Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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The Clark Fork Valley Bike Club (CFVBC) invites everyone to pump up those bicycle tires, strap on their helmets and join them for some riding. The posse of cycling enthusiasts, founded by Andrew Ordelheide, Reuben Stratford and Erik Digby, have organized cycling events geared toward getting riders of all skill levels out to enjoy what the area has to offer. "As we rode together we got excited about all the great cycling opportunities in this beautiful valley. We wanted to spread the word to get...
The State of Montana has put a halt on any further Hecla mining operations claiming they are not in compliance with environmental laws. In return, Hecla has filed a lawsuit against the State claiming they have no legal grounds. Originally, Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) awarded Hecla permits allowing them to move forward with their mining claims in western Montana. According to Jenifer Garcin, Public Information Specialist for DEQ, “Hecla permitees met the requirements of the Metal Mine Reclamation Act and MEPA/NEPA, t...
Pat’s Knob, southwest of Plains, decided to put a snafu in local residents receiving Missoula network television signals last week. According to Western Sanders County TV District, a pair of antennas were damaged during inclement weather. Two trips were made by a two-person maintenance team, via snowmobile, to repair one “bent out of shape” antenna that receives the signal from Blacktail Mountain, south of Kalispell. In addition, a second “transmitter antenna aimed towards the Weeksville tower was completely destroyed,” the District reported....
Plains Ranger District is getting a jump start on the recreation season. The six-person crew will begin mid-April clearing low elevation trails and move on up as snow levels allow. Trails that receive attention every year are “important recreation sites for the communities we serve, so we make them our top priority,” stated Mikey Church, Recreation Staff Assistant. “Our priority schedule has three tiers; every year, every other year and once every three to five years.” Priority one trails on schedule for clearing are Baldy Lake Spur, Baldy M...
Call it a redo, call it a new way to keep greenbacks local and customers satisfied. John and Barb Mosher have decided to leave "Subway" behind and convert back to the "Old Mill." After ending a 20-year contract with the national restaurant franchise Subway, the Moshers decided it was time to give a voice to the local customers, who they feel should decide what menu items will be served while having more control over enhancing the local economy. "We will now be able to control our own menu,"...
Within a few seconds of meeting Karen Dwyer, it is easy to determine that she is full of life and certainly embraces adventure. Who would expect anything else from a gal who was born and raised in Montana? The small town of Opportunity, Montana was blessed the day Dwyer was born. She joined a family of five; father, mother, two older brothers and an older sister. She claims being the youngest is "a much better position to be in...most of the time anyway." Dwyer's father was a chemist, proudly...
Historical Heron Store burned to the ground over the weekend. According to former store owner Patty Kardokus, the original building was constructed in 1951 to serve as a dance hall and community meeting area. In the late 1950's the building was converted into a grocery store and purchased by Kardokus and her husband Larry in 1995. The building allowed the Kardokus' to furnish the town with a laundromat, feed store, propane and gas supplies, snack bar and groceries. They lived in the upper level...
As the snow melts and the skunks are out of hibernation (see story, Page 1), robins are making their way north as well....
Spring is here! It is time to trade in the snow boots and start lacing up those hiking boots. Cabinet Ranger District Recreation Forestry Technician Joel Sather is looking forward to a high mileage year clearing trails on the Cabinet District, ensuring access to the beloved Cabinet Mountains. Sather has released the trail crew work plan for this summer. Current work designs, including brush clearing, light tread work, drainage and blowdown removal, call for tending 190 of the total 347 miles of...
Ever wanted to try something new? The Clark Fork Valley Elks Lodge #2757 is hosting its second annual Spring Triathlon: Bowling, Trap Shooting and Golf, for area youth in hopes of introducing a new experience or passion in life. The Elks invites all junior high and high school students (ages 12-18) to take part in the triathlon no matter what their knowledge or skill levels are pertaining to these sports. These three events are available in the local community and are activities that can remain a part of life in years to come. According to...
Cabinet Resource Group (CRG) has a suggestion for those looking to clear their minds and bodies of cabin fever fogginess. They are inviting the public to attend their annual meeting at beautiful Bighorn Lodge. According to CRG member Kathi Slora, the event will include a slideshow of the Cabinet Mountains; a presentation that’s sure to get everyone excited about up and coming summer recreational activities. In addition, the occasion will embrace a social hour, guest speakers and silent auction. Slora stated that a guest speaker will be p...
Removal of the historic Heron bridge began Monday afternoon. The plan is to remove the bridge in sections, with the middle being the first to go. After hours of preparation in securing the bridge, welders were suspended in four corners to free the 120-foot long, 48,000-pound mid-section. The lower four corners were separated first, then welders climbed to the upper corners to free the section entirely. Dick Anderson Construction is handling the bridge removal with Montana Department of...
Stop for just a second and notice your surroundings. Almost everything you see is some form of art; from the clothing design you are sporting to the colors of your surrounding walls, from the design of your furniture to the style of your hair, from the music you sing to the vehicle that transports you. Art is more important than many people realize. Without artists, our lives would be lacking in many ways. Therefore Krystal Murphy, Noxon High School (NHS) art teacher, is supporting aspiring...
