Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Monday night's meeting of the Thompson Falls City Council was the most well attended and also the longest in the last five years. At the end of the three-hour meeting, the city had a new mayor. The council unanimously voted to appoint Rusti Leivestad to the position of mayor after the three-hour council meeting, which included 1.5 hours of interviewing three candidates for mayor. Nearly 100 people attended the meeting, held at the Thompson Falls Community Center. The meeting started with acting...
"No election, new mayor," said Plains Mayor Chris Allen at last week's town council meeting at City Hall. Joel Banham will be the next town mayor as of January 1 and he didn't have to go through the electoral process because he was the only person to file for the position, said Allen, who added that another man had planned to run, but didn't get his proper paperwork to the attorney general's office. With Banham running unopposed, the town had the option of saving a few thousand dollars and not...
It was two minutes before World War I was to officially end, but that didn't stop Pvt. Henry Gunther from storming a German machine gun position. He was shot dead, the last American soldier to die in the four-year conflict. The Allies and Central Powers had already decided that the war was over on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m., which is why VFW Post 3596 conducts the annual ceremony at that time, said Ron Kilbury, commander of Post 3596. "We gather here today at the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day, of...
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...
There are certain things that are just better in small towns, as we all know. That's why we live here. The latest example was seen countywide last week as businesses, organizations and schools honored local veterans. These local groups offered free burgers, beers, coffee, lunch, dinner and quilts to veterans last week in observance of Veterans Day. It's always interesting to attend an event recognizing veterans and realize the people we see every day at the grocery store, bank or post office gave part of their life to serve our country. There...
Letter to Editor We in Thompson Falls lost such a special man this past week with the passing of Don Burrell. Don devoted his life to his family and helping others. He was an active member of local organizations, and there was never a Sanders County Fair that Don didn’t work so hard in heat, dust and often smoke. But the most inspiring qualities that define Don are his kindness, his willingness to do whatever was needed to help people. Don was the most giving and caring of men. He exemplified qualities that we should all hope to have. I’m sur...
We’ve been arguing forever about how we became a species. Some don’t argue, true. They just believe one way or another, or accept that they will never know. These relatively rare subjects are happy to be at peace with the question. Maybe they know that their vision of the Spirit is nobody else’s business. Some Higher Power may be hanging around, but I have no idea what It’s up to, though I often ask It favors. As vague as my vision might be, I’m OK with it. When folks come knocking with their answers, I ask if they’re happy in their faith...
9 YEARS AGO • NOVEMBER 8, 1933 THOMPSON TO HAVE AN AIRPLANE LANDING FIELD Nick Mamer of the North West Airways was in Thompson Falls two days this week, establishing a temporary emergency landing field for high speed planes. The present Thompson Falls landing field is inadequate for the large high speed planes. A lease has been obtained from J.B McGurk and all markers and necessary leveling on the run-way has been arranged for the Forest Service and Chamber of Commerce which when completed will make one of the nicest landing fields between Mis...
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...
Ambulance: T. Falls, 6; Plains, 4; Trout Creek, 3; Hot Springs, 3; Heron, 1; Noxon, 1; Dixon, 1. Monday, November 6 Livestock, T. Falls. Fire, Heron. General animal call/complaint, Hot Springs. Body found/coroner, Trout Creek. Suspicious activity, Noxon. Theft, Noxon. Assist other agency, Plains. Request for welfare check, Noxon. Motor vehicle crash, Perma. Trespass, Plains. Civil attempts. Civil attempts. Body found/coroner, Trout Creek. Fire, Trout Creek. Fire, Trout Creek. Business contact, T. Falls. Business contact, Plains. Business...
Appearing before Judge Molly Owen on Tuesday, Raymond Lee Horn entered a plea of guilty to a felony count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute, pursuant to a plea agreement with the State. Judge Owen ordered the preparation of a pre-sentence investigation report and set sentencing for January 9, 2024. Anthony Duane Henkel came before the court for a change of plea following a plea agreement reached with the State. Henkel pled guilty to one felony count of partner or family member assault, 3rd or subsequent...
Montana Highway Patrol Jeanette McDonough, 56, speeding in a restricted zone, $65. Shayden Friedlander, 20, operating without liability insurance, 1st offense, $285. Peyton Pate, 16, possessing intoxicating substances while under age 21, 1st offense, $185. Nesked Ramirez Mendoza, 40, speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Marc Starostka, 54, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Nicholas Soul, 52, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Shane Wooddell, 50, speeding in a restricted zone, $65. Shannon Arnold, 49, day speeding, $20. Toby Hayes, 23, day...
Sanders County Democrats hosted a "Friend-Raising Fair" on Sunday at The Paradise Center, welcoming several state candidates. Among the speakers Sunday at The Paradise Center were U.S. House of Representatives candidate Monica Tranel, State Superintendent of Schools Candidate Shannon O'Brien, and gubernatorial candidate Ryan Busse. Monica Tranel is running against Ryan Zinke to represent Montana in the U.S. House of Representatives and has made several appearances in Sanders County recently. "It...
