Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Ainsworth Park in Thompson Falls is getting an upgrade thanks to a donation by a local company. At Monday's meeting of the city council, held in the junior high gym and attended by more than 30 people, Mayor Rusti Leivestad announced that Montana-Dakota Services, Inc. (MDS) of Thompson Falls is donating more than $100,000 for playground equipment for the park. The playground equipment will include two separate installations, with a large structure on one side of the park and some equipment suita...
After a relatively mild holiday season weather-wise, winter came to Sanders County this week, with more than 6 inches of snow reported in some areas. Road crews were busy clearing streets for residents as one business owner said they couldn't shovel fast enough on Thursday. School has been canceled in Thompson Falls, Noxon and Trout Creek for Friday, Jan. 12. The Thompson Falls wrestling team will not be traveling to Choteau and the Blue Hawk basketball games in Eureka set for Saturday have...
Still a bit on edge from hunting season, a whitetail buck takes his time going between houses west of Plains....
Sanders County businesses have been awarded funding to purchase electric buses. A press release on Monday announced that Thompson Falls, Trout Creek and Dixon schools will benefit from the Clean School Bus Program grants. Funding for the buses is from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). “In rural Montana, school buses are the vital link between families and the nearest school—and it’s critical that these buses are safe, up-to-date, and efficient,” said Senator Jon Tester. “I’m proud to see my bipartisan infrastruct...
The new Sanders County Sanitarian, Jeremy Leavitt, is learning the ropes with training in Helena and continuing classes as he takes on the responsibilities of his new position. Leavitt moved to Thompson Falls from Yakima, Washington, where he worked for a large produce company. Leavitt, born in Spokane, grew up in Wenatchee and went to pharmacy school in Eastern Washington. He sold pharmaceuticals when he finished college. "I have a strong background knowledge of environmental health and...
The first Friday of January brought a handful of children to the Thompson Falls Public Library for an hour of creativity. The first Friday craft hour has been happening at the library for about a year. Last week, kids created penguins out of styrofoam balls, markers, paper and googly eyes. The creativity didn't stop there, and after the penguins were done kids created Pokemon balls, basketballs, Minions and snowmen. Sunday Dutro started the first Friday craft time in coordination with the...
We're journalists, so we're curious. When we heard about the National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day event at Plains School, my reporter asked if I knew the history of the day. I didn't, so I started doing some research. It's a fantastic idea to honor law enforcement with a day and show them how much they are appreciated. It takes a special person to put your life on the line, not to mention the hours law enforcement works and the daily situations they encounter. So when I was doing my research, I stumbled upon the website...
The job of the City Council is to conduct the City’s business. We are responsible for facilitating the democratic process. To do this, we need to all be civil by respecting the rules. Recent attempts to hold meetings in venues other than City Hall have made our job next to impossible as the Council could not even hear themselves discuss among themselves. Monday’s meeting was a prime example of the difficulty by the entire gathering having to share one microphone. Total chaos. For this reason, future meetings will be held at City Hall. Rus...
It’s time to write something clever about the new year. Or at least something. We get an extra day in 2024, and we get to go through an election season. Oh, boy! Mudslinging, prevaricating, science-denying, character-assassinating, and false-promising will be colossal and maybe the most disgusting ever. I can hardly wait. For that and other reasons, I’m grateful not to have a television. It saves me time being enraged that I can spend on more important things, like trying to get something done on my house without some small disaster. Very rec...
4 YEARS AGO • DECEMBER 29, 1983 LEDGER LINES by K.A.E. The arrival of the New Year is traditionally a time for resolutions and a reflection on the past 12 months. Here at The Ledger, we’ve enjoyed a good year despite the complications that accompany any economic downturn as experienced by Sanders County. We have a lot to say thanks for and a lot of wishes to extend for the year ahead. Thanks to Leona Veach for her calls about the Bighorn being down and available for pictures. Thanks to all of the courthouse staff for the help they provide in...
ADAM HUTCHINGS, Thompson Falls - “I like to stay inside and play games unless there is snow for sledding.” MARY HUTCHINGS, Thompson Falls - “Reading a book with a cup of coffee, relaxing. Or taking kids sledding.” MICKI KEMPER, Thompson Falls - “Get up late, take a warm bubble bath, cuddle in front of the stove and watch TV under a warm blanket.” JULIE WELKER, Ronan - “Snuggled in my recliner watching TV if I’m not working.” DEBRA HOWARD, Plains - “In my recliner doing beadwork crafts watching television.” RANA ROOS, Plains - “Stay inside...
Anthony T. Worth appeared before Judge Molly Owen on Tuesday, pleading guilty to one felony charge of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, as well as three misdemeanor charges of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended/revoked, and a seatbelt violation. A jury trial was set for June 24, 2024. According to the filed affidavit, on November 23, 2023, Trooper Steven Spurr was patrolling Upper Lynch Creek Road near Plains when he observed a white box truck exceeding the posted speed limit. As he slowed his patrol vehicl...
Montana Highway Patrol Samuel Deal, Jr., 66, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Anton Lobanovskiy, 28, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Devon Lunsford, 50, day speeding, $20. Kyran Neer, 22, stop sign violation, $85. Sanders County Sheriff’s Office Jillian Hanson, 24, speeding in a restricted zone, $55. Christian Gingerich, 20, speeding in a restricted zone, $55. Motor Carrier Services Juan Ramirez, 35, failure to purchase trip permit immediately upon arrival in state, $85....
