Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
Sorted by date Results 101 - 125 of 279
Students and their families at Thompson Falls Elementary had an evening of STEAM activities Tuesday. Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math is the combined learning. "It guides students' imaginations and inquiry. It opens up discussions and problem solving that goes beyond the development of practical skills," according to the STEAM fields education website. A variety of activities were set up at stations throughout the elementary school last Tuesday. There was also a Math scavenger...
When Noxon and Hot Springs schools experienced the loss of three young citizens who died by suicide last fall, the communities scrambled to deal with the grief as best they could. Two male teens in Noxon passed away within months of each other and one male teen in Hot Springs. Before anyone could ask the question why, the first response was to take care of those who were the most affected by that loss. According to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, suicide rates among youth ages 11 to 17 in Montana were double the...
JACK ELLIS, Thompson Falls - “My wife and I are thinking about it but not quite ready.” JAN HENRY, Thompson Falls - “I’ve been in the middle of spring cleaning for five years.” FERN WARFALMANN, Plains - “My daughter-in-law started my spring cleaning already.” TERESA MEAGHER, Trout Creek - “No, I haven’t started my spring cleaning. Not sure when I will get to it. Hopefully when things calm down.” TRACY KNIGHT, Trout Creek - “As soon as it is sunny enough outside I clean top to bottom with the windows open.” NICK SUMMAR, Thompson Falls - “I am...
Sydnee Wilson from Whitepine was crowned Hereford Queen by the Montana Hereford Board in December. Wilson filled out an application on what she could bring to Montana regarding the here-ford breed of cattle. "My family has been very into the breed since 1960. Dad and Grandpa have been involved in the board and Grandpa was president of the Montana Hereford Board at one time," Wilson said. She added that her grandfather, the late Jimme L. Wilson from Trout Creek, was also president of the...
Dr. Connor Gillig moved from Michigan to Thompson Falls in January to be the new physical therapist at Thompson Falls Rehabilitation. This clinic falls under the umbrella of service along with the Thompson Falls Family Medicine and the Clark Fork Valley Hospital (CFVH) in Plains, Gillig said. "The job made it possible for me to move to Montana. I have wanted to move here to be near the mountains," Gillig said. He studied Liberal Arts at Notre Dame in Indiana and received his doctorate in...
MICKEY CARR, Trout Creek - “We get our taxes done by the first of March before my hubby leaves for work in South Carolina.” TYLER WILLIAMS, Trout Creek - “I like to do my taxes early.” NICOLE THOMPSON, Trout Creek - “It depends on if I am getting a refund or not, but usually early.” MEGAN MELLOTT, Trout Creek - “In March, after we make sure we have our ducks in a row.” CRYSTAL SPENCER, Libby - “We usually have them ready by the first or second week in February.” JESSE HAAGENSON, Trout Creek - “Generally have them done right around March....
Thompson River Animal Care Shelter (TRACS) is looking for people who are interested in fostering a dog or cat, including certain puppies or kittens. "Primarily this would be health reasons for the very young and emotional and physical reasons for the older animals," said Lynette Thorpe, TRACS Adoption manager and foster program coordinator. This could include special needs animals, such as a dog with a missing leg, Thorpe said. It could also include pregnant dogs or cats, those with puppies or...
Jeff Wollaston was born September 27, 1942, in Valley City, North Dakota. His mother was a high school English teacher. They moved to Thompson Falls in 1947. He left home in 1960 to attend college in Missoula and Great Falls. In 1964 he went to graduate school in Wisconsin to be near his biological father. Then in 1966 Wollaston joined the Marine Corp and went to officer candidate school in Quantico, Virginia. Until August of 1969 Jeff was stationed at El Toro, California. There he was a...
Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains is one of the first hospitals in Montana to have a state of the art Olympus diagnostic screening machine. This machine is used for endoscopies in upper gastrointestinal (GI) screenings and colonoscopies. The colon can be seen from a camera on the tube that can turn nearly 360 degrees. This is more viewing range than older models, according to Lisa Eberhardt, Chief Nursing Officer at CFVH.. “The doctor can see light source variations in different tissues and c...
The Hot Springs School District is facing budgeting issues with cuts in staff and activities looming. Hot Springs Schools Superintendent Gerald Chouinard said discussions have been in progress for the last four weeks with the Hot Springs Education Association. The committee has reviewed the district's finances to address the budget projected for the 24-25 school year. "The cuts will total over $300,000," Chouinard said. The factors that are key to possibly regaining the budget will be the final student count and the May levy outcome, which...
The 9th annual Trout Creek Cabin Fever Redneck Ball took place on Saturday at the Lakeside Event Center in Trout Creek. The ball is a fundraiser for the Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA). The TCCIA raises money for the park, its yearly events and maintenance. The nonprofit organization also supports several community needs that encompass western Sanders County, according to project organizer Liz Stender. She said money is given to local schools as sponsorships for sports and...
Common financial scams in Montana is the topic of a special presentation set for March 27 at the Thompson Falls Senior Center. Speaker Blaire Stapleton is the Investor Education and Public Outreach Coordinator for the Office of the Montana State Auditor Commissioner of Securities and Insurance in Troy Downing’s Helena office. Common financial scams can include romance, phone, internet and crypto currency. “We will discuss ways for adults including seniors to avoid ponzi schemes, and the like,” Stapleton said. Crypto currency is a big issue...
