Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
Sorted by date Results 176 - 200 of 382
} rightFrontDrive.setPower(-1);. No, The Ledger did not make a mistake. This computer programming, called "coding," would make sense if you were a robot, or member of Thompson Falls' robotics club lead by Falls High School science teacher and robotics coach Eric Nygaard. "Collectively, this is the best we've done in our five years competing," Nygaard proudly said of his robotics team, who placed second in Helena earlier this year and earned thirteenth out of 33 competitors late last month at...
Longevity matters, and Sanders County employees were honored for their time in service last week. Employees were recognized for creating "a great place to work, where we want to stay and have a good time while we are here," County Commissioner Tony Cox said while giving a sincere thank you to each employee for serving the public. Shirley Kinkade with the Sanders County Extension Office topped out the honorees with 25 years of serving the county. Her supervisor, Juli Thurston, presented Kinkade...
Tattoo artist Jesse Kane is excited to bring the first licensed, professional tattoo parlor Sanders County has ever seen. Opening for business just last week, Kane has a few scheduled appointments and is hoping to share more of his artistic ability. Kane is Till Valhalla Tattoo Company's sole tattoo professional and brings more than 15 years of experience with him. He is a native of Great Falls, where he worked at Bill's Tattoo and More, but has most recently lived in Lansing, Michigan, where...
Montana Behavioral Initiative (MBI) Youth Ambassadors at Noxon have taken a proactive approach to making positive changes at school. Under direction of Dana Grupenhoff, a business teacher and woman who wears many hats at the school, the ambassadors have directed a "positive activity every six weeks or so this year," according to Grupenhoff. "Our school was lacking a little in spirit and we were passionate about making a change," junior Brittany Hagen said sharing as the main reason the...
It has been over a two-year battle of valor, and Noxon's Danni Rae Hill has remained strong and persevered. She is a 6-year-old that has just received her last round of chemotherapy in efforts to kick Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), a cancer of the blood. On January 6 Hill crossed the finish line; the last dose of chemo was administered. For the next year she will have her blood drawn monthly to be sure she is in remission. If all is clear for five years, she will officially be diagnosed as...
There's nothing like the great outdoors. During these short, dark, dreary winter days, nothing brings a body to life more than the feeling of cool, crisp air tingling cheeks, noses, fingers and toes. The deep snow and balmy 25-degree weather did not stop Noxon or Thompson Falls schools' 46 junior high students from participating in the annual Winter Tracks program, sponsored by Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness (FSPW) last Thursday. In fact, it appears that these conditions are beneficial...
“Things are looking up for us,” said Abby Harnett, Executive Director for Western Montana Mental Health Center (WMMHC). Not long ago, WMMHC had financial worries, but with a lot of creativity and hard work, Harnett is elated to announce two new programs the center will provide to the community. A substance abuse program and peer support services will be implemented by WMMHC as soon as the new employment positions are filled. WMMHC has successfully applied to the State of Montana for licensure to provide substance abuse treatment for both adu...
It appears that Mother Nature is taking it easy on us this winter. After last winter’s abundant, record-setting snowfall, this year has seemed tranquil. This is only true for some areas, according to the National Resource and Conservation Service’s (NRCS) most recent data findings. Surprisingly, early snowfall has been normal in regions along the Continental Divide in western and south-central Montana, according to NRCS Hydrologist Lucas Zukiewicz. “What’s been unique about this winter so far is that the snowpack in these regions would be belo...
Pajamas, PJs, jammas or jammies...stripes, solids, flannels, fleece, silk, cotton, nightgown, long sleeves, short sleeves, pants or shorts, footed set or a union suit? The options are endless and Noxon's National Honor Society (NHS) has honored the late Kathy Fitchett by continuing the Pajama Drive she began years ago. Under the direction of Lucas MacArthur, NHS members "put their heads together to come up with a special community service project," MacArthur shared, adding that the society...
Wolves are a hot topic in Sanders County. Despite the conflict they have caused between sportsmen, naturalists and wildlife managers in the area, on January 20, Canis lupus will be honored with the rise of a full moon – a Full Wolf Moon. January’s full moon is the Full Wolf Moon and will host a visible lunar eclipse as well, making the 2019 moon doubly spectacular. The event will begin at 7:36 p.m. on January 20 (with maximum totality at 10:12 p.m.) and will continue until 12:48 p.m. on January 21, according to timeanddate.com. According to...
Lorie Adams did not exactly have a good start to 2019. Unfortunately, on Jan. 1, due to an electrical outlet problem according to a Heron fire volunteer, her house caught fire and it was a complete loss. She also lost her vehicle in the blaze. Heron’s Wednesday Women have come together and will provide a spaghetti dinner benefit to help Adams rebuild. On Saturday, Jan. 19 from 5 to 7 p.m., they will serve spaghetti, salad, French bread and cake at the Heron Community Center. President of the club Caryene Bledsoe stated they are asking a fee o...
Sanders County was well represented in Helena last Friday as 18 county residents, out of roughly 2,000 total Montanans, showed support for preserving the heritage of Montana's 30 million acres of public lands at the state capitol in Helena. The Public Lands Rally supporters showcased signs throughout the capitol rotunda that reinforced "These Lands are Our Heritage," a message resonated loud and clear through efforts made by Montana Wilderness Association (MWA), Backcountry Hunters and Anglers,...
