Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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by Shannon Brown The Plains school board met on Monday to discuss events that occurred during the past month with reports from Superintendent Walsh and the principals. Dr. Walsh started by commenting on the trunk or treat on Halloween at the school parking lot. “It was a huge success. Children who live out of town and don’t always get to come in for trick-or-treating got to participate. There was great energy with all the decorated trunks and ambulance and the sheriff. The staff did an amazing job. It helped bring the community tog...
The Plains 6-8 grade students were treated to a special assembly by Chris Hyslop last week. Hyslop came from Missoula to show slides of his trip to Ukraine last summer. Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Walsh asked Hyslop to talk to the students last Tuesday to give them insight into some of what is going on in the world. "This is a great opportunity for you to have Mr. Hyslop in Plains to talk about his experiences," Walsh told the students gathered in the gymnasium. Hyslop told his story with a...
RYON NOLAND, Plains - “I have and it was amazing. Seven jumps in Missoula when I was in high school.” KAREN WILLOUGHBY, Paradise - “No I haven’t and I would not because I am afraid of heights.” KNEON ORTEGA, Hot Springs - “I would go skydiving because I really like being up in the air with a jetpack and parachute.” ELIJAH CAMPBELL, Hot Springs - “Absolutely not. I’m afraid of heights and parachute failure.” WYATT CAMPBELL, Hot Springs - “I would not. I am afraid of heights and things that are taller than me, and too many things could go wrong...
Schools and organizations throughout Sanders County honored veterans at various events last week. At Noxon School, veterans were invited to a special assembly on Thursday. High School History teacher Bart Haflich welcomed everyone to the sixth Veterans Day assembly. High school seniors narrated the with history of Veteran's Day and introductions of speakers. The high school band and choir performed under the direction of Sari MacArthur while Rob Viens accompanied on the piano. The band played...
Local high school students got a lesson in resiliency at a presentation last week in Thompson Falls. Thompson Falls High School welcomed speaker John Parker Monday, October 30. Parker is a motivational speaker who is the president of his own company called People 1st. His motto is “Discovering Purpose and Unleashing Potential.” Police Chief Chris Nichols served with Parker in the military and is familiar with his work. “I wanted him to come to Thompson Falls to speak to our high school stude...
MARLAINA MOHR, Thompson Falls - “I am indifferent, but I like light in the morning.” BETHANY BURK, Thompson Falls - “I don’t want it to continue. I get confused on whether to turn the clocks back or forward.” CELLA VANHUSS, Thompson Falls - “I don’t understand why we have it so I guess I do not want it to continue.” ARLENE MACK, Thompson Falls - “I like the extra hour in the Fall, but don’t like losing it in the Spring.” JAN KELLEY, Thompson Falls, - “I’d like it to fall back and stay there.” STEPHANIE ASHFORD-BROWN, Clark Fork,...
The Thompson Falls School Board met on Monday to discuss a possible soccer cooperative with Plains Schools. Chairperson Sandra Muster opened the meeting with a reading of the procedures involving public comments. She reiterated the rules of conduct the public is required to abide by during the Public Comment portion of the meeting. “It has to be done periodically,” Muster said. As a reminder for anyone new to our meetings, she added. Plains Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Walsh and Plains School Board member Ellen Childress attended the mee...
The AVA Law Group from Billings has entered into a contract with victims of the River Road East fire. More than 13 plaintiffs will be represented in a lawsuit against the defendants, Montana Rail Link, Inc. and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company. According to Ava Law, the trial will be held in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Missoula Division. “Several of our clients have lost everything they owned. Their homes. Their belongings,” Teague Westrope of AVA Law Group said. He added that whichever railway is...
This was the first year for the trunk-or-treat at the Plains Schools. The Honor Roll and Business Essentials class put on the event, teacher Kati Mitchell said. The Sanders County Sheriff's Office and Plains Community Ambulance particpated as well. There were monsters and aliens and zombie cheerleaders among the costumes. As students visited stations, DJs Alex Horodyski and Keegan Huffman kept them entertained and dancing. The Long Term Care facility in Plains held its second annual trick or...
Governor Greg Gianforte was in Plains last week to present an award to local businesses owners. Last Tuesday, Gov. Gianforte was at the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to honor the owners and operators of J. Shar Timber Harvesting for following the governor's active forest management goals. The nomination came from Marc Vessar, the Forest Practices Program Manager for DNRC. Jared Fitchett of Libby along with his brother Matthew and father Dan Fitchett run the logging...
October 23-27 was Red Ribbon Week throughout Sanders County schools. Schools chose their personal daily themes and slogans. Grades K-12 participated. In Plains, Monday was Camouflage Day: Hide from drugs. Students and staff were encouraged to dress up in the daily themes. Tuesday was Jersey Day: Team up against drugs, Wednesday was Red Ribbon Day: Wear red, Thursday was Western Day: Give the boot to drugs, and Friday was Wear Neon Day: Shine brighter than drugs. Kati Mitchell's Business...
Thompson Falls librarian Crystal Buchanan gave her fiscal yearly report to the board of commissioners last week. This included the counts for patrons who walk through the door and those who sign up for new cards, plus previous cardholders and checked out items. Computer usage was counted as well. “We had 27,600 individuals visit the library,” Buchanan said. There were 165 new members making the total 2,752. The library increased the number of items available for checkout by 863. This helped to create the total of 34,842 items that were che...
