Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Water may be a hot commodity in Montana, increasingly so during these dry summers and low snowpack winters. Sanders County residents who own property on the Flathead Reservation also must adjust to changing water restrictions. Ranchers concerned with irrigation restrictions in the Hot Springs area are faced with even more restrictions according to Koshon LaCounte, the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project North Division Supervisor. He said availability of water has affected allotments this year. “Winter has not replenished the water. It carried o...
HEATHER CANTU, Thompson Falls - “ I ignore them. I prefer to stay in touch with the daily local information that matters, like fires. Plus I don’t believe my vote actually counts.” GARY VANEK, Thompson Falls - “I think they are annoying and a waste of money and they are misleading.” ELIZABETH DE NOBLE, Plains - “I’m disgusted with them all and I believe that they are all lies.” MERLE JAQUES, Thompson Falls - “I don’t have an issue with them. They are a fact of life. They are necessary for getting the word out.” JOHNNY HEDAHL, Thompson Fall...
The Wild Coyote Saloon on Prospect Creek Road outside of Thompson Falls was hopping Saturday with spectators who watched the always popular lawn mower races. The annual Coyote Days event was advertised as a "howling good time." The lawnmower races began at 2 p.m. with the 14 participants completing time trials for placement in heats. Brad McGuigan from Thompson Falls has been running this portion of the event for seven years. "This year we have 15 mowers entered," he said. McGuigan was busy...
The Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce is rebranding to include all of Sanders County. Dennis Spurlock, the chamber president, has reported that the organization is now the Sanders County Chamber of Commerce. “We have the name change processed with the state. We are now Sanders County Chamber of Commerce Inc.,” Spurlock said. “We wanted to be more inclusive for the county since we’re all small rural towns. We can better support all our communities as a county chamber.” Spurlock, an insurance agent with Alera Group in Plains, said the chamber w...
The Woodside Park subdivision has been granted funds for a new water system and construction is underway after years of planning. Water district general manager Dan Briggs said the system was in bad need of replacement. "The system was built in 1978. In 1992 there were nine houses on the system. Today there are 42. The park has a capacity limit of 52 maximum," Briggs told the county when he made his pitch for a new water system in August of 2021. The subdivision sits on 40+ acres, according to B...
A home in Plains was destroyed last week by a fire. According to Plains fire chief Anthony Young, the Campbell residence on Meany Street caught fire around 4 p.m. last Wednesday, and could not be controlled for several hours. Young said the cause of the fire is not yet known. "I wasn't in town when it happened but my crew has updated me," Young said. His crew reported 50- to 100- foot flames in the air. There were reports of propane tanks that "went off along with ammunition firing from inside...
The Thompson Falls Chicken Jamboree resumed its annual festivities during the heat of summer with highs in the 100s. To add to the event and cool things down a bit, an ice cream wagon arrived for the first time to offer free cones and root beer floats. Ice creams such as huckleberry fudge and graham slam, made from graham crackers, were some of the many flavors to choose from. Koo Koo Sint Coffee also made its jamboree debut with free cups of coffee and bags of coffee to buy. Owners Sylvia and L...
The Paradise Center and a few Paradise citizens were featured in a short documentary that will air in the Netherlands on their Public Broadcasting System. The Dutch National Broadcast, Human Metropolis is going to consist of 15- minute segments in a combined documentary that will include two more countries, according to Missoula filmmaker Fuyuko Mochizuki, originally from Japan. “The film is a local reporter’s perspective of the world,” she explained. Mochizuki and her husband, John Enos Dicke...
EASTON DEAL, Thompson Falls - “I like to watch interesting action movies.” JAY DEAL, Thompson Falls - “ I have recently been introduced to audio books. I like listening to historical non-fiction books.” KATHY STANCIL, Blue Slide Rd/Canyon Ferry - “I prefer relaxing to a good mystery or romance novel.” KENNY STANCIL, Blue Slide Rd/ Canyon Ferry - “I like watching old Western movies.” CHARLIE MUNDAY, Trout Creek - “I enjoy relaxing and reading non-fiction books. That leads to taking a nap.” RACHEL MEYER, Thompson Falls - “Books all the way,...
The air was stifling as Thompson Falls City Council members met to discuss several issues with a full house last week. After months of discuss and changes, the council approved the second reading of the updated city zoning ordinance. With last Monday's vote, the changes will go into effect in 30 days. The zoning ordinance updates and changes created much discussion with public comments, mainly regarding yard fences on corner lots. The issue of blocked vision of traffic through homeowners' fences...
The office of Troy Downing, Commissioner of Securities & Insurance and Montana State Auditor, released a reminder to Montanans regarding protection during the fire season. Downing reports: On Wednesday July 10, 2024, the Horse Gulch Wildfire grew rapidly near Canyon Ferry Lake and claimed the life of a wildland firefighter pilot, Juliana Turchetti. “Our deepest condolences go out to this brave pilot, her family, and friends during this difficult time,” said Commissioner Downing. “We are grateful to all those putting their lives in danger to pro...
County commissioners welcomed the new Public Health Department Nurse, Kjirsten Mercer, during the quarterly Board of Health meeting last week. The agenda included variance requests and public comments. Presiding officer Commissioner Dan Rowan, informed all present that the meetings are now being recorded and video taped. Also present were Cassandra Ward, executive assistant, and new board member Catherine DeWitt, Sanitarian Jeremy Leavitt, Tina Scott, Environmental Health Tech and Chris McComas, Land Services. Of the two variance requests, the...
