Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 27
Governor Gianforte announced last week through a press release that public comment is being sought on Twentieth Judicial District court applicants. Five attorneys have applied for the position, which serves Lake and Sanders counties. Comments or letters of support regarding the applicants can be submitted until 5 p.m. February. 12. The five attorneys who have applied to fill the seat include John A. Mercer, Thane Patrick Johnson, Katherine Lace Kuykendall, Lacey Lorene Lincoln and Kelly P. McDonald. Members of the public should submit letters o...
Sanders County has received its first payment from the National Opioids Settlement. Public Health Nurse Kjirsten Mercer met with county commissioners this month in order to decide where the funding will be spent within the county. According to Mercer, the $63,000 received by the county will be one of many in the next several years. In August 2022, the state created the Montana Opioid Abatement Trust (MOAT) to administer funds received from the settlements. According to the state, the trust is expected to receive more than $75 million over the...
The Plains School Board agenda listed the school superintendent evaluation as a closed session, yet the first 30 minutes of Monday's meeting involved public comments on Dr. Kathleen Walsh, pro and con. "The superintendent is in breach of the contract for failing to meet the July 1, 2023, deadline to obtain a Class 5 superintendent's certification," said Betty Taylor, a retired Plains High School counselor. Taylor said that Walsh's failure to maintain the certification and endorsements rendered...
Photos by Linda Elliott Swans have returned to the Thompson Falls reservoir, presenting a contrast to the dark winter waters....
Trout Creek School recently received a donation to purchase a 12-passenger van for transporting students to and from sports and academic activities, as well as to transport staff. "Rehbein Ford in Plains was able to provide just what the school needed," said Principal Carolyn Nesbitt. "This has created a tremendous amout of enthusiasm from students, staff and parents a they look forward to using the van."...
The Thompson Falls City Council at its Monday meeting authorized the final payout for phases 1 and 2 of the wastewater treatment plant. The reimbursement request of $62,565.69 passed by the council includes the final payment to Razz Construction, as well as the city purchasing replacement parts for the system that public works staff can use to maintain the system in the future. The council also approved water project payments of $158,336.06 from an ARPA grant that included additional road mix material to complete the emergency water project on...
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I listen to a lot of podcasts about a variety of subjects. Recently I listened to a talk by historian Heather Cox Richardson who noted that most people who we celebrate in American history worked for equality. This week the country honored Martin Luther King, Jr., who took a nonviolent approach to fighting systematic racism faced by African Americans in the United States. His voice and leadership was ins...
Watching my kiddos play in snow and on ice, I remember feeling immortal. The confidence of youth that I wouldn’t fall, that if I did fall, I’d survive unscathed, that I would live forever. Now, officially into middle age, I’m fully aware of how fragile I am, how it takes much less than a fall on ice to damage me, how I can simply wake up having slept wonky and be in tender pain all day. It all happened so slowly that it feels like it happened over-night, one minute fine the next minute fragile, and yet it’s very clearly been a slow deterio...
6 YEARS AGO • JANUARY 22, 1920 VULGAR DANCES BANNED New York – Old fashioned keep-your-distance dances are to displace the modern jazz steps, if the nationwide reform movement undertaken by the American National Association of Masters of Dancing proves successful. The dancing masters, it is announced here, count on the support of mothers, fathers, sons, dance hall proprietors, dancing teachers and hostesses – and if necessary the police department – to exterminate the “half Nelson,” “body hold,” “shimmy lock” and other imported ballroom g...
Back in 2009 when Barrack Obama became President, and the Democrats controlled both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, he told the Republicans "elections have consequences". How true that was back then, but how true that is today. Only today the shoe is on the other foot and, yes, elections still do have consequences. There is plenty of whining and gnashing of the teeth right now from the very people who in 2009 laughed and chuckled when they heard how Obama said it. But now, it seems, many of those same people appear to have...
On January 18, 2025, by a unanimous vote of the precinct committee persons present and voting, the Sanders County Republican Central Committee (SCRCC) rescinded our committee’s endorsement of Denley Loge for public office and offers the following public explanation: Last year, Denley Loge of St. Regis, MT, filed as a Republican candidate for Montana Senate District #7, which encompasses Mineral County and portions of Missoula and Sanders County. Although we were aware that Mr. Loge’s track record as a former State Representative included vot...
Thanks to the Ledger, those who led and attended meetings in Noxon, word of mouth, and even Facebook, Sanders County is becoming informed about the dire state of the Noxon Bridge. The lifespan of our bridge is nearing its end. We are told that it has five years of life left if all drivers cross it at 10 mph and if vehicles over the weight limit stay off of it. As it is the lifeline to so many things as well as our connection to friends and family, we need to get serious about contacting our elected leaders who have the power and connection to...
As if we haven't had our share of setbacks, Noxon is experience theft and vandalism. A sign promoting rebuilding was taken, "FOR SALE" signs have been taken down or removed, and cones along property lines have been run over or placed elsewhere. It is very discouraging. There are many hard working volunteers in our community making our concern of Montana a better place; but, it takes all of us, working together, to promote growth. Joyce Hilt, Noxon...
Ambulance: T. Falls, 8; Plains, 8; Trout Creek, 4; Paradise, 2; Hot Springs, 2; Heron, 1; Noxon, 1. Monday, January 13 General animal call/complaint, T. Falls. Business contact, T. Falls. Motor vehicle crash, Plains. General animal call/complaint, Plains. Body found/coroner, Hot Springs. Suspicious activity, Paradise. Tuesday, January 14 Disturbance, Hot Springs. Motor vehicle crash, Plains. Disturbance, T. Falls. Business contact, T. Falls. Civil attempts, T. Falls. Civil attempts, T. Falls. Civil attempts, T. Falls. Road hazard/blockage, T....