Monday evening more than 80 residents of Thompson Falls joined the city board in an informational meeting about the proposed first two phases of the city's wastewater system improvement project. Environmental and financial impacts as well as planned project implementation were discussed at length. In fashion with most topics that require action and financial commitment, strong arguments were made for both sides of the project. Shawn Sorenson, Sanders County Sanitarian, opened the meeting...
“It is all around us,” Sanders County Health Director Karen Morey said referencing the influenza virus. Sanders County has only had one confirmed case of Influenza A this season, and so far, seems to be unaffected by the virus even though adjacent counties have seen a stronger presence. According to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Sanders County is not an influenza “hot spot” yet. But they have seen an elevation of cases in Missoula, Glacier, Ravalli and Powell counties, and as we all know, the virus can spr...
Remember the year 1999, when the world was going to end at the stroke of midnight? Sarah Naegeli told a story recalling how her, Sharon Pound and Kris Anderson figured that if the world was going to end, they might as well have a fun run to go along with it. Now, 20 years later, the annual Thompson Falls New Year's Day Fun Run is still going strong. "Who would have thought we would still be going when this all started?" Naegeli questioned. "It's been fun!" There has been a decline in racers in...
Planted, uprooted and replanted... it's a good analogy for what has transpired between Plains resident Jo Ellen Morris and new-found brother Rodney Dillon, a native Australian. It all started roughly 75 years ago when Morris's father, Roy Holt, Sr., served in the Navy. In February of 1945, Holt was one of many who sailed the U.S. Muster Rolls to Brisbane, Australia. Interestingly, it was here where Dillon was born, nine months after the U.S. Muster Rolls docked. "My sister Anne died in a car...
Back and forth, divided by two sides, like a game of ping pong, Mark French has seen his accusation, trial and dismissal of night-time speeding go. According to French, he has recently received notice that District Court Judge Robert Deschamps has dismissed his heavily-fought speeding ticket through the Sanders County Attorney’s office. It was not a simple process according to French, who took his case all the way to the Supreme Court. The beginning was in March 2016, when French was cited for speeding. According to French he was wrongfully a...
After being found guilty at both the Justice and District level courts, Plains resident Mark French has taken a speeding ticket straight to the Supreme Court of the State of Montana and they have agreed with one of his three arguments. French will receive a second trial at the District Court level. French was successful in arguing that the prosecutor's comment to the District Court jury that he had already been convicted of the speeding charge in Justice Court was "'inappropriate' and...
After 12 years of providing Noxon's youth with free entertainment and a hangout headquarters, Diane Marich is closing the Lighthouse Center with a heavy heart. "The kids have changed, and they just do not need it or want it anymore," Marich said with sadness. "I loved it and I am very grateful for those who supported it and let me be part of their kids' lives," but it is time for the center to become something else. Although she has not heard of any future ideas for the building, Marich is...
"It is not ours, we are just stewards of it. We want others to enjoy it," commented Randy McMillian, owner of The Lodge at Trout Creek. Having been in the hospitality business for 14 years, McMillian and his wife Julie decided it was time to spread their wings to Trout Creek from Glacier National Park, where they are owners of another inn. They purchased The Lodge at Trout Creek in May 2017 and have hoped to create a fine experience for a relaxation or romantic getaway. They have certainly...
As the temperature drops, we look toward electric blankets, space heaters and wood stoves for warmth. In addition, the holiday season encourages us to do more holiday baking and decorate our homes with more hazardous items such as trees with lights. It is no wonder why more residential fires occur in winter than any other season. According to the Red Cross, residential fires are most common in the months of December and January. It is also reported that more than half of all house fires start in the kitchen. By simply keeping an eye on the...
JAMIE MCKENZIE, Trout Creek – “Naughty! We won’t say why…he knows.” COREY AUMILLER, Trout Creek – “Naughty. That’s how I roll.” ANTHONY PIKE, Missoula – “I would honestly say this year I have been nice. Wanna call my mom and ask?” CARLEEN PFEIFFER, Noxon – “Well, if Corey’s (Aumiller) been naughty…I have been naughtier.” STEWART MARSHALL, Trout Creek – “Nice. I am just a nice kind of guy. You can even ask my better half.” DEBBIE TRAVER, Whitepine – “He is cute, but I don’t do Santa, so this question won’t work for me....
The holiday season is always full of excitement and sometimes we feel money is necessary to have a jolly, magical Christmas. For those on a budget, this is a heavy burden. Rest assured, there are many ways to have a merry Christmas without spending a fortune. It is important to remember that the point of the holiday is not the commercial experience we have been trained to accept as truth. The holiday has always been celebrated by gifting those we hold dear to our hearts, but do we need to spend money on those we love to show our affection? If...
Celebrate the reason for the season with local churches, who will be celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. They all open their doors to congregation members and visitors alike. Hot Springs Father Jeffrey Benusa will hold Mass at 11 a.m., Christmas Day at Sacred Heart Mission, 220 Arlee St. S. Plains First Lutheran Church of Plains, presided by Pastor Seilhymer, 601 South 5th Ave., will hold a candlelight service at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve. December 30 the church will host a Lessons and Carols service at 9 a.m. Plains Alliance Church, 505 5th...
"Bingo!" was shouted repeatedly in Trout Creek last Saturday afternoon when Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA) hosted the community Bingo event at the Lakeside Resort. For only a quarter a game, people tried their luck at winning one of 10 turkey baskets filled with all the fixings for a full meal. There were also dessert plates and individual turkeys given away as prizes to those fortunate enough to call out "Bingo!" after Sandy Green called numbers. TCCIA's Elizabeth Stender...