Five people from Sanders County - four women and one man - applied for the Sanders County Fairgrounds manager position, said Rich Wallace, the county's director for Human Resources. Wallace and the members of the fair commission planned to interview the candidates this week, followed by a special meeting to discuss the candidates and select one. Wallace said the candidates' names could not be released at this time. The board decided to hold off on hiring an administrative assistant or...
Plains High School honored its local military veterans last Thursday with patriotic music, a special meal and a celebration of gratitude. More than a dozen veterans from five of the six military branches - no one from the newly created Space Force was present - took part in the event put on by the school each year. This year, however, the school treated the veterans to a luncheon, something they hadn't done for the past three years. The luncheon was made by 30 students from the Family and Consum...
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...
The Plains Town Council meeting was less than an hour, but its members discussed several issues, passed on a lot of information, tabled three items, and dismissed an item of new business that was found to be unnecessary. Mayor Chris Allen said the town has an opportunity to get an $87,000 grant with 25% matching funds from the state. Allen said he'd like to see the council apply for House Bill 355 Grant, but they would have to do it by the end of the year. The grant could be used for several...
Barry Owen Lyght of Thompson Falls was born August 12, 1992, in Ronan Hospital to Trent and Patti Lyght. He was their first child; they later had a second son, Ryan Ethan. Barry passed away on Sunday, November 5, 2023, in a one-car rollover in the Billings area. Anyone that knew Barry knew his first love after his family was fishing, fishing, fishing, and then hunting, camping and trapping. He was a real "outdoorsman". He was a very happy man and had lots of friends. Barry went to school K-12 in... Full story
Frank Chema, 87, of Trout Creek, Montana, passed away surrounded by his family on November 8, 2023. Frank was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, where he joined the military at the age of 17. While home on leave he met the love of his life, Grace, they had a brief romance, were married and together they raised four children. Frank is survived by his daughter Becki Weidner (Curt) of Texas; son Gregory Chema (Shelly) of Missoula; daughter Laura Bloom of Missoula; daughter Cynthia Syrjala (Tim)... Full story
With only two licensed child care providers in Sanders County, finding child care can be difficult for local families. A new program is looking to help provide solutions for residents needing child care. Sanders County was selected to participate in a program with Montana Child Care Business Connect. The goal of the Community Child Care Capacity-Building Cohort Program is to engage communities and help identify solutions to increase the supply of child care. Zero to Five Montana is a statewide...
The Thompson Falls community enjoys a wealth of natural landscapes. From waterfronts to city parks to public forests like the Mule Pasture, these spaces are unique opportunities that locals treasure. And now, the United States Forest Service (USFS) wants to offer another natural outdoor space to the community. Known as “The Orchard” by locals, the 150-acre parcel is a former USFS plantation. No longer being managed for that purpose, the agency is exploring ways in which this land could benefit the community. The Orchard is located close to dow... Full story
GROSS GROSBEAK – The messy face makes for a gross beak for the female pine grosbeak, which had hit the jackpot of a crabapple tree just west of Plains. A messy face doesn't seem to bother her as she moves from berry to berry, sampling a little from each one. She was soon joined by four other pine grosbeaks, all females. According to the Montana Field Guide, the pine grosbeak, which is part of the finch family, is relatively common across the state. The male has a more reddish color with some y...
Teammates were now competitors, competitors now teammates as Mission High School hosted the 2023 volleyball all-star game. Twenty-three girls from eight schools (Mission, Arlee, Hot Springs, Polson, Two Eagle River, Plains, Charlo and Ronan) came together forming two teams, the Lights and the Darks. While a score was being kept, the real winners were the crowd watching intense volleys, near perfect set assists, and powerful spikes. But more importantly the crowd got to see laughs, mistakes, and...
Camp Bighorn in Plains launched a new fall sport for kids in grades third through seventh in the form of a climbing team. Partnering with Plains Elementary for transportation, the kids rode the bus after school to Bighorn where they were broken up into four teams, consisting of eight kids per team. Twice a week the climbers learned and practiced their climbing skills on Bighorn's newly finished outdoor rock climbing wall. With four ropes and multiple routes the climbers were never bored, even...
by Michael Scharfe Last month I touched on the different types of refinancing. This month, I am going to go over the rate/term refinance in more detail. When doing a rate/term refinance, it is a good idea to weigh the benefits, as well as the costs. With the additional closing costs, the extended term (unless you do a shorter term) and, depending on the amount of payment savings you have each month, it may take some time for you to feel the full benefits of the refinance. For instance, a $250,000 loan at a rate of 7.50% on a 30-year mortgage...