With spring in the air, right now might be the best time to hit the gym and get those bodies in shape. Last spring Thompson Falls’ Bear Muscle Fitness implemented a 100-Mile Club encouraging members to follow a long-term path to better overall health through exercise. Now, eight months later, gym owner Jill Fairbank is happy to announce there are a handful of members still on track. The 100-Mile Club encourages exercise by celebrating milestones when certain levels of logged miles are reached. T-shirts are awarded at the 100-mile mark, e...
With all the snow that has been falling, you might be wondering just how we are stacking up to previous years as far as snowpack is concerned. The U.S. Forest Service has personnel tackling that chore. Hydrologists from the Cabinet Ranger District recently released data collected last week from three snow telemetry (SNOTEL) stations located at Chicago Ridge (5900' in elevation), Government Saddle (5300') and Rock Creek Meadows (3400'). As expected, snow depth is looking abundant for this year....
Thompson Falls youth joined Missoula Children's Theatre to put on two shows last Friday featuring Michael McGill's version of Aladdin. The original story was based around the magical genie lamp Aladdin is destined to become owner of. In McGill's version, some things are the same, but there are plenty of differences as well. MCT's printed synopsis of Aladdin reads, "For Aladdin, it's not easy to find a magic lamp but it's even harder to get a date! It's a swirling sandstorm of famous Arabian...
Every year Sanders County 4-H members spend hours preparing to give a public speech on any topic they chose. Throughout last week and weekend round one of Communication Days took place; 90 youth took front stage to present their topics to judges. Members can choose to present on any subject matter they wish. This year's topics ranged from learning the parts of a small engine to learning how to make a balloon bowl. Whitepine Happy Worker Savana Wilson showed up touting her Ragdoll cat, Cotton Can...
Noxon eighth grader Jaedyn Murray will be competing at the State Geography Bee competition this year. After finishing first in the Noxon School competition, Murray continued to progress earning herself a spot amongst other state level competitors. She will compete on April 6 in Bozeman. If successful, she will move forward to the national level. Sponsored by National Geographic, the National Geography Bee takes place beginning May 20....
For more than 45 years Missoula Children's Theatre (MCT) has been doing an incredible job of enhancing children's lives through the art of theatre. As they travel throughout the state, Sanders County is fortunate enough to be one of their destinations. Thompson Falls Elementary secretary Diane Hedahl and kindergarten teacher, and coordinator for the Falls MCT event, Amy Laws, could not quite place an exact count on the number of years MCT has performed at the school. But after lots of thinking,...
U.S. postal customers along portions of Blue Slide Road, between Thompson Falls and Trout Creek, have expressed concern that their mail service may be in for a change, relocating some Thompson Falls residences to Trout Creek postal jurisdiction. Exact details of the modification are unknown. Likewise, so is the source where this information was generated. One main concern for these individuals, is that they will have an address change. This means getting new driver’s licenses and other forms of identification where addresses are used. The e...
Society has changed our perspective and relationship with food. Convenience sometimes makes our dietary decisions for us as we continue to thrive in this fast-paced world. "Growing the practice of home baking" is the mission statement of the Home Baking Association, who has designated February as "Bake for Family Fun Month." With only a few days of February left, let's all try to squeeze in at least one more "from scratch" dinner - just for fun, and to fulfill that craving for downhome cookin'....
Thirty years ago, during the 1988 Summer Olympic Games, Plains resident Erich Buljung earned a silver medal in air pistol marksmanship. As the Winter Olympics are in full swing, he seemed a perfect fit for a "Getting to know you" story. When I arrived to interview Buljung at his business, the Dew Duck Inn, I was in for a surprise. Let's just say he is the most modest person I have ever met. I mean that to the deepest extent - "ever" met. Before I even asked a question, I was greeted by Buljung...
Trout Creek School is facing a budget problem. As things currently stand, there is no guarantee the school doors will open for students next fall. State Rep. Bob Brown accepted an invitation to discuss the legislative budget at Trout Creek School's last board meeting on Feb.6. For more than two hours he answered questions addressed by an audience of 22 members. The school's concerns are real, and according to Trout Creek Board Chairman Mike Linderman, he is afraid for the school's future. "Ever...
The entire globe is feeling the effects of China’s ban on importing the world’s recyclable plastics, which commenced the first of the year. The trickle effect is unfortunately being felt at each level as it passes down from worldwide to nationwide, to statewide, and finally reaching us on a countywide scale. And so it goes, Sanders County Solid Waste is no longer accepting plastics for recycling. Following Sanders County recycled plastics to the market is quite simple. Plastics start at the disposal center and are marked as recyclable. Lik...
UNICORN – This cow elk poses proudly for all to see her single "antler." Cows growing antlers is not completely unheard of, although uncommon. Different biologists claim this anomaly may be caused by hormonal imbalances, trauma or evolution....