Montana Highway Patrol Tony Doyle, 53, driving while privilege suspended/revoked, 2nd offense. Steven Ribeca, 40, operating with expired registration, $85; failure to carry/exhibit proof of insurance in vehicle, 1st offense, $275; speeding in a restricted zone, $125. Joshua Wiltfong, 23, seatbelt violation, $20; speeding in a restricted zone, $105. Joshua Lofthus, 40, careless driving, $85. Sanders County Sheriff’s Office Erik Sanchez Rodriquez, 30, violation in a construction zone, $75. Garrett Thornton, 39, day speeding, $20. Cael S...
BECK MACDONALD, Plains - “Turkey dinner.” JASON MORGAN, Heron - "Mac and cheese with ketchup and black pepper.” MADISON SMITH, Thompson Falls - “Pizza.” STEVE DIELS, Thompson Falls - “New York steak." AMY FICKLIN, Thompson Falls - "Burritos .” LOGAN CARBONE, Plains - “Minestrone soup....
A group of 4-H members from Sanders County spent four days horsing around in Colorado in a combination of work, education and play. Two 4-H members from Sanders County and two from Lake County teamed up to compete in the 4-H National Western Roundup in Denver from Jan. 8-11, including Mackenzie Tulloch of the South Side Sparks, Madison Chojnacky of the Trout Creek Mavericks, and Lina Sturman and Jaylynn Buxbaum of Lake County. Six hundred and ninety-five 4-H members from 160 clubs from across...
Members of the Sanders County Fair Commission held a special meeting last Wednesday to rectify a problem that could drastically cut into their fair profits. Even though it's only January and the fair isn't until the end of August, Chairman Randy Woods said they need to get a demolition derby contractor in place right away. "That kind of stuff needs to get out there right now so the guys can start planning for what they're going to do for the summer," said Woods. "It's one of those things we...
During a sentencing hearing last Friday before Judge John Larson, Kosal Chea was sentenced to 10 years in the Montana State Prison, with all that time suspended except the 491 days he served in custody and all probation conditions instituted as modified by the court. Chea, originally charged with sexual intercourse without consent, entered an Alford plea on September 25 to an amended felony charge of sexual assault, pursuant to a plea agreement between the parties....
Jeffrey "Jeff" Aldrich passed away January 10, 2025, at the age of 58 in Great Falls, MT, surrounded by his three children. He would often say "I'm not here for a long time, I'm here for a good time," with a smile. Jeff was born June 1, 1966, to Ray and Dixie Aldrich, joining his 5-year-old sister Heidi. Jeff always had a keen interest in all things mechanical and particularly motorcycles. He received his first motorcycle so young that his feet couldn't touch the ground while he was sitting on...
OVER THE HILL GANG W L Fun Team 41 31 Leftovers 38.5 33.5 Mixed Nuts 38.5 33.5 Com’bak Kids 38 34 Roll’n Along 36 36 Jokers Wild 24 48 Team Scr. Game: Fun Team, 964; Scr. Series: Fun Team, 2797; Hcp. Game: Com’bak Kids, 1103; Hcp. Series: Roll’n Along, 3205; Mens Inv. Scr. Game: Ron Beaty, 255; Scr. Series: Ron Beaty, 698; Inv. Hcp. Game: Ron Beaty, 258; Hcp. Series: Ron Beaty, 707; Wms Inv. Scr Game: Cathy Hummel, 193; Scr Series: Debbie Rolleri, 493; Inv. Hcp. Game: Suzanne Martin, 259; Hcp. Series: Suzanne Martin, 677. INDUSTRIAL LEAGUE...
Once John Waterbury of Hot Springs took the mat for the Savage Horsemen this year, he just kept winning. Waterbury won his second straight tournament last week, finishing first at 157 pounds in the Choteau Classic. The Savage Horsemen placed fourth as a team, collecting 139 points at the Classic. After a bye in the first round, Waterbury, a senior, pinned his first opponent in 1 minute, 13 seconds, before winning by technical fall 17-1. Waterbury pinned his semifinal opponent before taking the...
The Noxon basketball teams had a busy week, hosting Clark Fork on Thursday for a pair of home wins with the girls 42-30 and the boys 70-43. The Red Devils brought home another pair of wins from Two Eagle River on Friday (girls 36-35, boys 87-79) before traveling to Charlo on Saturday where the boys won 95-85 and the Noxon girls fell 58-21. NOXON 41, CLARK FORK 30 The Red Devils made fast breaks and quick points early against Clark Fork, allowing the Wampus Cats just one point in the first quarter. Clark Fork was able to find their groove and...
Thompson Falls nearly had a clean sweep in facing their preeminent adversaries last week on the basketball court with their girls junior varsity and boys and girls varsity teams claiming victories against Plains. The Blue Hawks captured a 72-41 triumph over the Horsemen on Friday evening with Bryson LeCoure collecting 16 points to lead his Thompson Falls team on their home court. The Blue Hawks were on fire from the start, quickly putting Thompson Falls in double digits in the first quarter...
The Lady Hawks hosted Kellogg Middle School on Thursday, January 16 and won 40-9, with Marley Robinson leading the way with 12 points, Kaydence Pavlik with 8 and Audrey Fairbank with 6. On Saturday, January 17 the Lady Hawks traveled to Plains to take on the Plains Trotters and Arlee Scarlets in two tough matchups. The Lady Hawks beat Plains 28-21, being led by point guard Audrey Fairbank with 13. They were able to hold Arlee scoreless in the second half, winning 25-15 against the Scarlets, again led by Audrey with 13 points. The Lady Hawks...