The seventh annual Project ASCENT Winter Carnival was held Saturday at Thompson Falls High School. ASCENT stands for: Adventure. Science, Community, Education, Nature, Teamwork. Several families came out to play games, eat food and win prizes. Kendra Helvey volunteered to run the registration table. The games and food were free for kids and adults paid $5 to eat lunch. "Local businesses sponsored the games," Helvey said. All proceeds went to Project ASCENT. Each game booth had a sign with the...
A semi truck hauling potting soil wrecked last Thursday morning near mile marker 9 on Highway 28. Hot Springs Fire and Ambulance responded. The Sanders County Sheriff's Office said there were no injuries to the driver and no road blockages. Several bags were scattered alongside the road. Amy Gray with the Hot Springs Fire Department said that the semi was heading toward Hot Springs when the driver encountered icy road conditions causing the truck to jack-knife. "Luckily the driver was fine and...
BYRON WOODS, Hot Springs - “I would prefer riding my mountain bike in the woods over shopping any day.” GERALD CHOUINARD, Hot Springs - “I would much rather go for a walk in the woods, for sure. I can’t stand big store shopping.” ERICA CANNON, Hot Springs - “I’d rather be out in the woods.” KARA CHRISTENSEN, Hot Springs - “I would rather be in the woods than shopping.” CARRIE FISHER, Hot Springs - “I’d rather be in the woods. I love nature and am not a big shopper.” CHASE DEPOE, Hot Springs - “I would rather be out in the woods than shopping...
A discussion on energy changes and challenges was conducted at the Paradise Center last Sunday. The three guest speakers gave presentations, and answered questions, to a packed house. Several topics on current energy sources and future plans were explained at the nonpartisan forum, which was sponsored by the Sanders County Democrats. Dr. Steve Running from the University of Montana has focused his career on creating ways to better understand the impacts of climate change and current energy...
The Hot Springs coffee shop previously known as Coffee Hound has been reopened as Bru Coffee by owner Lori Tapani. Tapani recently moved back to Montana from Washington. Bru Coffee opened its door on February 5 in the Wall Street Building at 101 Wall Street. "I grew up in Hot Springs but was living in Battleground, Washington. Years ago I almost opened a coffee shop there, but just before signing a lease, I found out I was pregnant." Tapani said she opted to not take on a business at that time....
SARAH BACON, Post Falls, ID - “Gotta have my coffee in the morning.” ANDREW SPYCHALLA, Post Falls, ID - ”I need at least one cup of coffee in the morning.” PETE OAKS, Plains - “Give me my coffee!” TODD HAYES, Plains - “It’s coffee for me every morning.” DEANA HAYES, Plains - “It has to be Vahalla’s Death Wish coffee for me every day.” KRISTY HERNANDEZ, Plains - “I drink coffee morning, noon and night. It’s my beverage of choice, not for the caffeine but for the flavor....
Lillian Laws was born December 17, 1924, in Bigfork, Minnesota. "My dad was Harry Henry Gravelle. My mom was a LaBlanc. Both of their families were from France, then migrated to Quebec. My mom never learned to speak English," Laws said. Her grandfather was a Native American agent for the Cree Nation. Lillian's family moved to North Dakota to farm. The locusts came and destroyed everything, she recalls. "We went to my mom's brother's home in Sandpoint, Idaho. My uncle Arthur was a dray line deliv...
The Blue Slide Parlor hair salon opened recently by owner Ai Moore. Ai and her husband Brian built the salon on their property, where Brian grew up. "Ai designed the building herself," Brian said. She wanted an A frame due to the amount of snow they get and for the looks. Ai also decorated the interior and helped build the cabinets. The walls are white with macrame hangings that Ai made. Dark blue is found throughout the furniture and artwork. "I like blue and I watched videos on how to do...
DANALEE DAVIS, Plains - “One year I received flowers from a supposed secret admirer. I learned later they were from my brother and my mother. I never told them that I knew it was them.” KAYLA LILJA, Plains - “This year’s gift to my husband. He has been wanting a new bathrobe, so I am giving him one with chocolates and a framed photo of our son.” CLINT LARSON, Plains - “My gifts that I give to my wife every year, of flowers and a special dinner.” RICH COTTE, Plains - “My wife is the best gift that I have ever received for Valentine’s Day...
After several months of delays due to construction, the Dollar General opened its doors at 1902 East Main Street in Thompson Falls on February 2, according to the headquarters main office in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Their press release announced that the company is proud to serve as America's neighborhood general store. It was founded in 1939 and claims to live up to its mission of serving others while providing access to affordable products. The company also states that they believe the addit...
The Cabinet Ridge Riders held their 33rd annual poker run Saturday and though there was a lack of snow down low, there was enough for riders at the higher elevations. Shellie Anderson with CRR said they were down riders due to the snow situation but still had 160 people sign up for the ride. Anderson said the riders reported that the ride was good considering the circumstances. The club has a total of 232 members with a couple more who signed up over the weekend. Riders played poker at $5 a...
The Sanders County Coalition for Families is doing their annual February Candle in the Window Campaign in Sanders County. The campaign is conducted by placing a candle in businesses throughout Sanders County for domestic violence awareness. Each candle is in honor of a victim who has lost their life. Kayla Torres, the community outreach and volunteer coordinator said, "There have been 248 fatalities in Montana between 2,000 and 2023." Five have been from Sanders County and eight have been from...
The Hot Springs fire department has a big job to fill with 800 square miles of area to cover. Fire Chief Randy Woods said their area is 45 miles from one end to the other. The area includes timber and grasslands on the western third of the Flathead Reservation. "We work hand in hand with the Salish Kootenai Tribal Council," Woods said. Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) has their management plan and fuel mitigation crew that burns slash piles in winter and block management burns in...