Ambulance: Plains, 11; Hot Springs, 4; T. Falls, 4; Trout Creek, 2; Heron, 1. Monday, January 1 Disturbance, Plains. Fire, Noxon. Child welfare/abuse, Heron. Suspicious activity, Plains. Suspicious activity, Plains. Tuesday, January 2 Suspicious activity, Hot Springs. Suspicious activity, Plains. Suspicious activity, Trout Creek. Welfare check, T. Falls. Intimidation/harassment. Civil attempts. Civil attempts. Intimidation/harassment, Plains. Wednesday, January 3 Assist motorist/citizen, Hot Springs. Disturbance, T. Falls. Civil attempts....
The eight-month-long Pinochle Marathon event which began in September and supports the GFWC Thompson Falls Woman’s Club Blanche Hurlburt Scholarship has reached its halfway mark. Notwithstanding the challenge of scheduling their monthly matches during the busy holiday season, several participants experienced big scoring hands during December. The 1500 Trump was held by the team of Cheryl Godfrey and Patty Hopkins and the team of Cathy Mills and Joni Mosher had 1000 Aces. The marathon has new leaders too. The team of Wendy Kelley and Jim H...
Bust out those snowshoes and trekking poles and fill your thermos with hot cocoa for free guided hikes this winter with Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness. Whether you’re new to snow hiking or a seasoned alpinist, the Friends have an adventure for you. The Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness offers free guided hikes year-round to get folks exploring every side of their wild backyard. And what a beautiful side it is! There’s nothing quite like the sight of white blankets covering the peaks and forests of the undisturbed Scotchmans. It...
The University of Montana has announced the list of students who made the fall semester Dean’s List or President’s 4.0 List. Double asterisks after a name indicate the student earned a 4.0 GPA. A single asterisk indicates a GPA greater than 3.5 but less than 4.0. Sanders County students include: Thompson Falls: Freedom Contreras*, Jeana Craven*, Scarlett Fausett**, Kelsey Frank*, Sofey Freed*, Levi Myers*, Marcy Shermikas*, Rebecca Sink*. Plains: Eyza Abbas Carrasco**, Kylee Altmiller*, Alexis Helterline*, Cree Lulack*, Nicholas Painter*, Vic...
“Elections: Integrity and Involvement” will be the theme of a bi-partisan forum Sunday, Jan. 14, from 2 to 4 p.m., at The Paradise Center. The forum will feature three presenters from a broad spectrum of political backgrounds. Jesse Mullen, Democratic candidate for Secretary of State, will report on the role of the SOS to continue to assure voters of the integrity of Montana's election process and the findings resulting from the state legislature’s 2023 Election Integrity Commission which confirmed the integrity of Montana’s election process...
A local business is under new ownership. Mickey Manning recently purchased Cindy's Throws. Cindy Bronner, originally from Ventura, California, moved to Thompson Falls about 30 years ago, according to Manning. "Cindy moved to Montana when online shopping became available," Manning said. That is when Cindy's Throws got started. In June of 2023, Bronner was planning to sell her business. Manning's accountant connected the two women. Manning bought the business from Bronner, who ironically...
The Forest Service invites the public to provide feedback on the Wilkes Cherry Project on the Plains/Thompson Ranger District, located south of Thompson Falls in Sanders County. This project includes a variety of management activities supporting vegetation, fuels reduction, road management, watershed improvement and recreation management on nearly 68,000 within the Wilkes Cherry and Cherry Creek drainages on the Lolo National Forest. The project includes activities that aim to reduce fuels, restore vegetation conditions, update existing...
It was the first square dance of the year for the Montana Mavericks at the Plains Paradise Senior Center Saturday and the floor was filled with colorful twirls, precise moves and graceful swaying. The traditional square dance apparel is normally western wear of colorful petticoats, circular skirts, denim jeans, and long sleeve plaid shirts, but the Montana Mavericks dance this night wasn't the typical square dance style - it was the Roaring 20s theme - and the dance floor was filled with the...
The Plains boys and girls basketball teams had a clean sweep in games against Noxon Friday evening at Plains. The Horsemen junior varsity boys first dispatched the Red Devils 44-24, followed by the varsity Horsemen, which claimed a 74-39 finish, and then the Plains Trotters defeated the Lady Red Devils 36-25. Lady Red Devil varsity head coach Cory Brodmerkle was confident her girls would break their losing streak and get their first win of the season, but the Trotters had a different idea and...
MISSION 54, THOMPSON FALLS 38 For the first home game after the holiday season the Lady Hawks faced the Lady Bulldogs of Mission falling 54-38. Mission was quick to win the jump off gaining the first points, before sophomore Gabi Hannum was able to get the first basket for Thompson. Both teams would go point for point until a Mission foul would put Annalise Fairbank on the free throw line, allowing the Lady Hawks to take the lead. Swiftly the Lady Bulldogs were able to gain the lead once again...
The Savage-Horsemen and the Blue Hawk wrestling teams traveled to the Cut Bank Invitational last weekend. Thompson Falls had two wrestlers get to the podium, including senior Max Hannum in second and Weston Block in fifth. The Savage-Horsemen had four wrestlers place, including Johnny Waterbury, who finished second at 152 pounds. Plains-Hot Springs took third and fourth at 138 pounds, with Drew Carey pinning Beau Crabb in the consolation final, and Matthew Thurston placed fifth at 113 pounds. Hannum, wrestling at 182 pounds, won his first two...
HOT SPRINGS 46, SUPERIOR 35 The Savage Heat hosted the Superior Bobcats in the first home game after holiday break, taking the win 46-35. Nick McAllister led with a stunning 22 points, Quincy Styles-DePoe behind him with nine, and Ben Aldridge rounded it out with nine for Hot Springs. SUPERIOR 42, HOT SPRINGS 31 The Lady Savage Heat took on the Lady Bobcats of Superior, falling 42-31. No results were given to the Ledger at this time. SEELEY-SWAN 43, HOT SPRINGS 21 The Savage Heat took on the...