Thompson Falls was buzzing with activities Saturday as organizations celebrated the fall season. Thompson Falls Community Trails held its annual Trick or Treat, Move Your Feet event at the Power Park on Saturday.. Two races were held, including a one-mile fun run in costumes and a 5k. Runners were awarded prizes and a medal. The fifty-eight runners could run both races if they chose. They were given water, granola bars and bananas. The adults were given beanies for the cold and the children...
RICHARD MAGOFFIN, Thompson Falls - “I bring in plenty of firewood.” CODY SCHNEIDER, Thompson Falls - “We get out the warm clothes and gather lots of firewood.” SCARLETT BARNETT, Thompson Falls - “Buy new winter gear.” DESTINY ELDER, Thompson Falls - “I take out all my warm blankets and watch movies on cold days.” TIM NELSON, Thompson Falls - “I make sure the propane tank is full.” RON CHISENHALL, Thompson Falls - “Drink lots of coffee at Minnie’s and dress warm....
Ask anyone who has lived in the Hot Springs area for several years if they have heard of Hannah Flagg. Most have. Some have their own stories. In fact Hannah’s reputation expands beyond the lonely roads and buildings lost to fire or time that she is purported to frequent. This is the time of year when days are shorter and nights are dark and spooky with the anticipation of Halloween. Stories of spirits are told. Imaginations are piqued to heighten the atmosphere of the unknown. Stories are retold of ghosts, true or imagined, in the local folklo...
In February of 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine with the intention of escalating the war that began in 2014. Six months later Oleksandra Davydova, who lived on the eastern border of Russia and Ukraine in Kharkiv, said they still lived in fear. Now more than a year later, Sasha, a Davydova prefers to be called, has found refuge with a family in San Francisco. Sasha recently visited Trout Creek with her host family. Sara Edrington is the daughter of Trout Creek resident Patty English. "It was scary to...
There was boot scooting and toe tapping to music by the Western Sky Band at the third annual Rex Theater Spaghetti Western dinner and fundraiser last Saturday. Over 100 people bought tickets to eat spaghetti and meatballs, sign up for silent auction items, door prize and 50/50 raffles, along with a tattoo raffle, and live auction, for the theater's benefit. This year's fundraiser at the Elks Lodge netted between $13,000 and $14,000, Debbie Wilson with the Rex said. They are still waiting for...
The Lonepine General Store held a pumpkin carving day for the community last Saturday. Aaron Jolma donated 17 pumpkins for carving and the store gave out candy and cookies to participants. Adults and kids alike engaged in carving. Janet Bras gave her grandson Thomas from Ronan , a hand with his carving....
The Thompson Falls Trap Club has received a grant from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The grant will be used for improvements at the shooting range east of Thompson Falls. Public comments were submitted regarding the proposed improvement project. “The comments are done and there were four negative responses concerned with the lead content, and 21 positive responses,” said Seth McArthur with FWP. The grant has been awarded and contracts have been sent out, he added. An environmental assessment checklist by the MTFWP in Helena was conducted to...
The Sanders County Rocky Ridge Saddle Club held its season ending competition earlier this month at the Noxon saddle club arena. Twelve participants showed up on the chilly damp morning to ride their fuzzy furred-up horses through a seven-station obstacle course that was built to resemble trail riding. Obstacles included gate opening, backing the horse around cones in a figure eight pattern, and tugging on toilet paper without tearing it. Classes included novice, various age groups, in-hand...
A new coffee shop is open in Thompson Falls. Scotchman’s Coffee is open on Main Street in the former location of Black Bear Deli and Bakery. They held their soft opening on Monday, October 16. Besides the coffee they roast, Scotchman’s offers baked goods made with flour from Granite Mills Farms, a flour mill in Trout Creek. Scotchman’s Coffee also has a location in Clark Fork, Idaho. “We currently roast our coffee in Clark Fork, but will eventually be moving to the shrimp farm in Noxon,” Robynne Gibaud said. She lives in Noxon. Stephanie...
There is a new alternative school in Trout Creek called Mountain Valley Academy. First day of classes was September 5. Alicia Wenz began the school as part of a lifelong dream. She and husband Preston moved to Montana in 2021 from Texas. Preston took the job as principal at the Trout Creek School. Alicia has a masters degree in curriculum and instruction with an elementary education endorsement. "I wrote my own curriculum for my school that is bible based, not science based. But, it isn't a...
by Shannon Brown and Annie Wooden Thompson Falls is once again searching for a mayor. Mayor Jerry Lacy submitted his letter of resignation last Thursday. "Due to health concerns I am no longer able to continue with the duties of mayor of Thompson Falls," Lacy wrote in his resignation letter. "I apologize for any complications my leaving may cause." Lacy did not respond to a request for additional comment from The Ledger. The city will now accept letters of interest from residents interested in...
The festival for forest activities was held for the second year at the Mule Pasture in Thompson Falls, Saturday, October 7. "This is our second year of having this festival here," Juli Thurston of the MSU Extension Office said. Thurston said they scheduled it later this year hoping to accommodate more people. Education stations were set up and demonstrations were held for anyone interested in learning more about forestry, land use and management that included private land ownership. "We want it...
Limberlost Brewery was packed with interested citizens last Thursday as Fish, Wildlife and Parks Wildlife Biologist Zack Farley gave an update on a local elk study. “FWP started a three-year study in early 2023 to try to determine the cause of decline in elk harvests,” Farley said. He has been a biologist with FWP for one year. Thompson Falls is Farley’s first assignment. The presentation covered the areas of hunting district 121. “It includes everything northwest of Thompson Falls to the state line and up to Bull Lake, then north to the Cab...