The Trout Creek Community Improvement Association through the Ridge Runners Poker Runs hosted a water event in Trout Creek on Saturday, the Paddlin' Poker Run. The poker run began at 11 a.m. at the Trout Creek Boat launch. Paddlers picked up their first and fifth cards at the launch. Stations to pick up their poker hands included Malibu Beach, Trout Creek Bay, under the train trestle, and Robinson's dock. The final card needed to be picked up by 4 p.m. but several kayakers and paddle boarders...
Trout Creek had a busy Saturday with the annual Cool Summer Nights Car Show and Swap meet going on for the first time in the city park. Over 50 cars were driven in from the surrounding area and states. Idaho and Washington were represented in the show that started at 9 a.m. and lasted until 3 p.m. The 406 Cruisers and Hot Rods club sponsored the event. The Western Sky Band played music throughout the day. Blondeez Country Food Truckin' from Noxon provided burgers and tacos. Ice cream and...
Kjirsten Mercer is the new Sanders County Health Department Nurse/Director, but she's not new to the county. She has grown up in Libby, Plains, and Noxon. "I graduated from Montana Tech in Butte with my nursing degree," Mercer said. She searched for the best options for nursing programs in Montana. "Tech is renowned for its National Council Licensure Examination, NCLEX, for registered nurses, and I had family members who were attending Tech as well," Mercer explained. Mercer graduated high schoo...
SHARON LAVERTY, Angel Fire, New Mexico - “Since I have been visiting Plains, we have had fun cooling off with the grandchildren and water guns with a five-gallon bucket.” JODI HERSHBERGER, Thompson Falls - “On a chair in the river.” BLAKE HERSHBERGER, Thompson Falls - “Cliff jumping in the river down Cherry Creek Road.” BRADY GULEZIAN, Ellensburg, Washington - “With a cold soda or smoothie inside with air conditioning.” DYLAN GULEZIAN, Ellensburg, Washington - “Sitting in a river fishing.” JACK KUSPERT, North Bend, Washington - “I coo...
Sanders County was treated to visitors from around the country as well as internationally who formed a peace run. Teams ran down highway 200 as they passed the torch in a relay of leap frogging men and women's teams. The Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run started in New York in April. The route turned south, north, then east to form a circle around the United States. The runners included Sanders County in their final west to east leg that will take them to Hot Springs and Kalispell before they...
Smoke Elser from Missoula has a story to tell. Several in fact, according to Eva Marie Maggi, who co-authored Elser's book Hush of the Land. Arnold "Smoke" Elser began his journey as guide and conservationist in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. In 1962, Elser worked as a hunting guide in the Bitterroot while attending college at the University of Montana in Missoula. Along the way he met many people and made many friends. Elser has taught packing classes at his home in Missoula. That is where Maggi...
JENN ALDRICH, Thompson Falls - “I like our small towns, but it is nice to have new convenience stores such as the Family Dollar and Dollar General.” TINA GLOSSER, Thompson Falls - “The residential areas have blown up. Not great for rising property taxes. But the county is still small and probably won't see the growth like Polson, where I moved from.” ROB JUMP, Arizona - “I do a lot of traveling. I came here for a family wedding. I enjoy small towns, even with low cell phone coverage. People are friendly.” TERI HATHAWAY, Trout Creek - “I moved...
Sanders County was buzzing Friday and Saturday as hundreds of residents and visitors hit the highways for the annual Sanders Saleing county-wide yard sale event. More than 80 people registered sales for the event, traditionally held the last weekend of June and sponsored by the Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce. Several other sales popped up throughout the county as well. Plains was buzzing on Friday and Saturday with busy yard sale traffic in and out of town. Peggy Mann, who lives on River...
For locally and naturally grown produce, the Waterway Community Sustainable Agriculture (CSA) roadside stand has fresh vegetables and other products available for self-serve purchases. Owner and operator Elizabeth Riffle has her farm on Fruitland Lane off highway 200. At the moment the stand has lettuce, Napa cabbage, kale, swiss chard, radishes, beets, broccoli, peas, and green onions. "Peppers will be ready by the first part of July," Elizabeth said. Her four year old granddaughter Olivia...
The cool early mornings are the best time to gather plants for salves and other healing uses. The birds are singing. It is peaceful and grounding. I walk through the woods on my property and in my yard to find the best plants for my healing intentions. So many have shown up this season. I have cultivated wild red clover in my yard as well as plantain and yarrow. I noticed this year that the self heal plant is growing better than previous years. The flat pointy leaves of lime green have grown in nice little circles with their flowers about...
A Trout Creek business is under new ownership, just in time for the busy summer season. Joyce Willis-Szeremi and Josiah Szeremi from Hood River, Oregon recently bought the Trout Creek Lakeside Motel and Resort. Less than a month ago the Szeremis began rebuilding the back deck and adding a convenience store to the lobby of the motel and gift shop. Besides new decking, the area is larger and has added wicker furniture and dining tables. "I could sit out here all day with this view of the lake," Jo...
Trout Creek School received a special gift toward the end of the school year. The school was gifted a Montana state flag that used to hang at the capitol in Helena. Principal Carolyn Nesbitt had the idea to procure the flag to replace the school's faded and worn Montana flag. "This is a great opportunity to show our community involvement and commitment," Nesbitt said. Representative Paul Fielder visited the school to give a speech the day the flag was raised, and then the students said the...
As the process to revise the plan for the Lolo National Forest (LNF) continues, Forest Service employees have conducted information gathering meetings throughout the region. Last week, LNF held a public meeting regarding the plan in Thompson Falls. Prior to the meeting in the elementary school cafeteria last Wednesday, LNF had received 1,400 comments regarding land use. A new interactive web map was provided to allow exploration of the plan revision proposed action, including a fact sheet. This information gave participants the chance to...
