell of burnt rubber and exhaust on Labor Day weekend in Plains, Montana, means only one thing... it must be Demolition Derby night at the fairgrounds. The main attraction had four entrants from Thompson Falls. David Hall was the driver of a 1967 Ford Fairlane sporting number 76; Robert Hall drove car number 188, a 1971 Buick Regal; Nate Clearmont put on a show with his 1974 Chevy Monte Carlo with the well-known and celebrated 406 number; and James Cork outfitted himself with a 1980 Chevy...
Plans have evolved for the former Masonic Lodge building in Thompson Falls to convert into a school. Facture Academy, an affiliate of Acton Academy based out of Austin, Texas, will begin classes for first through eighth grades this fall. Shannon Doherty of Facture Academy has scheduled an informational open house for September 3 at 6 p.m. at 214 N. Columbia Street in Thompson Falls, the new school's location. "School will start as planned on September 4 and enrollment will be open throughout...
First impressions can make or break someone. It appears Noxon students' first impression of their new superintendent was a good one... maybe even one for the books. Wednesday marked the first day of school for Noxon's 2019-2020 school year, and it was a warm one; temperatures reached near 100 degrees. Thankfully, Noxon School Superintendent Jonathan Martin arranged for NWBounce of Post Falls, Idaho, to deliver four large inflatable water slides to the school to start off the new year. "We're...
Historical buildings are reminders of a community's beginning and cultural base. After 89 years, residents of Lonepine still utilize the Lonepine Community Hall for what it was constructed for. "The Articles of Incorporation listed one of the purposes of the Lonepine Community Hall as a public gathering place for the community of Lonepine and the whole of Sanders County," commented club member Cynthia Benson. The Hall continues to come alive with social entertainment in the form of dances,...
Sometimes it is hard to remember the things that matter in life. Sometimes we get caught up in who did the best at something, or who came out on top. When running a race, it is easy to base success on placement or time. This year's Huckleberry Festival Fun Run had a participant who is clearly a hero above all others. Amber Riel of Florence, Montana, did not finish first. She did not finish second, third, fourth or fifth. But she did indeed finish. And considering her circumstances, finishing a...
Wasting no time in candidacy campaigning for the 2021 to 2023 legislative term, Paul C. Fielder has recently filed with the State of Montana making it official that he will be running for House of Representative in District 13. Filing with the state is a legality so that Fielder is now able to accept campaign donations and provides what he calls a "courtesy" to the public to foresee who will be in the running for legislature in the upcoming election. Explaining that Fielder's father's name was...
by Shana Neesvig When it comes to finding a good teacher, some argue the higher the level of education, the better the educator. Trout Creek School Superintendent and Principal Debbie Phillips is pleased to announce that 87.5% of her teaching staff has received, or is just about to complete, a master's degree in education programs. "That means that 7 of our 8 school educators have master's degrees," Phillips commented about her teachers, counselor and support staff. She was exuding confidence...
"They work tirelessly, they investigate and figure out what is the best interest for the child," said Sanders County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) founder Polly Cavill. She was referencing the advocates who volunteer their time providing services in finding the best fit for children who have been legally removed from their parents because they are victims of abuse or neglect. The important work of CASA can only continue through grants received at the federal and state levels as well...
Just because blues music originated in the south doesn't mean northerners don't know how to jam. This last weekend Noxon provided grounds for the tenth Big Sky Blues Festival held at Pilgrim Park along the majestic Clark Fork River. The festival kicked off on Friday and closed on Sunday featuring many of the best in the land of blues music. Opening was Robin Barrett featuring Tiphony Dames, Coyote Kings special guest Diego Romero and Crocs with special guest Richard Sabo. Randy McAllister,...
The three C's in life; community, camaraderie and...CHICKEN! Put them together and you have the annual Chicken Jamboree. For 29 years the Thompson Falls Christian Men's Prayer Breakfast Group, led by Don Burrell, has hosted the Chicken Jamboree at Power Park in Thompson Falls. Throughout the years, the event has continuously gained popularity. This year, over 450 pounds of chicken legs, wings and breasts were grilled over the coals manned by Burrell and Bob Butte. "I am hoping to get the...
Trout Creek was graced by the presence of more than a couple dozen classic cars Saturday when Cool Summer Nights Car Show took on its 15th season showcasing some of the finest automotive selections in the area. Just as the name implies, it was a cool Saturday morning with the temperature gauge at the 43-degree mark. Plains resident Gary McGraw transported his 1931 Ford Roadster Pickup 60 miles north on Highway 200 to Trout Creek. He claimed, "It was a little nippy coming up." He stated that the...
There was no lack of entertainment along Main Street in Thompson Falls Saturday afternoon. Rose Park was bustling with informational and vendor booths at Summer Splash, a summer celebration series. A highlight for the youngsters, and adults alike, was the ever-fun dunk tank. Softball player Lila Adams, who has quite the arm for an 8-year-old, tossed the ball at the target with hopes of dunking elementary school teacher Cory Kump. Although she hit the target straight on, she just didn't have the...
MHP reported a fatal motorcycle accident occurring Friday night around 9:45 p.m. on Prospect Creek Road. A 67-year-old man from Wallace, Idaho, was riding his motorcycle southbound when a deer entered the roadway causing the collision. The motorcycle struck the deer and then overturned, according to reports. Clark Fork Valley Hospital tended to the victim, who died shortly after from injuries sustained in the crash. Alcohol and drugs are suspected to have been involved in the incident, according to MHP. The investigation is ongoing, and...
Noxon School District has appointed a new member to their administration. For just over one week, Jonathan Martin has sat at the desk assigned to Noxon's superintendent. "I am really excited to meet everyone, especially the kids, and get to work," exclaimed an enthusiastic Martin, who has had very little time to settle into the new position after relocating from the Montana Hi-Line town of Chinook. In addition to signing on to his first superintendent position, Martin chose Noxon to be closer...
The average cost of a new rifle...about $800. The average cost of a box of ammunition...about $25. The average cost of keeping it original...priceless. Priceless is not what Noxon Rod and Gun Club members are up against. They are in a situation where the original club house, a Noxon School District classroom building purchased in 1961 along with 17 acres on Pilgrim Creek, is in dire need of repairs totaling $8,000. Problem is, they do not have the funds to pay for them. The 23-foot by 90-foot...
Sanders County is committed to tackling the blueweed problem that appears to be gaining momentum. According to Judson Shively, Sanders County Weed Department Supervisor, the county had recently teamed up with Lincoln, Missoula and Ravalli counties in forming the Blueweed Task Force. They spent four days removing the noxious weed from various areas throughout the county. "We're spraying county roads and state highways, gravel pits, shop yards and pull outs" Shively said addressing what the...
